The 2009 VW Tiguan SUV Is Nice- But Does It Have A Chance In Hell Against The New Honda CR-V?

The 2009 VW Tiguan SUV Is Nice- But Does It Have A Chance In Hell Against The New Honda CR-V?

Agent 001 started the day at his Alma Mater the University of Colorado, Boulder and spent the rest of it testing the 2009 VW Tiguan through the mountains of Colorado.

Highlights of the new SUV are the first GOOD navigation system from VW (Including traffic reports/re-routing) with a beautiful software interface, nice interior cabin/seat flexiblitity, attractive design and panoramic roof.

From a driving perspective it drives like a heavier, roomier Passat, which is pleasant but not overly exciting.

That being said, it drives WAY better than a CR-V but it's no BMW X3 due to its 'soft in the corners' driving feel.

The downsides I could see from my drive today were non-revolutionary gas mileage (19 city, 23.9 hwy. in my test), premium fuel premium although they say you can use unleaded with decreased performance, and a choppy ride and spartan cabin.

All in all if I had to give it a grade it would get a solid 'B'.

At $28k, I would probably pick it over a Passat sedan or wagon, CR-V, RAV-4, and RDX.

So all in all, the Tiguan is a very reasonable product and should do well for VW.

But its major competitor, the Honda CR-V is the leader in this space and it will be a tough job to crack into their market share.

Do you agree with me?

Enjoy 001's photos of the Tiguan and the vibe of Boulder, Colorado.
 
2009 VW Tiguan SUV Gallery

































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2009 VW Tiguan SUV Gallery

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S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 5/15/2008 12:13:58 AM
+3 Boost
What's with the title?

The Tiguan walks all over the CR-V in terms of style, performance and interior appointments. The only question mark is price. How much is it, base?

Surprised at those fuel economy figures. I get about 30MPG on the highway in the A3.


EnnNorakEnnNorak - 5/15/2008 7:31:31 AM
+3 Boost
Tiguan is the right size for my wife who is looking for a small SUV. We saw one at a car show but it has two serious flaws: 1) the arm rests on the doors are far too high; 2) the heavy steel hood has no struts -- you have to hold it up with one hand while groping for the el-cheapo metal rod with the other hand so you can prop the hood open. I am also not happy that the engine is transversely mounted. I'll have to wait for the Q5 which will have a longitudinally mounted 4-banger among other longitudinally mounted engine options.


KZ258KZ258 - 5/15/2008 10:55:37 AM
+1 Boost
thr VW Tiguan should be competing against the Nissan murano, definitely not the honda CR-V


KZ258KZ258 - 5/15/2008 10:56:00 AM
+2 Boost
The*


IamEvilHomerIamEvilHomer - 5/15/2008 7:34:30 PM
+1 Boost
enn

the Q5 will not have a 4 banger
audi feels the car is to big for that in the US


sectorsector - 5/15/2008 12:20:25 AM
+3 Boost
I will call you thumpie :)


donthegreekdonthegreek - 5/15/2008 12:26:53 AM
+2 Boost
The gas mpg sucks, and its a little pricey.Also way bland looking...Interior is real nice.I really wanted to like this....Honda has nothing to worry about.Curious to see how the diesel version is mpg wise and how pricey that one will be when it gets here maybe next year...


lexusrox123lexusrox123 - 5/16/2008 8:50:27 AM
+2 Boost
honda cr-v exterior is much more eye catching, atractive, etc.


wooodwoood - 5/15/2008 12:34:03 AM
+2 Boost
A Diesel CRDi is the engine needed to compete with CRV in Europe and a reliable 2.4 or 2.5 liter petrol in other markets. Also there's the price, has to be very close to Honda's.


DaHarderDaHarder - 5/15/2008 1:36:04 AM
0 Boost
Oh Please, The CR-V Is A Rolling Aesthetic Abomination... At Least I Can Stand Looking At The VW


richardp996richardp996 - 5/15/2008 3:03:57 AM
+2 Boost
Oh snap! You guys went to Fort Collins. I use to go to school out there. I recognize the pictures of Boulder and Fort Collins. I take it you went to Estes Park as well?


Agent001Agent001 - 5/15/2008 11:59:01 AM
+2 Boost
Correct...we've been spied!

001


richardp996richardp996 - 5/16/2008 8:52:43 AM
+1 Boost
Did you eat anywhere in Fort Collins?

The area you took photos is near a magazine shop I use to purchase my monthly periodicals. Memories.


mplsmpls - 5/15/2008 6:01:32 AM
+2 Boost
from the front it looks very much like a Honda ..


lexusrox123lexusrox123 - 5/16/2008 8:51:09 AM
+1 Boost
or saab



droptopdroptop - 5/15/2008 8:49:51 AM
-1 Boost
agreed, +1




ricerricer - 5/15/2008 7:10:22 AM
+2 Boost
Though nice, this wont make a dent at CRV sales


ShredmoShredmo - 5/15/2008 9:57:34 AM
+1 Boost
IMO, this vehicle's only real competitors are the Forester and Acura RDX

Most consumers that I know that are interested in the Rav4, CRV, Vue wouldn't give this vehicle a serious look.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 5/16/2008 12:58:33 AM
-1 Boost
For what reason?


raikkonenraikkonen - 5/15/2008 9:58:46 AM
+2 Boost
Looks like a jacked-up Rabbit...except the Rabbit has a nicer interior. The Tig interior looks very low-budget.


Agent001Agent001 - 5/15/2008 11:59:55 AM
+3 Boost
Now THAT could have been a COOL name!!!

The JACK-Rabbit!

001


nsmattnsmatt - 5/15/2008 10:02:14 AM
+2 Boost
The general shape of the car just reminds me of a kia or suzuki for some reason. The passenger section just looks a little vertical and abrupt.


SpectatorSpectator - 5/15/2008 10:28:45 AM
+2 Boost
There are quite a few cars in this segment that were convienently left out. If we are throwing the Japanese together with the Germans and going to discuss an entire car segment, why not add the Koreans as well as us Americans.

Ford Edge
Hyundai Santa Fe

And my favorite...

Mazda CX-7


carguy68carguy68 - 5/15/2008 11:16:39 AM
0 Boost
look's wise it will kill the honda but quality I don't know??


mini22mini22 - 5/15/2008 11:45:50 AM
+2 Boost
Well from a practical point of view the Tiguan is probably easier to see out of then the CRV.Those rear quarter windows in the CRV are a stupid concession to styling. Because SUV's,CUV's,Crossover etc. stand higher off the ground then regular passenger cars a persons field of vision is altered. It can be difficult see people right behind you or coming up along side of you. Any car maker that makes an SUV that does not offer adequate rear and 3/4 glass size in their SUV is putting style over safety.The CRV and Rav 4 are guilty of this. A car like the Subaru Forester offers great rear vision. Anybody buying one of these vehicles should take this into account. That is why I like the Tiguan over the CRV and Rav 4.


BostonMikeBostonMike - 5/15/2008 12:03:28 PM
0 Boost
And then there's the joy of the VW dealer experience...


AlexTxAlexTx - 5/15/2008 12:49:10 PM
+1 Boost
Technologically, the Tiguan walks all overthe CR-V.
ESP, Electronic Parking brake, available Bi-xenon lights with adaptive lights, Back up camera, and much more.
The CR-V will not come even close. The Tiguan is also much superior to the CR-V in terms of driving and dynamics.
The CR-V will still sell more because:
1) a whole lot more of these will be produced than the Tiguan
2) The Tiguan is more expensive than the CR-V.


pchera01pchera01 - 5/15/2008 12:50:17 PM
0 Boost
it looks great,and better than Honda, but how is VWs quality?


CaraficionadoCaraficionado - 5/15/2008 12:55:58 PM
+2 Boost
Nicer looking but no Honda customer will steer away from quality for looks


AlexTxAlexTx - 5/15/2008 2:14:10 PM
+1 Boost
just like the X3....
Quality wise, the interior is top notch with some very nice details and higher quality platics than the CR-V and light years ahead of the X3 quality.


goojmangoojman - 5/15/2008 2:43:59 PM
+3 Boost
VW makes a nice looking vehicle with lovely interiors and they drive very well but they have one fatal flaw which they have not corrected for years and that is reliability. I am utterly perplexed as to why they cannot improve the reliability of their vehicles after knowing for so long that they are awful. It is not like it is an industry secret that VW's are horribly unreliable. There is empirical and anecdotal evidence that they are unreliable and have been for years but VW won't or can't do anything about it. If they did, their worries over how to do better in the US market would be gone. Terrible reliability is the one thing that is holding them back in the U.S. market. If Hyundai has made such great strides in this area, so should VW. It seems as if they almost doesn't care since they have known this flaw for so long but haven't fixed it.


BostonMikeBostonMike - 5/15/2008 5:29:04 PM
+2 Boost
That is exactly why I traded in my 2 VW's for Hondas and why friends of mine have done the same thing. Not only are Hondas more reliable, but when repairs and/or maintenance are necessary, they're also significantly cheaper than with VW's. For most Americans, that means something.


AlexTxAlexTx - 5/15/2008 8:32:16 PM
+1 Boost
And yet the Eos and the Rabbit were rated #1 by Consumer report... so this should tell you soemthing about reliability


mercuryguymercuryguy - 5/15/2008 3:19:05 PM
0 Boost
I was really excited about this vehicle, especially when I discovered that it would be Diesel and available with a stick.

Yes, I was excited until I sat behind the wheel. It is just too small for business travel, and no room in the back for a full size spare tire. What is the point of a Crossover/SUV, if you can’t even fit a spare tire?

I did not feel safe in this vehicle! There is not much metal around you to protect you in an accident and I’ve seen many gruesome accidents where small cars are reduced to mangled wreckage, with big cars the people are able to walk away.

I know cost of steel has gone up, but could the Germans spare a few more Grams of Iron on this vehicle? Wow, Bare minimum, at the cost of safety. I'm very surprised.

The rear passengers’ heads are inches from the rear glass and there is just a thin piece of sheet metal behind their backs.

I really like German products. I loved the VW Phaeton and new Passat. But this vehicle is a joke. I don’t need law suits from injured passengers.

I’ll stick with the Town Car at 23MPG, easy maintenance, triple 5-Star Government Crash Rating and the dirt cheap insurance that is found only on this car. Plenty of room for a full size spare and real luggage capacity for 4 business execs.



ShredmoShredmo - 5/16/2008 9:38:21 AM
+1 Boost
Comparing this to a town car? Seriously?

Yeah, you are not going to get 4 execs in the Tiguan. Not the idea. You don't need a 3 ton car to have safety. I have a 4wd that weighs 3100lbs, full size spare, will whoop the crap out of a town car in every area except cargo capacity, towing and "plushness". Gets 24+ mpg highway. Oh, it is arguably one of the safest cars on the road. You won't see me comparing it to vehicles that are intended for entirely different purposes, except now.


mercuryguymercuryguy - 5/15/2008 3:26:42 PM
0 Boost
The Diesel Model has to get great Mileage, (50+MPG?) I would think it would have to, because there is hardly any steel on this thing.

In all fairness, the interior is nice, especially the instrument panel and the outside is handsome.

With the Falling US Dollar, the Diesel Model will probably be in the Stratosphere, unless they get that US plant built in a hurry.



mercuryguymercuryguy - 5/15/2008 3:37:13 PM
-1 Boost
mini22 - Those rear quarter windows in the CRV are a stupid concession to styling. …a person’s field of vision is altered.

My thoughts exactly when I looked at the Honda.

The Europeans just design their bodies and windows with strait forward practically. No radical designs.

Have you noticed, The Audi Q7, and Audi A5 have excellent 360 degree visibility? Much thought was put into this.



rubenkincaidrubenkincaid - 5/15/2008 4:26:48 PM
+3 Boost
What a useless vehicle segment. Neither here nor there as far as utility goes. As far as styling, the CRV went from bombastic XC90 ripoff to XC90-meets-Lada Neva, and the Tiguan is nothing more than pleasantly boring.


_43LE_43LE - 5/15/2008 4:33:59 PM
+1 Boost
I would pick the RDX over this, the front of this looks like the CRV. Plus, with SH-AWD it probably handles much better. If this VW is $28,000 I think that it will have a hard time competing with the CRV which starts at 20K.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 5/16/2008 12:59:19 AM
-1 Boost
The RDX is $10,000 more. They don't compete. The Audi Q5 will be a bit more expensive than RDX and will be its competition. This car is $28K with options.


ShredmoShredmo - 5/16/2008 11:49:59 AM
+1 Boost
I'd agree that the RDX is priced outsid the Tiguan, but everyone I have heard of purchasing the RDX is getting them in the low $30k's new. I know my local VW dealer won't discount the Tiguan much, so they are in the same league for now.


mercuryguymercuryguy - 5/15/2008 6:39:18 PM
0 Boost
Why do we continue to build AWD? Rear drive only would be far more economical.

We nned to embrace 2wd Diesel Sticks.

The Tiguan a good, sturdy econo-box, that is about all it is good for.

A Passat Diesel Wagon might be a better choice. More room anyway.


ShredmoShredmo - 5/16/2008 9:53:29 AM
+1 Boost
Same could be said about V8's, V6's, cigars, booze, hookers, etc. People buy them!

Every time I read one of your posts, I feel that you are attempting to brainwashed someone into buying an obsolete Lincoln Towncar.

I am glad you like it. Do you need someone to tell you that it is ok to buy whatever floats your boat, rolls your socks up and down, or what?



lexusrox123lexusrox123 - 5/16/2008 8:56:26 AM
+1 Boost
lol! i agree


NItePhireNItePhire - 5/16/2008 10:04:56 AM
+2 Boost
To be honest I just dont see anyone cross shopping the two. The VW seems more upscale in looks of exterior and of course price. I just think they attract different mind sets.


mercuryguymercuryguy - 5/16/2008 3:35:19 PM
+1 Boost
The Only reason I might consider the Infinity over the VW is the fact that on the Infiniti you can get it in Rear Wheel Drive (2 Wheel Drive) Which is more economical to operate and maintain. Although this feature is not available on their V8, a real shame.

But the thought of a VW Diesel is also, very compelling.



mercuryguymercuryguy - 5/16/2008 3:49:22 PM
0 Boost
Did they really say 19MPG City, 23 HWY?

I’m getting the same mileage with the Lincoln Town Car, and I have 23 Cu Ft of trunk space and a 5,000lb capacity towing hitch that I can also mount my Bicycle rack to.

The Tijuana barely has room in the back for an umbrella.

Why would I trade down for this Econobox, to only to get the same mileage and less horsepower?

It Has to be the all wheel drive, that is notoriously inefficient. The smaller engines have to work harder on hills as well. Running an engine at redline guzzles the gas compared to an engine that idles up a hill.

There is just no compelling reason to change after seeing those Mileage numbers.



mercuryguymercuryguy - 5/16/2008 5:10:48 PM
+1 Boost
Maybe the Diesel will be better.


ktu01ktu01 - 5/17/2008 2:36:23 AM
+1 Boost
Tiguan does look pretty nice. For me, it depends on how they price it. VWs are a lot more expensive than they used to be a model generation ago, so if a fully loaded Tiguan runs into 30s, then I probably wouldn't cross shop it with CRV.

I've driven the new CRV numerous times, and really like it for the price, quality, and utility it offers.


gregsfcgregsfc - 5/17/2008 6:56:19 AM
+1 Boost
The TDI (diesel) version should produce between 140 hp and 200 hp (depending on whether VW uses the Jetta TDI setup or the concept, SCR-twin-turbo setup like has been seen in concept designs). Either way, they'll be applying drive technology that produces 40+ mpg in the Jetta to get around 35 in this compact SUV.

The TDI will be marketed next year for all fifty states. It will be the star version of this vehicle and TDI should be the only reason anyone considers any VW in any platform, because that is where they have the advantage over the competition. In other words, if a new VW ain't a diesel, why not buy a Honda?


mercuryguymercuryguy - 5/17/2008 4:33:05 PM
+1 Boost
New York State still has a ban on Diesel cars.

New York needs to get with the program.

The New York VW dealers are really concerned about this. They see this as a major barrier to sales.
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