The second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan has been previewed to the media at VW’s Sri Hartamas showroom and is also present at 1 Utama’s new wing for the public to check it out in the metal. It will be officially launched in a few weeks.

The new Tiguan sits on the VW Group’s modular MQB platform, which also underpins the Golf Mk7. It has a larger footprint than before, 60 mm longer, 30 mm wider, 77 mm longer wheelbase but the size increase comes with no weight penalty, as the new car is over 50 kg lighter than before. 


The boot volume is 615 litres, which can be expanded to 1,655 litres with the rear seats fully folded (one motion). The latter is split 60:40 and can slide fore and aft. Even the front passenger seat can fold flat forward for long cargo. Airplane style fold up trays with cupholders, mounted on the front seat backs, are available for the rear passengers.

The front-wheel drive SUV is powered by a 1.4 litre TSI engine with 150 PS hp and 250 Nm of torque available from 1,500 to 3,500 rpm. The downsized turbo engine is mated to a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The official claimed fuel consumption is 6.7 litres per 100 km (14.9 km/l) in the European cycle. The wet DSG6 has been used in higher-powered applications.


The Tiguan comes well equipped, with many of the goodies that made their debut in the latest Passat. Two trim levels will be available – Comfortline and Highline.

The entry Comfortline car is obvious from its 17-inch “Montana” alloys and black roof rails. Standard kit includes Park Distance Control (PDC, front and rear), auto lights and wipers and LED tail lamps. Inside, this Tiguan gets “Rhombus” fabric upholstery, Composition Media eight-inch touchscreen head unit (with Bluetooth, SD card, USB, AUX-in, eight speakers) and steering paddle shifters.


The Highline is fully stocked with equipment. You can tell it apart from the 18-inch “Kingston” alloys (235/55 Hankook rubber), silver roof rails and LED headlamps with LED daytime running lamps and Dynamic Cornering Assist. There’s also an electric tailgate that opens with a press of the key fob (not by kick) and which opening angle can be adjusted.

The top Tiguan also comes with a “Vienna” leather interior, 12.3-inch Active Info Display digital instrument panel, three-zone climate control (vents and controls for rear passengers), Park Assist 3.0 (parallel and perpendicular auto parking) and a Discover Media eight-inch touchscreen system with all of the Composition system’s functions, plus navigation and reverse camera. Ambience lighting, too.


The Tiguan scores high in safety. The SUV was named in Euro NCAP’s Best in Class Cars of 2016 list, topping the ‘Small Off-Roader’ category. Standard fit safety equipment across the range consists of six airbags (front, front side and curtain), a Driver Alert System (rest assist), ESC, ABS with brake assist, multi-collision brakes and Isofix mounts.


The Volkswagen Tiguan – which is CKD locally assembled in Pekan and Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) certified – has estimated pricing of RM 149,000 for the Comfortline and RM 169,000 for the Highline, excluding a limited early bird special offer of RM 7,000. It is now open for booking. Five colours are available – Pure White, Deep Black, Atlantic Blue, Tungsten Silver and Indium Grey.

Cr. : Paultan