2014 Volkswagen Tiguan

In the reference to the context, the Volkswagen Tiguan is launched in four trims among which one is the newly joined member. As far as tech-end is concerned, the Media Device Interface is available across all the trims along with the Speed Compensated Volume Control. For a generous feel, the SE has been packed with the V-Tex Leatherette Seatings inside the cabin. This even gets better with the power sunshade which is fixed on the roof of the SEL trim. The 9 Fender Speakers with 400w Regular Amplifier have been enshrined in the all-new R-Line as well.

The genuine features are important as they reflect the real evaluation of the price tag. Volkswagen has tried to the best of its ability to be as relevant as it could be with the aforementioned. This is evident with its dynamics and safety gadgets which include the Sport Tuned Suspension, Audio Theft Deterrent, and Trailer Sway Control. The R-Line of the Tiguan has the in-built complex Navigation Unit also for better reaching. One can even be fascinated with the variation in the wheels which take different compositions for different trims.

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Keeping price, purpose, and performance, to some extent, in consideration, it makes a lot more sense to have SEL trim in your parking lot. The reason is simple for the fact that it has a better comfort zone for you to chill with as it has both the power-heating and automatic air-conditioning. The power sunshade and audio unit are other attractive chips to keep you involved within the cabin. Thus, one can cherish them at a reasonable rate with the SEL trim.

The fuel economy is not a forte of the 2014 VW Tiguan in any sense. Last in the queue with a return of a mere 18 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg overall makes it less desirable machinery if you are planning to have it for the next 6 years of operation. Such consumption will fetch you probably a compact hatchback. The portrait is not uniformly colored as it is an underdog in its range coverage as well with figures like 302 miles in the city and 436 miles on the highways.

But if you adjust your focal length then you might focus on the fact that the RAV4 is a supremo in this segment as well. Therefore, a juggernaut in acceleration and pick-up parameters along with pocket-friendliness with its economy, the RAV4 is a better trade, all in all, over the Tiguan. Not just the Toyota, rather the CR-V and Equinox are way ahead of the Tiguan with a gap of some 4 mpg. The least range among the rivals is 474 miles which are around 38 miles more than the former. 

In terms of ergonomics, there is nothing much to complain about. It has decent space for you to take in 5 people and drive them around comfortably. Nice cushioning with measured seat heightening gives you nice visibility and freedom to flex a bit. The V-Tex Leatherette Seating makes up for the smell and feel. The higher trims like the SEL and R-Line even have the privilege of power-heating and adjustment along with power sunshade. The interior temperature control is further taken care of by the Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning in the above trims as well. 

All of them have almost the same seating capacity and spaciousness but they get better with their cargo capacity while the Tiguan stagnates and loses itself into oblivion. 56.1 cu-ft might make up for your daily commuting but not for long hauling and trips. The motive of compactness is appreciated but compromise can’t be an outcome. Therefore, Tiguan needs to work on its deficit otherwise the gap will only widen. Apart from that, the other parameters are comparable and manageable. Some of the features are:

• Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
• Power-Heating and Adjustment 
• V-Tex Leatherette Seating
•  Power Sunshade

How intuitive is the 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan’s infotainment unit?

The Volkswagen Tiguan gets a Navigation System for its R-Line which is quite a complex algorithm with extreme preciseness. The other trims might not have it but they inherit some keynotes in their infotainment rhythm which includes the 9 Fender Speakers with 400w Regular Amplifier and SiriusXM. The standard Bluetooth Wireless Phone Connectivity and Radio Data System extend the list along with the Speed Compensated Volume Control and Audio Theft Deterrent. Some of the features are:

• Navigation System
• 9 Fender Speakers
• SiriusXM
• Bluetooth Wireless Phone Connectivity

The 2014 VW Tiguan is quite a case for it flows uniform throughout its curvature. Despite being an SUV, it does not appear bulky like its rivals. Thus, road presence is tick-marked in the checklist. Moreover, the dark accent coloring options are in the desired ratio with either the 18" New York Alloy Wheels or 16" Portland Alloy Wheels. The chrome-accented grille on the front along with the fender-mounted headlamps is also appealing in all senses. Even the rear has a lip spoiler which tries to add that sporty touch. And in the end, among all these arrangements, the glaring VW badging sits comfortably in the center.

The Tiguan gets full marks for its compactness. This challenges it in the interior placements but aids it in traffic. Thus, not mentioning this positive side of the Tiguan would be unjust on our part. But one has to admit that RAV4 outclasses it here as well, as it is almost parallel to the former with an exemplary cabin spaciousness and cargo capacity. In short, the Tiguan is compact but the RAV4 is better organized. The Equinox among all seems a little oversized for its own obvious reasons yet it is too to manage. Some of the features are:

• Chrome Grille
• Roof Rack Rails
• Programmable Projector Beam High-Intensity Headlamps
• 19" Mallory Alloy Wheels

The Volkswagen Tiguan is a decent performing SUV in the safety department with a 4-overall rating in the NHTSA crash test and a “Good” rating in the IIHS. Along with that, the combination of active safety aids is nothing less than icing on the cake as it has Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, and 4-Wheel ABS. But every coin has two sides and this coin certainly has. One of the drawbacks of this machinery is the lack of frontal prevention units which along with the deficit of higher rollover percentage risk makes the case a bit gloomy for it. Moreover, it has a scope of improvement in the driver cabin structural integrity as well. Some of the features are:

• 4-Wheel ABS
• Electronic Stability Control
• Traction Control
• Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Emergency Sos

It is not a bone of contention that the Volkswagen Tiguan is a worthy contender for being the top pick but till the time RAV4 is there in the market, the preference will always side with the latter only. There are a lot of improvements that are needed to bring about in the Tiguan and when that progress will be made, certainly there will be a proportionate shift in the influence as well. Therefore, it misses by a few inches to be a pick to be cherished.