- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
155kW, 280Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 8.8L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line quick spin
The car: Volkswagen Tiguan 155 TSI R-Line
The price: From $44,990 plus on-road costs.
Vitals: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol turbo; 155kW and 280Nm; 7-speed dual-clutch auto; 8.8L/100km; AWD.
What is it?
The top-line Volkswagen Tiguan, a sporty SUV spinoff with more power and sharper looks to tempt buyers with a sporting bent.
What it isn't?
A Volkswagen Golf R on stilts. Though it looks spunky and has a turbocharged engine, the 155kW Tiguan's R-Line treatment is somewhat watered down compared to the feisty 206kW Golf.
What does it say about me?
That you need a sensible family car but want to keep something of a sporting edge. And that you're attached to technology, which the Tiguan has in spades.
Who else is buying it?
People who want the best Tiguan in the range. The R-Line is one with the lot, the perfect machine for those with a fear of missing out.
What colours does it come in?
Customers can choose from all six colours on the fairly muted Tiguan palette, which includes white, silver, grey and black monotones along with Night Blue and Titanium Beige.
If it were a celebrity, who would it be?
Former tennis ace Kim Clijsters, a sporty European with family values who made "the mother of all comebacks" to win the US Open after retiring from the sport to start a family.
Why would I buy it?
It's a choice from left field, an interesting blend of practicality and zip likely to be an uncommon sight on the road.
Does it cost too much?
That's a tough question. As top dog in the Tiguan range, the R-Line isn't a bargain prospect. It has plenty of gear such as leather and sat-nav as standard, and represents reasonable value for its class. But it could be hurt by a sticker price $500 above the Golf GTI DSG – a car that remains the default choice for performance-oriented Volkswagen customers.
Will I get a deal?
We've spotted decent drive-away pricing deals on 2014 models. It's worth snooping around for a bargain.
Will it get me noticed?
Not really. Volkswagen's crisp R-Line body kit lends a dash of attitude to the fairly plain Tiguan shape, but the R-Line's 18-inch wheels don't really "pop" in a world where much larger wheels – such as the 21-inch items on the larger Touareg R-Line – are the norm.
Any gadgets I can brag about?
The headline item is Volkswagen's Adaptive Chassis Control, which allows drivers to tailor the car's suspension to various road surfaces. It's a nifty feature normally restricted to models such as the Golf GTI or Scirocco R, and a welcome addition here. Other extras include a clever front differential, the body kit and wheel treatment, a purposeful interior with satellite navigation and a more powerful engine than other models in the range.
How's the cabin ambience?
Somewhat sporty, thanks to Volkswagen's ubiquitous flat-bottomed steering wheel with gear shift paddles, alloy pedal covers and special seats trimmed in black leather upholstery with R-Line logos stitched into the headrests.
What's the stereo like?
Eight speakers pump out jams provided by a clever iPod-compatible touch screen stereo equipped with a 30 gigabyte hard drive along with CD, DVD and SD card inputs.
Does it go?
It scoots along well, thanks to a 23kW advantage over the next most powerful model in the range. An official 0-100km/h time of 7.3 seconds won't dazzle performance enthusiasts, but it's enough mumbo to make the Tiguan much more interesting than the average family wagon.
Does it like corners?
It's fairly nimble for a compact SUV, helped by that variable suspension which extracts moderate grip from its 235mm-wide tyres. Like most modern Volkswagens, the Tiguan steers accurately and is quite well mannered on the road.
What about bumps?
While firmer than its siblings, the Tiguan has a fairly well sorted ride helped by the ACC system that has a comfort setting for those who require cosy progress.
What about service stations?
Fuel economy of 8.8L/100km is not too bad for a petrol-powered all-wheel-drive SUV, though diesel alternatives are always going to offer an advantage here.
Would you buy one?
I can see the appeal, but it's hard to go past the Golf GTI as a practical machine with sporting cred. It's quicker, much more fun through bends and almost as practical with a longer wheelbase and slightly smaller boot.
What else should I consider?
Mazda's CX-5 GT is a similar machine with plenty of gear in an SUV package, and the turbocharged Subaru Forester XT offers similar pace to the rapid Volksie. Thinking outside the box, a Skoda Octavia RS wagon is another practical machine with poke that fits the bill.
The Spin
At the very peak of the revised Tiguan range, the 155 kW TSI powered Tiguan R-Line sits as a standalone model within the Tiguan family.
The Translation
The addition of the R-Line gear helps the flagship Tiguan to be a little more visible than before.