2009 Volkswagen Tiguan

"Make a u-turn when possible," urged the navigation as it attempted to get us back on track toward the Hungarian capital of Budapest. As we whipped Volkswagen's all-new 2009 Tiguan around, we got an early indication of its turning radius (tight) and electromechanical steering (quick and light at low speeds). A few zigzags later, we were finally pointed in the right direction.

Positioned as the Touareg's scrappy, smaller sibling, The Tiguan is arriving late to the crossover party. When it goes on sale in May next year with pricing starting in the mid-20s, the Tiguan will join an already crowded field littered with established offerings including the Honda CR-V and Toyota's RAV4. But unlike others in its class, there's not a lot of "cute" in this 'ute. The Tiguan strikes a more athletic, traditional SUV-style pose. Though it's based in large part on the latest version of VW's Golf/Rabbit, the Tiguan in no way looks or feels like a Golf behind the wheel -- it's been engineered with the goal of becoming the most capable and satisfying small crossover available for the U.S. market.
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DaHarder - 9/20/2007 1:21:32 PM

0 Boost

Visually, certainly nothing special, and VW really should consider letting up on the weird naming scheme...

It's really just dumb!

M35MT - 9/20/2007 1:31:15 PM

-2 Boost

If they did that, weird people who want to be 'different' wouldnt buy them. There really isnt any appeal to them otherwise.

EnnNorak - 9/20/2007 2:28:09 PM

+2 Boost

Their naming scheme is as idiotic as their 1960's style beatnik brochures. Anyway, the Tiguan is on my shopping list as my wife wants a small SUV but I want to see the coming Mercedes GLK also.

theoptimisticpessimist - 9/20/2007 2:08:21 PM

+1 Boost

I'm a bit disappointed. Visual humble, interior is closet to the Bug than the Passat.

LuxuryFan - 9/20/2007 6:31:46 PM

+4 Boost

Well, the front end is more expressive than Toyota/Lexus has done in the last decade or so.

DaHarder - 9/20/2007 2:48:19 PM

+6 Boost

Yes... Worlds more aesthetically pleasing than the new Land Cruiser (with which it does not compete anyway), which is simply grotesque in both its detailing and proportions.

At least the Tiguan looks (somewhat) classically handsome... In a VW kind of way.

monkeyrun - 9/20/2007 6:02:45 PM

0 Boost

My only problem with it is the interior, otherwise I will be first in line.

S4cabriofoxone - 9/20/2007 11:48:04 PM

+2 Boost

The exterior's classy lines definitely belie its around-$20K pricetag. The interior will be entry-luxury as usual for VW, but it's the same as the dated unit in the Golf Plus, which I don't really like. It is, however, still noticeably better-looking, more luxurious and will be more fun than the competition. That's reason enough for anyone to put it on their list.

kpaxx - 9/21/2007 9:00:02 AM

+1 Boost

Nice to see that VW designed this vehicle to have some off-road ability. It seems all the other cars in this segment are detracting from being an off-roader.

r_driver04 - 9/23/2007 9:10:04 PM

0 Boost

Dude, c'mon. A CRV or RAV4 and even a Sante Fe will run circles around this piece. Looks to me as if the Touareg's not selling, so lets build something less expensive, more reliable(maybe) and a lot less capable. I bet they've all got their fingers crossed at VW.