The world of crossover SUVs is a crowded one, and the competition is always stiff. Enter the Volkswagen Tiguan, one of the relatively new kids on the block in this class, and it is for sure a strong competitor.
The problem with crossover SUVs is they all bring strengths and weaknesses to the table. Some have great engines; some offer large cargo space. Some have off-road capabilities while others concentrate of luxury. The VW Tiguan falls under the last category. What you are buying is European styling, a sophisticated ride and classy interior when you by the Tiguan, and that ain’t all bad.
Competitors there are many, including the Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5, Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, and they all have their definite strengths. Having said that, we can’t recommend the Tiguan as the best but we can recommend it as a solid choice in this field if what you are looking for is style and class.
The Tiguan comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine good for 200 horsepower and a standard six-speed manual transmission. You can also get a six-speed automatic transmission if you choose. For the SE and SEL models the automatic is the only choice you have. The Tiguan can do 0-60 in 7.5 seconds, a quick time, and it is EPA rated at21/25 mpg, a respectable showing.
Standard features include 16-inch wheels, heated mirrors, keyless entry, cruise control, air-conditioning, cloth upholstery, satellite radio with a panoramic sunroof as optional.
Safety comes from antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. In brake testing the Tiguan stopped from 60-0 in 125 feet, a good distance for this class, and it received the best “good” rating from the Insurance Institute. All in all a very solid vehicle.
Without a doubt this is a fine vehicle, and if luxury and refinement and solid craftsmanship is what you are looking for then you will not be disappointed one bit with the Tiguan.
As for replacement parts, if you should drive by your local salvage yard and find a used Tiguan there, for goodness sake grab up a bunch of replacement parts. There you will find quality at a low price, and since the Tiguan is such a new vehicle, the used parts you find will have very little wear and tear on them. Why pay more for new when you can have solid quality in used at a lower price?
Give All Import Auto Parts a try the next time you need quality used parts.