2016 Volkswagen Tiguan first drive review

"We will not surrender. And we will survive".That is the defiant message sprayed across a gritty Berlin landscape that features heavily in Volkswagen's official photography for the new Tiguan SUV（with Car DVD GPS）. Bolder than the "Access all areas" official slogan for the second-generation crossover, the street art presents a fitting motto for a brand with a fight on its hands. This Tiguan is the first new model to emerge since Volkswagen came crashing to earth in 2015, admitting that it manipulated engine management software in 11 million vehicles so cars could pass laboratory tests before polluting in the real world. The scandal shattered trust in a household name and exposed serious flaws in technical capabilities at the core of the brand. Volkswagen Australia suspended sales of the previous-generation Tiguan during the crisis last year, giving up crucial ground in its battle with metal such as the Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester - one of the most competitive segments on the road. It's fair to say, then, that the new Tiguan is a model under pressure to deliver results for the brand in the hearts and minds of buyers as well as the boardroom. Many car companies like to describe their latest offerings as "all new", even if the reality is closer to a facelift than a fundamental redesign. But this Tiguan deserves the moniker thanks to underpinnings shared with the latest Golf and Passat, next-gen diesel engines that use AdBlue technology to reduce emissions, and new styling inside and out that brings it into line with the rest of the VW family. It's a bigger car than before, with a longer wheelbase that heralds additional space for rear seat occupants, as well as a fulsome boot with an additional 50 litres of cargo space. The Tiguan was always one of the smaller cars in its segment, a trait that ends with this model. It feels a size larger than its predecessor inside and out, with plenty of room in a cabin that could not be mistaken for anything other than a Volkswagen. What about install a VW navigation? Logically laid out, with excellent materials and a variety of eye-catching finishes throughout the cabin, the Tiguan is a classy place to be. It's also comfortable, with an ideal driving position and optional "ergoActive" leather seats with 14-way adjustment, a driver's massage function and excellent seat pan and pitch adjustment that's hard to find in cars of this class. There are a handful of compact SUVs without rear air vents, but this isn't one of them thanks to three-zone climate control with ample ventilation and separate temperature settings for the back seat. The rear pews feature the usual split/fold setup along with the ability to slide forward 18 centimetres to free up further space, one of many clever touches that make the Tiguan a compelling proposition. Volkswagen Australia hasn't finalised the Tiguan's local price and specifications, saying only that the car will be shifted upmarket somewhat, making it more expensive than its predecessor. That's important to note as the Tiguan is available overseas with more technology than any rival machine currently on sale. A fully-loaded version could push well beyond $60,000, putting it within reach of cars from the likes of BMW and Mercedes. The new model is available with full digital dashboard setup to rival Audi's latest R8 supercar - a 12.3-inch dash with six different layouts that include widescreen map views and a number of settings dedicated to entertainment, efficiency and off-road driving. Volkswagen also offers the model with a heads-up display, along with an 8-inch infotainment system loaded with an App Connect system including Mirror Link, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. If installing an Android Car Stereo in your car, that would be great!