By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(July 10, 2017) It’s not that VW hasn’t been in the SUV market. It’s that it hasn’t been there with the right product. For years it has relied on the pricey (nearly $50,000) but capable Touareg to take care of those who were in the market for a largish family carrier, and the diminutive Tiguan to take care of everyone else.

Only recently, with the introduction of the full-size Atlas crossover, has VW had a vehicle that dealt with the needs, desires and pocketbook realities of a majority of U.S. buyers. However, its addition still left a yawning chasm between the entry-level Tiguan and the rest of the lineup. It was apparent that something had to change.

That something was the Tiguan itself. Built on the same MQB structure as the Golf and Atlas, the  2018 Tiguan is a massive 10.6 inches longer than its predecessor, has up to 50% more cargo area, and offers three row seating (standard on front-drive models, optional with all-wheel drive) on a wheelbase that is nearly 7.5 inches longer.

Even more surprising is the fact that VW has priced it in line with the rest of the market. A base front-drive Tiguan starts at $25,345, just $350 more than the previous generation model, and this includes a turbocharged four with 184 horsepower and 221 lb.-ft. of torque mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The four-trim lineup tops out with the SEL Premium model starting at $36,250.

This is 16 horsepower down from the 200 hp this engine produces in other applications, but the use of a modified Miller cycle lowers and lengthens the engine’s power peak, provides a broad torque band and improves fuel economy.

The Virtual Driver