km : Passing Lane

Isn’t it completely heartbreaking when something great in so many ways is ruined by one major flaw? Think back to that one relationship that seemed so good until one single issue sent you and that special someone off on totally different tangents. We’ve always had that sort of problem with Volkswagen’s small crossover, the Tiguan. After spending any amount of time in one, it’s very easy to fall in love with the dynamics, design, and fit-and-finish of the little ‘ute. But then when you look at the window sticker, it all comes crashing down.

While VW’s little SUV starts out at a reasonable $23,200, once you start adding all-wheel-drive and options or moving up to a higher trim level, that figure quickly pushes north of $30,000, and that’s a level we’re willing to bet most small SUV buyers choke on. Since the Tiguan debuted in the North American market as a 2009 model, most reviews we’ve seen have come to the same conclusion. Not surprisingly, most of the Tiguans in the test fleet then were either SE (rebadged “Wolfsburg Edition” for the 2010 model year) or SEL models, thus taking the asking price higher than that magic number. We were delighted, then, when last week an entry-level S model showed up in the km garage. It was the perfect opportunity to see what going for the base model — and keeping the price down — would mean in terms of sacrificing livability.


When parked next to a higher-spec Tig’ — a staffer here recently bought a low-mileage CPO Tiguan SE, — it’s easy to spot the differences between the two. It’s mostly trim stuff, like the chrome window surrounds, roof rails, and tinted rear windows, because, well, that’s all on the surface. But seeing those minor variations on paper doesn’t convey nearly how much of a difference those things make to the actual appearance of the car. Not to say the S looks bad, far from it; it’s just so immediately obvious that the upmarket versions are so much nicer, even at first glance. A cave-like black interior on the S versus a more airy feeling tan in the SE didn’t help, either.

Furthermore the cloth, which is the only material an S can be had with, seems a little thinner and more prone to pilling than in the SE. Volkswagen’s nicer leatherette, offered in entry-level Jettas, Passats and CCs, would certainly lend a more upscale feeling to the car. The radio suffers the same down-market complex as the upholstery, lacking the touchscreen interface of other VW models.


But when you live with the Tiguan day-to-day, these things seem to fade into the backgound a bit. Being an S model doesn’t change the lively, entertaining way this crossover drives. The Tiguan has always been known for it’s great driving dynamics, feeling more like a tall hatchback than a small SUV, and staying with an S model means that the wonderful turbocharged 2.0-liter engine is along for the ride. Steering, if a little light, is still very communicative, especially for an SUV. Body roll is well managed and the suspension doesn’t become unsettled by bumps.

Still, the Tiguan affords you generous space for five passengers and their cargo, thanks to a big hatch area and seats that slide forward and back as well as fold flat. Sure, the interior could feel and look a bit nicer, but it’s not a deal-breaker on its own. Hell, even the radio can be upgraded for a fraction of the cost of moving up to an SE. All that’s essential is there, and with a list price of $25,100 including an automatic transmission and destination charge, the Tiguan S actually represents a pretty decent value.

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