Roy Lewis road tests the Volkswagen Tiguan S Blue Motion 2.0-litre TDi 110PS 2WD six-speed manual (From Hereford Times)

Roy Lewis road tests the VRoy Lewis road tests the Volkswagen Tiguan S Blue Motion 2.0-litre TDi 110PS 2WD six-speed manual

7:00am Thursday 12th January 2012 in Road Tests

AT-A-GLANCE Volkswagen Tiguan S Blue Motion 2.0-litre TDi 110PS 2WD six-speed manual.

Price: £21,730 (on the road).

Top speed: 109mph.

0-62mph: 11.9 seconds.

Fuel: 53.3mpg (combined figure).

CO2 emissions (g/km): 139.

Verdict: Superb handling compact SUV, practical, refined, quality build, well equipped, economical, and a good buy.

NO question that the second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan is a wise buy in the compact SUV class; it’s beautifully built, refined, practical, well equipped and good on fuel. And, above all, it is easily one of the best-handling compact SUVs.

VW entered the crowded market sector late with the five-door fiveseat Tiguan but the German company ensured the detail was right from the word go and the successful sales figures continue to prove this. In fact, the Tiguan is now VW’s fourth best-selling model after the Golf, Polo and Passat.

Like the previous vehicle, the latest Tiguan is available with two or four-wheel-drive and with the option of two front ends – one biased towards on-road driving and the other with a different angle of approach for tackling rugged terrain in 4WD mode.

The new model has come in for more contemporary grille treatment at the front while the rear gets new light clusters. But although refreshed, the quietly sophisticated appearance remains much the same. However, the vehicle does bear a stronger resemblance to its bigger brother the Touareg.

Prices are not cheap but are competitive against the main SUV rivals and go from £21,085 to £28,020 on the road. However, a bonus with the Tiguan is that depreciation is proving exceeding low which is good news when the time comes to sell or partexchange the vehicle.

There are four trim levels – S.

SE. Sport and Escape – and a choice of six different engines – three petrol andthree3 diesel.

Four of the motors are new to the Tiguan and include a 1.4-litre with twin-charging (supercharging and turbocharging) technology to generate 160PS, a 2.0-litre TSi with 180PS and a 2.0-litre TSi with 210PS.

A 2.0-litre TDi with 110PS is offered in 2-wheel-drive and there are two further improved diesel units with 140 and 170PS carried over from the previous-generation car.

Of the diesel units, which account for most of the sales, the best-seller is the 2.0-litre with 140PS but increasing in popularity during these belt-tightening times is the 2.0-litre with a healthy 110PS which is offered in two-wheel-drive and with a CO2 output of 139g/km.

This motor is among those with Blue Motion technology and features stop/start and battery regeneration systems to enhance fuel economy and also reduce emissions.

The engine is a smooth operator with strong urge up through the gears so that its power output will be sufficient for most families.

However, while the performance figures of 0-62mph in 11.9 seconds and a top speed of 109mph are only modest by today’s standards, the combined fuel economy at 53.3mpg is a big bonus.

The Tiguan handles with ease and reassurance and not only is it at home in urban areas but feels refined at motorway cruising speeds. This is helped by its slick six-speed manual gearbox with a well-spaced set of ratios for economy benefits.

The agile Tiguan rides particularly well over uneven surfaces and is impressively quiet which makes for comfortable travelling.

The tall driving position gives a good view of the road ahead from a cabin which simply oozes class and is easy to live with. Leg, head and shoulder room are good both front and rear, the boot space is generous and the luggage area can be expanded by folding the 60/40 split rear seats, though they don’t fold completely flat.

The latest technology is used with the Tiguan and all models are well equipped so that even the entry-level S has 16-inch alloy wheels, climatic air-conditioning, DAB radio and alarm.