DALLAS, March 27, 2012 — For a brand new look at the Volkswagen Tiguan, try the 2012 version with a new body style and better gas mileage. In four trims, the top-of-the-line SEL is a must-look even in comparison to the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and the Chevrolet Equinox.
The 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan
The interior is above par and like all Volkswagen offerings this one takes the road like the European driving machine that we have come to expect from this brand.
An SUV in the smaller world of utility vehicles, as in a compact crossover, the Tiguan still feels like a luxury ride inside despite its tough exterior. Power is also an easy match for any competition since the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan comes standard with a turbocharged engine.
The Volkswagen Tiguan comes in four trims with the entry level S offering 16-inch wheels, heated mirrors, keyless entry, cruise control, full power accessories, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a trip computer, Bluetooth, and an eight-speaker sound system.
You can also opt for the added on panoramic sunroof with tinted windows.
On the LE you get tinted windows, leatherette vinyl upholstery, heated front seats and up to the next trim in the SE it’s 18-inch alloy wheels, chrome exterior trim, roof rails, fog lamps, a driver seat power recline, leather-wrapped steering wheel with shift knob, and an upgraded sound system.
On the top-of-the-line SEL, there are 19-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, automatic wipers, keyless ignition/entry, a dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, eight-way power driver seat with power lumbar adjustment and memory functions, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
The Tiguan can also upgrade to the SEL with a high-end navigation system, offering a larger touch screen and a rearview camera.
Under the hood, the Tiguan has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. The six-speed manual transmission is the standard entry level trim, but moving up you get standard on the Tiguan SE and SEL a six-speed automatic. You can also choose standard front-wheel drive or the all-wheel-drive system, depending on your preference.
For safety the 2012 Volkswagen, Tiguan has antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, front-seat side and full-length side curtain airbags.
While the exterior on the Tiguan is noticeably stylish it is the inside that will turn your head with a premium-cabin that is easily compared to the likes of Audi. With high-quality materials and metal trim, the value is in the details here and the knobs and dials are also easy to use and navigate.
Also a comfortable ride, the Tiguan’s seats are supportive and shaped for actual sitting in comfort. This is a good road trip choice since it’s so easy to drive and there is a 60/40-split-folding rear seat for more cargo space even though the space in back is smaller than the competition. Another plus for the person in the back is the seat slides back and forward for more legroom and it also reclines.
Easy to drive around town or on a long haul, the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan takes the curves and bumps in stride and is an enjoyable ride overall with a confidence we have come to expect from this auto maker.
Should You Need to Know: The cargo space is relatively smaller than the competition at 23.8 cubic feet and even the Jetta from the same maker offers more room for hauling. If you opt to put the rear seats down you do get an additional 30-plus cubic feet to play with.
Miles Per Gallon: The 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL I drove came in at 21 miles per gallon in the city and 27 miles per gallon on the highway.
Cost: The SEL version is around $38,000.
Rita Cook is a writer/editor with has over 1000 articles to her credit in the past 13-plus years. She is a frequent auto and travel contributor on a radio show in Los Angeles called Insider Mag Radio at KPRO 1570 am on from midnight to 12:30 a.m. Monday mornings. She also contributes travel and auto to the Anthony Duva show, which can be heard live from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST every Sunday at www.unregularradio.com.
Cook is a member of the Texas Auto Writer’s Association, writes for the Dallas Morning News Green Living Section as well as artist profiles and www.greensourceDFW and spends much of her time on the road traveling or working on books. Her latest book releases are both “Haunted Dallas” and “Haunted Fort Worth” from www.historypress.net. You can also follow Cook at Twitter at @ritacook13.
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