Review: Volkswagen 5N Tiguan (2008-16)

Review: Volkswagen 5N.I Tiguan (2008-11)

Overview

Released in May 2008, the Volkswagen 5N Series I (5N.I) Tiguan was a compact, all-wheel drive SUV. Manufactured in Wolfsburg, German, the VW 5N Tiguan range initially consisted of the 103TDI, but was expanded in August 2008 with the introduction of the 125TSI and 147TSI variants. In September 2010, the six-speed automatic transmission was replaced with Volkswagen’s seven-speed double-clutch unit which also provided superior fuel efficiency.

Dimensions

The Volkswagen Tiguan platform was based on the front and mid-section floorpan of the Volkswagen Mk.6 Passat , but the rear section and floorpan of the Mk.5 Golf . Compared to the Golf, the 5N Tiguan was 253 mm longer (at 4457 mm), 50 mm wider (1809 mm), 201 mm taller (1686 mm) and had a 27 mm longer wheelbase (2605 mm).

Suspension and steering

The Volkswagen Tiguan had MacPherson strut front suspension, four-link independent rear suspension and electromechanical power steering.

4-Motion all-wheel drive system

The VW Tiguan was fitted with Volkswagen’s 4-Motion all-wheel drive system. The system consisted of a Haldex coupling mounted in front of the rear differential, with the input shaft separated from the output shaft to the rear differential. As such, the 4-Motion system provided front-wheel drive in normal conditions, but utilised hydraulic and electronic systems to detect a loss of traction at the front wheels; the clutch plates would then engage to direct up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque to the rear axle. The Tiguan was also fitted with front and rear electronic differential locks.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Volkswagen Tiguan included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, rollover stability control, front seatbelt pretensioners and load limiting seatbelts for the front and outer rear seats.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , a 2007 VW Tiguan 103TDI received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 34.25 out of 37. In the frontal offset impact test, there was a slight risk of serious chest and leg injury for the front occupants, with the steering column and ignition barrel potential sources of injury for the driver. In the side impact and pole tests, however, the Tiguan received maximum points. The Tiguan was subsequently re-assessed under Euro NCAP’s updated methodology and received a five star safety rating which included an 87 per cent adult occupant protection rating and a 79 per cent child occupant protection rating.

Features: Tiguan 103TDI and 125TSI

Standard features for the Volkswagen Tiguan 103TDI and 125TSI included 16-inch alloy wheels, an eight speaker sound system with CD player, MP3-compatibility and auxiliary input, air conditioning, a ventilated glovebox, cruise control, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, height adjustable front seats, an electromechanical park brake with hill-hold function, trip computer, 12 volt power outlets, cargo cover, trip computer, black roof rails and immobiliser.

Features: Tiguan 147TSI

The Volkswagen Tiguan 147TSI was further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, a six-disc CD player and SD card slot, a 6.5-inch touchscreen display with park assist function, dual zone climate control air conditioning, contoured sports seats with Alcantara inserts, front fog lamps, front and rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a folding front passenger seat, front seat storage compartments, folding front seat trays, ambient lighting, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, rear privacy glass, tyre pressure monitoring and chrome roof rails.

Related links

• Specifications: Volkswagen 5N Tiguan (May 2008)
• Press Release: Volkswagen 5N.I Tiguan (December 2008)

Review: Volkswagen 5N.II Tiguan (2011-16)

Overview

Released in October 2011, the Volkswagen 5N Series II (5N.II) Tiguan introduced a revised range, updated styling and fuel-saving technologies. The range was expanded with the front-wheel drive 118TSI variant, while the 125TSI and 147TSI variants became the 132TSI and 155TSI, respectively. Visually, the Volkswagen 5N.II Tiguan could be identified by its revised new grille, headlights and L-shaped tail-lights, front bumper with a trapezoidal lower air intake opening and fog lights.

Significantly, both the Tiguan 118TSI and 103TDI featured ‘idle stop’ (enabling the engine to shut down when the vehicle was stationary) and brake energy regeneration. The 118TSI also had a ‘smart charging’ which only charged when engine power was not required, while the DSG transmission for the 103TDI had a ‘coasting’ function – enabled via the multifunction display, the coasting function disengaged the clutch pack, allowing the vehicle to roll without engine braking and using the momentum of the vehicle to conserve fuel; when the brake, accelerator pedal or gearshift was operated, the clutch would re-engage and engine braking would be restored.

October 2014 update

In October 2014, the VW 5N.II Tiguan range was revised as:

• The 103TDI was replaced by the more powerful 130TDI;
• The 132TSI Pacific was discontinued and replaced by the 132TSI which was solely available with a seven-speed DCT; and,
• The 155TSI was fitted with an R-Line package as standard.

Safety equipment

Compared to its 5N.I predecessor, standard safety equipment for the Volkswagen 5N.II Tiguan was unchanged, although the 155TSI was fitted with driver fatigue monitoring.

From October 2014, driver fatigue monitoring was standard across the range.

Features

Compared to their 5N.I predecessors, standard features for the VW 5N.II Tiguan 118TSI, 103TDI and 132TSI were extended to include an auxiliary USB input and Bluetooth connectivity; courtesy lamps, however, were omitted.

Compared to the 5N.I 147TSI, the Tiguan 155TSI omitted front parking sensors.

In October 2014, standard features were extended to include a 6.5-inch colour touchscreen and rear view camera.

Tiguan 132TSI Pacific

In February 2012, the standard 132TSI variant was discontinued and replaced by the 132 TSI Pacific. Due to supply issues, the 132TSI Pacific edition was not available with the seven-speed DSG and had a conventional six-speed automatic transmission instead.

Compared to the standard 132TSI, the Pacific edition was further equipped with dual-zone climate control air conditioning, front fog lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, an electrochromatic rear view mirror and illuminated vanity mirrors. The 132TSI Pacific was also fitted with Volkswagen’s ‘Park Assist 2’ semi-automated parking function – for parallel and 90 degree parking – which automatically steered the vehicle such that the driver only needed to accelerate or brake when prompted.

155TSI R-Line

From October 2014, the Tiguan 155TSI was fitted with an R-Line package which added 18-inch ‘Mallory’ alloy wheels, satellite navigation and ‘Vienna’ leather-appointed seat upholstery. The Tiguan 155TSI R-Line was also fitted with Volkswagen’s ‘Adaptive Chassis Control’ which constantly adjusted the electronically controlled dampers to the road conditions, driving situation and driver behaviour; the system also included three selectable damper settings: Normal, Comfort and Sport.

Visually, the 155TSI R-Line could be identified by its unique bumpers, side sills, roof spoiler and ‘R-Line’ badging.

MY16 Tiguan

In July 2015, standard features for the Tiguan 118TSI, 132TSI and 130TDI variants were extended to include Volkswagen’s ‘Composition Media’ system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen (replacing the RCD510 system) and ‘App-Connect’ USB interface for enhanced smartphone connectivity (including access to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink).

In addition to App-Connect, the Tiguan 155TSI R-Line gained Volkswagen’s ‘Discover Media’ infotainment system with a 6.5-inch touch screen (replacing the RNS510 system). The Discover Media system was available as an extra-cost option for the Tiguan 132TSI and 130TDI.

Optional R-Line package

From October 2014, the 103TDI and 132TSI could be specified with the R-Line package as an extra-cost option. For these variants, the R-Line package consisted of 18-inch ‘Mallory wheels’, sport suspension, ‘R-Line’ cloth interior, steering wheel gearshift paddles and ‘R-Line’ exterior styling.

Brochures

• Brochure: Volkswagen 5N.II Tiguan (December 2012)
• Brochure: Volkswagen 5N.II Tiguan (April 2013)

Related links

• Press Kit: Volkswagen 5N.II Tiguan (November 2011)
• Press Kit: Volkswagen 5N.II Tiguan (October 2014)
• Specifications: Volkswagen 5N.II Tiguan (October 2014)
• Wikipedia.org: Volkswagen 5N Tiguan