[Test Drive] Volkswagen 'The New Tiguan,' the Epitome of Basics Returning with Great Value

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] The Volkswagen Tiguan, a sports utility vehicle (SUV) beloved by drivers for its solid fundamentals, has been newly launched as the second-generation facelift model named 'The New Tiguan.' Following the introduction of the Jetta in the 20 million KRW range and the T-Roc in the 30 million KRW range, Volkswagen has priced The New Tiguan in the high 30 million KRW range, offering cost-effectiveness that allows it to compete with domestic compact SUVs.

The New Tiguan is the first vehicle released in Korea under Volkswagen's 3A strategy, which aims to make imported cars more accessible (More Accessible), reduce maintenance costs (More Affordable), and apply more advanced safety equipment and convenience features (More Advanced).

On the 9th, I test drove The New Tiguan 2.0 TDI Prestige trim in Metallic Platinum Gray for a round trip of 70 km from Cheongdam-dong, Seoul to Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. Although the exterior and interior retained a somewhat rugged look without major changes, several elements were newly arranged to create a sense of luxury. First, the front radiator grille changed from three bars to four, and the headlamp design evolved from a rounded shape to a sleeker look. At the rear, the 'TIGUAN' lettering is prominently displayed, making the car easily recognizable from a distance.

Inside, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster displays various driving information graphically. The infotainment system, MIB3, supports wireless smartphone charging as well as wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functions. The Prestige trim features IQ.Light LED matrix headlamps with an intelligent control function called Dynamic Light Assist, which optimizes lighting to illuminate a wider road area at night without affecting the visibility of other drivers, providing excellent visibility during nighttime driving.

Additionally, ambient lighting capable of displaying over 30 colors creates a stylish interior atmosphere even at night. The second-row seats offer ample space for an adult male to sit comfortably, and they can slide forward and backward to enhance ride comfort. Moreover, temperature control is available in the second row, making it suitable for use as a family car. The trunk space is comparable to recently released compact SUVs, though it is somewhat disappointing that the second row does not fold completely flat.

The New Tiguan is far from a high-performance, high-output vehicle, but it is a well-rounded car that performs well within highway speed limits according to the driver's wishes. The engine delivers a maximum output of 150 horsepower (3000?4200 RPM) and a maximum torque of 36.7 kg·m (1600?2750 RPM), enabling efficient driving in various conditions. It is equipped with a 7-speed DSG transmission. Even when driving on highway ramps, the vehicle showed excellent cornering stability without any feeling of being pushed.

Volkswagen emphasized eco-friendliness and fuel efficiency despite The New Tiguan being equipped with a diesel engine. The EA288 evo engine installed in The New Tiguan features twin dosing technology with two catalytic converters that reduce nitrogen oxides by 80% compared to the previous generation. The official fuel efficiency is a respectable 15.6 km/l. Except for heavy traffic in Gangnam, the fuel economy consistently matched the official rating. However, at low speeds, the vehicle felt somewhat heavy and slightly sluggish, and the characteristic noise and vibration of the diesel engine were strongly noticeable.

The New Tiguan Adaptive Cruise Control

The New Tiguan Park Assist

Volkswagen paid considerable attention to the advanced and convenience features of The New Tiguan. All trims come equipped with 'Travel Assist,' which maintains speed and lane position by considering the distance to the vehicle ahead. Integrated systems such as adaptive cruise control, lane assist, and side assist use front cameras, radar, and ultrasonic sensors to support safe and convenient driving. The 360-degree surround view monitor and Park Assist are useful features, especially for novice drivers when parallel or reverse parking. However, while lane departure prevention assist (Lane Assist) is included, there is no lane keeping assist function, which may cause some fatigue during long drives.

The MIB3 system includes voice recognition technology, but it failed to recognize commands more often than it worked properly, indicating room for improvement. Additionally, the navigation system does not immediately find alternative routes when the driver leaves the designated path but instead returns to the original route, which can be inconvenient. Furthermore, the rear blind-spot warning light installed on the side mirrors uses an orange bulb-type turn signal that is difficult to distinguish by color, requiring drivers to look longer at the side mirrors during nighttime driving, which can be inconvenient.

The New Tiguan is priced at ▲2.0 TDI Premium 40.05 million KRW ▲2.0 TDI 4Motion Premium 42.42 million KRW ▲2.0 TDI Prestige 43.80 million KRW ▲2.0 TDI 4Motion Prestige 46.46 million KRW. However, using the Volkswagen Financial Services program offers a 5% discount, and cash purchases receive a 3.5% discount. Including the reduction in individual consumption tax, the new Tiguan Premium can be purchased starting from the 38 million KRW range. Notably, New Tiguan customers receive a 5-year or 150,000 km warranty extension program and a total accident repair care service that covers up to five instances of deductible-free insurance repairs at official service centers.