Volkswagen has updated the Tiguan with new looks, more space, and an uprated infotainment system. Once all models are on sale, the new VW will be available with a choice of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid power. In this test, I’ve been driving the Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI 150PS R-Line diesel, which is priced at £40,895.

What am I looking for?

How well does the new Tiguan tow? Is the new one a big step up over the old model? The Tiguan Allspace impressed us enough to make it into our best car for towing a caravan guide.

Towing ability of the Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI 150PS R-Line

The Tiguan might have the looks of a 4×4 tow car, but most of the new models send power to the front wheels. Later this year, there will be four-wheel-drive petrol versions, but surprisingly, there are no plans for the production of a diesel 4×4.

This seems like a missed opportunity when an all-wheel-drive diesel would make a much more fuel-efficient tow car than a petrol, and would surely find favour among those who will be towing a caravan in winter.

On dry Tarmac, that won’t be a major drawback, but while towing in wet weather, it is easy to briefly spin the wheels when the Tiguan is pulling away from a junction. Traction is also in short supply when you are making a hill start in the wet.

Even without four-wheel drive, the diesel Tiguan is reasonably heavy for its size, with a kerbweight of 1677kg. That gives an 85% match, the often-recommended maximum for stable towing, of 1425kg when you’re matching a car to a caravan, well within the maximum towing weight of 2000kg.

The Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI 150PS R-Line towing a caravan
The Tiguan felt at home while towing

I matched the Tiguan to a Coachman Acadia 575 with a MiRO of 1393kg, kindly loaned to us by Raymond James Caravans.

The Tiguan felt at home towing the Coachman. The 2.0-litre diesel has 266lb ft of torque, which is enough for steady but determined acceleration towing a caravan as heavy as the 575. The speed limit when towing a caravan is 60mph on a motorway and the VW easily holds that speed, as well as maintaining speed on hilly roads.

There’s sometimes a slight hesitation before the DSG auto selects a lower gear when overtaking, but there are paddles behind the wheel for drivers to take charge of gear selection for themselves.

Stability at speed is very good. In breezy weather or around high-sided vehicles, there are slight movements, but the car generally pulls the caravan straight again with no need for help from the driver.

The towball
Towing gear drops at the push of a button inside the tailgate

The Tiguan’s towing gear and electrics drop down at the push of a button just inside the tailgate. The socket is clear of the bumper, making it easy to hitch up.

Solo driving the Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI 150PS R-Line

The VW Tiguan continues to impress as an everyday drive. Despite being a little bigger than the previous model, it is still compact enough for easy parking, helped by light steering and good visibility. R-Line models come with a rear-view camera and front and rear parking sensors, too. With the best caravan sat nav to help you tow your van you’ll be set for an enjoyable experience on the road.

The ride is on the firm side around town with the adaptive dampers set to Comfort. I found the car at its best using the Individual function, which allowed us to make the suspension softer and more forgiving than the Comfort set-up.

The VW from the rear
Despite being bigger, the VW is compact enough for easy parking

Sport firms up the suspension, and adds weight to the steering and more urgency to the throttle and gearbox. It makes the car tauter and more responsive on country roads, although I preferred the more comfortable setting for most situations.

The engine is a little gruff under hard acceleration, but there’s little noise from under the bonnet once cruising at a steady speed. There’s some road noise on the motorway, but otherwise the VW is quiet and comfortable for long-distance driving.

Space and practicality in the VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI 150PS R-Line

The new Tiguan is wider, longer and taller than before, although the wheelbase is unchanged. VW has made good use of the extra space, with plenty of room inside for passengers and their holiday bags.

Up front, there’s ample adjustment to both seat and wheel, so drivers of most shapes and sizes can get comfortable.

You sit high enough for a good view out, and I had no aches or pains after a long day behind the wheel.

The cabin of the Tiguan
Standard 12.9in infotainment screen is crisp and clear; my test car had the upgrade to 15in

The infotainment has had a make-over. The screen is crisp and clear, and measures 12.9 inches across as standard. My test car had the optional upgrade to 15 inches, which also includes a head-up display (£1100). This projects information such as speed into the driver’s line of sight.

There’s plenty of storage in the front of the car, and the cabin is well finished, but there are some cheaper-looking plastics on the lower doors. The same is true in the rear, where the finish isn’t quite as plush. However, there’s plenty of headroom and legroom for adults to travel in comfort.

Boot space has improved, at 652 litres with the rear seats upright. The false floor can be lowered to create one large space. At the higher level, it sits flush with the tailgate for easy loading.

Buying and owning a VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI 150PS R-Line

VWs tend to be priced a little above most mainstream cars, but the cost of the Tiguan doesn’t seem unreasonable. At £40,895, it’s cheaper than the closest equivalent Škoda Karoq, although the Škoda does have the advantage of four-wheel drive.

According to the official figures, expect around 50mpg in everyday driving. I saw an impressive 29mpg while towing. R-Line models are well equipped, and the car has a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP.

Alternatives to consider

The petrol Ford Focus Estate 1.0 EcoBoost 155PS mHEV Active X Powershift is a mild hybrid that I found provided stable and secure towing although if you have a family van it will have to work hard to tow it. The Škoda Octavia Estate 2.0 TDI 150PS SE L DSG was another option which impressed, offering fuel efficiency and stability.

Technical spec of the Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI 150PS R-Line

  • Price: £40,895
  • What Car? Target Price: £39,007
  • Retained value after three years: 56%
  • Kerbweight: 1677kg
  • 85% of kerbweight: 1425kg
  • Gross vehicle weight: 2240kg
  • Max towing limit: 2000kg
  • Gross train weight: 4240kg
  • Towball limit: 100kg
  • Price of towball and electrics: £1070
  • Boot size: 652 litres
  • Payload: 563kg
  • Test conditions: Dry
  • Engine size: 1968cc
  • Power (hp): 150 @ 3500rpm
  • Torque (lb ft): 266 @ 1600rpm
  • Official combined economy: 50mpg
  • Towing economy: 29mpg
  • CO2 emissions: 148g/km
  • First year car tax: £270
  • Second year car tax: £600
  • Insurance group: 23E
  • Euro NCAP rating: 5/5

After buying your towing vehicle, don’t forget to do everything you can to keep it safe – that’s where our caravan security guide comes in.

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