Volkswagen Singapore launches upgraded Tiguan SUV

Sports utility vehicles (SUVs) are popular among car buyers. But while all of them have outdoorsy styling, few can venture off the tarmac.

But not the latest Volkswagen Tiguan SUV.

Volkswagen (VW) Singapore launched the facelifted second-generation Tiguan today. The mid-sized SUV receives a massive upgrade in power and regains its off-road driving prowess.

New powertrain: Two-litre engine, off-road capabilities 

VW Singapore is bringing in only the two-litre version of the Tiguan, unlike its predecessor*, which was powered by a 1.4-litre engine.

The bigger engine produces 190hp and 320Nm of torque, a boost from its predecessor's 150hp and 250Nm.

Interestingly, the powerplant is a version of the famed EA888 engine that also powers the high-performance VW cars such as the Golf R and the 320hp Tiguan R (not available here).

The upsized engine is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which has an additional cog compared with the predecessor's six-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

Unlike the pre-facelift Tiguan which is driven on its front wheels, the powertrain in the refreshed Tiguan sends power to all four wheels.

The latest 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system comes with features like an electronic differential lock, traction control and engine drag torque control.

The system is managed by a central control unit that monitors the condition of the driving dynamics in the vehicle and distributes the power to the wheels accordingly, ensuring that all the wheels get the power when they are needed.

There are four pre-set driving modes: Snow (which is irrelevant in Singapore), on-road, off-road and off-road customisation. Most drivers will stick to the on-road mode for daily drives.

Even so, the all-wheel drive helps ensure that the Tiguan will not lose grip, providing an additional layer of safety during downpours. This safety aspect of all-wheel-drive cars is sometimes overlooked.

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Subtle facelift 

Unlike the substantial changes under the bonnet, the visual changes of the latest Tiguan are more subtle.

The SUV gets a new front bumper design and a new front radiator grille that looks like the shrunken version of the one on its larger Touareg sibling. The Tiguan also gets wider LED headlights.

At the rear, the Tiguan lettering is positioned in the middle of the tailgate below the VW badge, like other new VW cars. The 4MOTION badge on the rear is the only visible cue of its newfound off-road prowess.

Digital cockpit

Inside, the Tiguan now comes with a digital instrument display that is found in almost the entire range of VW cars, from the one-litre T-Cross to the eighth-generation Golf and GTI launched earlier this year.

Similar to the Golf, the climate control adjustments are made on touch sliders and touch buttons, which takes some getting used to.

What is more familiar is the 10.25-inch digital cockpit display with an interface accessible from steering wheel controls that is logical and intuitive to navigate.

Two trims: Elegance & R-Line

The updated Tiguan comes with two styling and equipment packages: The luxurious Elegance model and the sportier R-Line that has design cues of the famed VW cars such as Golf R.

Both versions of the Tiguan are equipped with LED headlights and tail-lights, 4MOTION all-wheel-drive and a 10.25-inch digital instrument display.

The Elegance package includes silver roof rails, cruise control, electronic adjustment and memory settings for the driver's seat and 19-inch alloy wheels.

The R-Line styling pack comes with R-Line badges on the front and rear bumpers, black wheel arch extensions, body-coloured side skirts with chrome trim, rear roof spoiler and 20-inch alloy wheels.

The front seats come with electronic adjustments and memory functions, and the driver's seat has comfort entry and exit.

Some equipment upgrades in the R-Line variant are significant.

It gets Dynamic Chassis Control which allows drivers to adjust the shock absorbers' damping settings according to personal preferences in the Normal, Sport or Comfort modes. This will appeal to keen drivers.

The Tiguan R-Line also gets a larger 9.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display compared with Elegance's eight-inch screen.

It also has a head-up display, a 360-degree area view parking camera and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, enabling users to do away with cables completely.

The Tiguan costs $179,900 with COE for the Elegance trim and $193,900 for the R-Line variant.

*The pre-facelift Tiguan was introduced in 2016 with a two-litre engine, but later, only the 1.4-litre variant was available.

Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 (A)

Engine: 1984cc, inline-four, 16-valves, turbocharged
Max power: 190hp at 4200-6000rpm
Max torque: 320Nm at 1500-4100rpm
Power to weight: 113.23 hp per tonne
Gearbox: Seven-speed dual-clutch with manual select
0-100km/h: 7.4 seconds
Top speed: 214km/h
Consumption: 14.5km/L (combined)
Price incl. COE: Elegance – $179,900, R-Line – $193,900 (both without VES rebate or surcharge)
Agent:  Volkswagen Singapore

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This article was first published in Torque.