Volkswagen Tiguan 132TSI Life review

Volkswagen stretched the mid-size Tiguan to deliver the Swiss Army knife for families.

Volkswagen's Tiguan Allspace is available with the 132TSI engine for about $50,000 drive-away.

When kids are involved, flexibility is vital.

Couples with two children and typically get away with a compact car, but what about the grandparents and friends?

Seven-seater SUVs aim to fill the void for those who occasionally need additional seats.

Volkswagen’s elongated Tiguan is called the Allspace, with an extra 22cm between the front and rear wheels as well as a boot area that is extended by 10.6cm compared to the standard SUV.

Launched last year, there are six options – ranging from your basic family hauler up to the potent sporty R-Line versions. There is currently a drive-away deal for the mid-range model of $49,990, which is about what the bare-bones version would have cost when launched last year.

Volkswagen's Tiguan Allspace is available with the 132TSI engine for about $50,000 drive-away.

WHAT WERE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS?

KEL: Clean and uncomplicated lines I liked the Tiguan from all angles.

GRANT: Volkswagen has always positioned itself as an aspirational brand rather than being skewed mainstream. The Allspace is built in Mexico which also explains the slightly better pricing compared to the standard Tiguan which attracts a European import premium.

KEL: Given the badge and overall finish, I wasn’t aghast at the price tag.

GRANT: Our experience was bolstered by the $5700 “Luxury” package that includes sports seats, electric adjustment of the driver’s seat with lumbar function, heated front seats, panoramic sunroof and Vienna leather seat upholstery.

KEL: That quickly jacks up the price from $50k.

GRANT: It’s positioned closely to its cousin, the Skoda Kodiaq for $54,990, as well as the Mazda CX-8 Touring at $53,770. “Life” is the most basic specification, but we had the more potent engine.

KEL: Boosting the immediate appeal was wireless phone charging and smartphone mirroring, along with the digital instruments.

GRANT: Another standard inclusion is three-zone climate control and it was good to see those in the back had their own control.

Standard equipment in the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace includes a touchscreen, digital driver instruments, wireless phone charging and smartphone mirroring.

WHAT DID YOU LOVE?

KEL: Volkswagen has some of the best heated seats in the business. Rarely do I find I have to turn them down, I did in the Tiguan.

GRANT: The cabin functionality was impressive. Unlike the Golf, the Tiguan has separate aircon controls on the dash rather than being embedded in the main screen.

KEL: It’s so much easier and takes no concentration. Centre row space is also excellent and there were no complaints from teenage passengers.

GRANT: Those seats slid and folded in a 40-20-40 configuration which was great for sports gear. The rear seats can also fold with one pull of a lever in the boot – it’s simple but one of my favourite features nowadays as I’m regularly loading bikes and boards (in a hurry).

Kel and Grant Edwards.

WHAT DID YOU LOATHE?

KEL: Having seven seats is always handy to accommodate friends and the grandparents, but those two seats are certainly occasional use.

GRANT: Leg and headroom is limited. It’s an area best left to young kids. The Tiguan is first and foremost a medium-size SUV so that makes sense – it’s the trade-off with avoiding a hulking SUV which isn’t as nimble.

KEL: Some of those items in the luxury pack are a must for me while others I’d bypass, so it would be frustrating to have to pay that much extra for the lot.

GRANT: Annoyingly having an electric tailgate also adds $600m while metallic paint is $900 for blue, grey or silver, while red is $1100. Also missing on this model is a head-up display and a 360-degree parking camera view – that’s only available on the models above.

The two pop-up rear seats in the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace are best suited to kids.

HOW WAS THE DRIVE?

KEL: Super quiet and relaxing, I enjoyed my time behind the wheel.

GRANT: Surprisingly this derivative is one of the lowest selling in the Tiguan line-up. With all-wheel drive and a 2.0-litre engine (base model is a 1.4-litre), it’s an unstressed unit which operates without fuss.

KEL: Only the off sharp rut or pothole upset the ride, otherwise I found it hard to fault.

GRANT: The steering was well weighted and it managed directional changes well for an SUV. On occasions the dual-clutch automatic was hesitant at slow speeds.

KEL: Fuel consumption seemed to be reasonable, but I always worry about ongoing costs with European cars.

GRANT: Our average consumption was 8.2L/100km, which is lower than the official figure from VW. Buyers can save with maintenance via prepaid plans and five years is $3200. Opt for three and it’s $1700.

Boot space in the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace with the third row collapsed.

WOULD YOU BUY ONE?

KEL: The Allspace was an extremely easy car to live with daily. Great for the family, I’d happily own one but would need to invest the $55,000 to ensure I had my must-have features.

GRANT: Too often overlooked, the 132TSI is underrated within the Allspace family. Collectively it’s a great performer with impressive cabin functionality with the added benefit of having the extra two seats when required.