The Egyptian Automotive & Trading Company (EATC) – the exclusive agent for Volkswagen in Egypt – organised a special event to test the 2020 model of Volkswagen Tiguan.
When the Volkswagen Tiguan was first released in 2007, it quickly became a worldwide success. With more than 2.64m units sold, the first Tiguan outsold many of its more established competitors in the compact-crossover segment.
Unveiled at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, the second-generation Tiguan followed in the footsteps of its predecessor. The latest Tiguan, however, has clearly evolved into an upmarket, premium SUV.
Not only more modern in looks, but the second-generation Tiguan is also a family-focused SUV. Its success hinges on taking the already successful Touareg—the bigger sibling—formula and further accentuating it.
Named after the fusion of words “tiger” and “iguana,” the latest Tiguan similarly blends stylish, elegant, and bold design with innovative technology and peerless comfort. At its heart, there’s a powerful 1.4-liter TSI engine that produces 150 hp—all contributing to a more modern, luxurious, and appealing ride.
More dynamic, agile, and modern styling
The new refinements of the latest Tiguan are a massive deviation from the first generation. In other words, they are notably distinguishable. Simply put, the second-generation is one of the most attractive designs in its class. With its stance widened by 30 mm, height lowered by 33 mm, and at 61 mm longer than before, the latest Tiguan is now one of the largest entries in the compact-crossover segment.
Visually, the second-generation Tiguan sets itself apart from the previous generation with the new chopped roofline, lower stance, new bumpers, modern headlights and taillights, incorporating the new LED layout (available at the Highline trim level while the Comfortline Plus grade gets only LED headlamps), revamped front grille, and a taller beltline, to name but a few—all contributing to a more menacing and aggressive look.
Slotting under the Touareg, the Tiguan has an overall length of 4,486 mm and measures 1,839 mm and 1,664 mm in width and height, respectively. The luxurious SUV also has a generous wheelbase of 2,681 mm.
Class-leading 1.4-liter TSI engine
Under the fresh sheet metal, the latest Volkswagen Tiguan is powered by a potent 1.4-litre TSI turbocharged engine producing 150 hp and 250 Newton metres of torque. Hooked to the six-speed automatic dual clutch transmission (DSG) sending power to the front wheels, the four-cylinder unit enables the compact SUV to go from zero to 100 km/h in 9.2 seconds before hitting a top speed of 222 km/h.
The TSI engine enables the second-generation Tiguan to boast impressive performance for an SUV, and, consequently, provides an exhilarating driving experience without sacrificing fuel economy (it averages 6.71 litres per 100 km in mixed driving).
Roomy interior with high-quality materials
A closer inspection of the Tiguan’s interior reveals a handful of styling changes, including the elegant dashboard that looks and feels upscale. Overall, the interior features richer and higher-quality materials and a minimalist design.
Depending on the grade, drivers of the luxury SUV can enjoy extra premium features. Customers opting for the base Comfortline variant get 17-inch wheels, leather-wrapped three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, power-folding outside mirrors, a rear-view camera, privacy glass for rear-side windows and rear windows, two USB interfaces, a sound system with 8 speakers, a keyless entry system, front and rear parking sensors, anti-theft alarm system, a tire- pressure monitoring system, and cruise control.
The Comfortline Plus grade adds a panoramic glass roof, LED headlights, and a 230-volt socket in the luggage compartment.
Clients that go with the top-of-the-line Highline trim level get 18-inch wheels, “Vienna” full-leather upholstery on many surfaces, heated front seats, power-adjustable comfort front seats with memory, LED headlamps and taillights, triple-zone automatic climate control, chrome accents, interior ambient lighting, a hands-free Easy-Open trunk feature, a sports steering wheel with active shifting paddles, and a fully-digital gauge cluster.
In terms of practicality, the latest Tiguan offers 615 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in the upright position. With the second row folded, the cargo area increases to 1,665 litres.
Regarding safety features, the second-generation Tiguan features a range of airbags including dual-stage front airbags and side curtain airbags, in addition to three-point seatbelts with tension limiters, anti-lock braking system (ABS), Anti-Slip Regulation system (ASR), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), Engine Drag Torque Control (EDTC), and more features to complete the list of driver-assistance systems.
The breath-taking SUV is available in the local market through the EATC. The Tiguan is available in three trim levels: Comfortline, Comfortline Plus, and the Highline.
Aside from the dynamic exterior design and luxurious interior that includes advanced assistance systems typically available in premium SUVs, the latest Tiguan has a unique base price of just EGP 555,000.
