Overall rating:

Cleaner engines, more safety equipment and a confident new restyle add appeal to VW's strong selling Tiguan compact SUV.

Key Facts

Pricing: £26,500 (estimated)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbodiesel
Transmission: six-speed manual, four-wheel drive
Body style: five-door compact SUV
Rivals: Audi Q3, BMW X1, Ford Kuga
CO₂ emissions: 158g/km
Combined economy: 47.1mpg
Top speed: 125mph
0-62mph: 8.9 seconds
Power: 168bhp at 4,200rpm
Torque: 258lb.ft at 1,750 - 2,000rpm

In the Metal:

'It's neat' was about the biggest compliment you could pay the previous VW Tiguan's style. The new car builds on that by adding some more flair, though just a little. There's a Touareg-aping front grille and lights, very in keeping with VW's current design language. It lifts the Tiguan from forgettable to something a touch more confident and striking. There are new rear lights too, these sharpening up the Tiguan's appearance further.

Inside it remains much the same as previously. That means simple to use controls, a high driving position and decent passenger space. The boot is not huge, but the interior feels and looks as well built and smart as you'd expect from a Volkswagen.

Driving it:

Like that predictably high quality interior the driving experience is much as you'd expect from a mid-life refreshed Volkswagen. Every version offers greater economy and lower emissions, refinement is high and it's all very easy and safe. There are new driver aids to make it more so, with a lane departure system helping maintain your trajectory on the motorway (it feels strange as the wheel squirms distractingly in your hands) and a driver fatigue detection system.

The engine range is sizeable, though all but a handful of buyers will pull up their Tiguan at the diesel pump. The 2.0-litre TDI engine is offered in three power outputs: 108bhp, 138bhp and the 168bhp variant tested here. It's smooth, though it needs at least 1,500rpm to move, the economy-minded gearing meaning you're busier than you might expect with the gearbox when trickling along in traffic. The steering is accurate enough yet lacking in feel, while the optional DCC adaptive chassis gives you a choice between comfortable or more sporting damping. An XDS electronic differential lock is also offered - like those adaptive dampers it's completely unnecessary.

It'll park itself if you've ordered an SE model or above, while the lower power diesels come with stop-start to improve economy. Overall it's highly competent, but it's forgettable too, lacking the verve of its key Ford Kuga rival on the road.

What you get for your Money:

Standard equipment across the range is decent, with all getting 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, a DAB radio and alarm. SE specification adds dual-zone electronic air conditioning, Park Assist, iPod and Bluetooth connection and a driver monitoring Fatigue Detection system as standard.

Worth Noting

If you're planning on taking your VW Tiguan off-road be sure to specify the Escape model, as it gains a more off-road friendly nose to allow a greater 28-degree angle of approach. The driver and 4x4 systems are also optimised for off-road conditions.

Summary

A big seller, and commendably good, the revised VW Tiguan brings a more distinctive look, more equipment, better economy and emissions and additional safety to the range. It's much the same to drive as its predecessor, which means competent if rather forgettable. Volkswagen has sold 600,000 since its 2007 introduction though, and the changes undoubtedly add some appeal.