While no replacement for an MPV, the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace offers families that like the regular Tiguan more space and flexibility
Verdict
SUV sales continue to soar, which explains why Volkswagen risks stepping on the toes of its versatile compact MPV, the Touran, with the introduction of the Tiguan Allspace. As the name suggests, there's more interior room than in the standard car, plus the option of an extra pair of occasional rear seats. All very useful, but its success - and our rating - will hinge on the price point Volkswagen can offer it at.
The Volkswagen Tiguan has cemented its position in the UK by becoming the company's third best-selling car behind the Golf and Polo. Helping its cause is the seemingly unending desire for SUVsamong new car buyers, but the Tiguan merits its success thanks to a classy image, cutting-edge technology and polished driving manners. For the segment, its interior space is more than adequate, but Volkswagen reckons it has identified a need for even more room and versatility, which is where its new Allspace model comes in.
The Tiguan Allspace is 215mm longer than the normal car, though only 110mm of that is in the wheelbase, so there's clearly more focus on the area behind the rear seats. Buyers can opt for an extra row of seating, bringing the capacity to seven passengers, but Volkswagen expects most to stick with the standard layout and instead enjoy the larger boot (up 145 litres to 760 litres for the five-seat Allspace). The second row seating slides as before and can be folded down to open up 1,920 litres of room - compared with a maximum of 1,655 litres for the regular Tiguan.
• Best 4x4s and SUVs on sale right now
Family buyers that need more than five seats regularly, to fit in child safety seats and such like, will find more space in the likes of the Volkswagen Touran people carrier than the seven-seat Tiguan, but the extra pair of chairs does offer owners the flexibility of carrying a couple of the kids' buddies if the need arises. Beyond that they're limited in their usefulness, as adults and larger teenagers will find them uncomfortable and it won't be easy to fit bulky baby seats back there, either - and there are no ISOfix points. Nonetheless, when not in use, the extra chairs neatly fold into the floor and there's 700 litres of boot space, still usefully more than in a regular Tiguan.
Image 3 of 13
Image 3 of 13
-
now playing
Elsewhere in the Allspace, it's business as usual. Up front, the sombre dashboard design is offset by solid build quality and availability of impressive technology, such as the Active Info Display digital instrumentation and glass-fronted touchscreen infotainment systems with plenty of connectivity. The cabin, as in the standard car, is wide, to the benefit of occupant comfort.
Externally, Volkswagen's designers have balanced the extra length with a more defined roof, a subtly tweaked side window line and a higher bonnet so the Tiguan still looks well resolved.
Although UK pricing and specifications have yet to be confirmed, it is known that the base Allspace will be two rungs higher on the trim level than the standard Tiguan, kicking off with SE Nav. That should include 18-inch alloy wheels, three-zone climate control, touchscreen sat-nav, electric windows and parking sensors all round, cruise control, and auto lights and wipers.
• Best 7-seat cars available
The full range of petrol and diesel engines will be offered, along with 4Motion four-wheel drive and either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Petrol power ranges from the 148bhp 1.4 TSI model, to a 2.0-litre TSI option producing 177bhp. Some 95 per cent of buyers are expected to go for diesel, with the entry-level 148bhp 2.0 TDI model likely to be the best-seller, equipped with a manual gearbox and all-wheel drive.
Latest deals from Buyacar
See all deals on Volkswagen Tiguan
Representative Example: Representative APR of 7.9% borrowing £10,509 over 48 months on HP type finance, the amount payable would be £250 a month, with a total cost of credit of £1,483 and a total amount payable of £11,992. Dennis Buyacar Ltd, 31-32 Alfred Place, London, WC1E 7DP (GB09151058) is a credit broker regulated by FCA (FRN:667368)
Image 8 of 13
Image 8 of 13
We tested that engine fitted with the super-smooth seven-speed DSG automatic. This set-up is fine for ambling around and likely school run duties, but once out on the open road it's a little short of performance. There's a punchy 234bhp diesel at the top of the range, but that's expected to be quite expensive to buy, so the best bet could be the middle ground, a 187bhp TDI option.
Engine aside, all versions major on refinement and good on-road manners. Wind and tyre noise is kept to a minimum, too. All test cars were equipped with an optional adjustable damping system that coped well with faster driving, but felt a little too firm around town. The only other discernible difference between the Allspace and the regular Tiguan on the road is a little more composure and stability through a fast sequence of bends.
But very little of that will matter to the target audience. Instead, they'll be hoping to mix a little mainstream versatility with premium image. Assuming the price is right. It has been suggested that the premium will be in the range of £1,000 to £2,000, bringing the Tiguan Allspace into competition with larger cars again, albeit without the cachet of the VW badge. If it turns out to be at the lower end of that spectrum, it will be difficult for buyers to ignore, especially those financing it through PCP.
No comments:
Post a Comment