Review: Volkswagen AD1 Tiguan Allspace (2018-on)

Overview

Released in Australia in July 2018, the Volkswagen AD1 Tiguan Allspace was a mid-size SUV with a ‘5+2’ seating configuration. Manufactured at Volkswagen’s Puebla plant in Mexico, the Volkswagen AD1 Tiguan range consisted of petrol-engined 110 TSI Active Cylinder Technology (ACT), 132 TSI 4MOTION and 162 TSI 4MOTION variants, and diesel-engined 110 TDI 4MOTION and 140 TDI 4MOTION variants. As per the table below, the Volkswagen AD1 Tiguan Allspace range consisted of Comfortline and Highline editions.

To reduce fuel consumption, all powertrains had:

• An ‘automatic start-stop’ function which could shut down the engine when the vehicle was stationary in traffic; and,
• A ‘brake energy recuperation’ system which used an ‘intelligent’ alternator that increased its output during braking and coasting phases and temporarily stored this energy in the battery so that it could be used to power the vehicle’s on-board electrical system when the driver next accelerated.

4MOTION all-wheel drive system

The Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 4Motion had a Haldex 5 all-wheel drive system which consisted an electronically controlled and hydraulically actuated multi-plate clutch coupling (located in front of the rear axle differential at the end of the prop shaft). Under low loads or when coasting, the rear axle was decoupled to reduce fuel consumption. If, however, there was a loss of front wheel traction or such a loss is anticipated by on-board sensors, then an electro-hydraulic oil pump applied pressure to the clutch plates to transfer up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels (for a 50:50 front:rear torque split).

For the Volkswagen AD1 Tiguan Allspace, the driver could use an ‘Active Control’ dial to select from Normal, Snow, Off-road and Off-road Individual settings.

Body and dimensions

The Volkswagen AD1 Tiguan Allspace was underpinned by Volkswagen’s Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform which was shared with models such as the Volkswagen Mk.7 Golf and Volkswagen Mk.7 Passat .

Compared to the Volkswagen AD1 Tiguan with which it was co-developed, the AD1 Tiguan Allspace was 215 mm longer (4701 mm), the same width (1839 mm), 33 mm taller (1665 mm) and had a 109 mm longer wheelbase (2790 mm). Since the AD1 Tiguan AllSpace had a 106 mm longer rear overhang, it had a luggage capacity of 230 litres when the third row seats were in their raised position. The second and third row seats, however, could fold down –

• With the third row seats folded down, luggage space was 700 litres; and,
• With the second row and third row seats folded down, luggage space was 1775 litres when filled to the roof.

Visually, the AD1 Tiguan Allspace could be identified by its wider rear door, higher bonnet above the radiator grille and unique side window design which rose above the C-pillar.

Suspension and steering

The Volkswagen AD1 Tiguan Allspace had MacPherson strut front suspension with lower A-arms and independent, four-link rear suspension. As standard, the Tiguan Allspace Highline was equipped with ‘Adaptive Chassis Control’ which consisted of electronically controlled dampers that could vary damping resistance according to road conditions and driver behaviour; the driver could also select from Sport, Comfort and Normal settings.

The Volkswagen AD1 Tiguan Allspace had rack-and-pinion steering with speed-sensitive, electric power assistance.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Volkswagen AD1 Tiguan Allspace included dual front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters.

As standard, the AD1 Tiguan Allspace Comfortline was equipped with the following active safety technologies:

• Front Assist: used a radar sensor to detect if the vehicle was closing too fast on the vehicle ahead. If this occurred, Front Assist 1) provided audible and visual warnings to the driver, 2) brought the brake pads into contact with the brake discs in preparation for an emergency stop; and, 3) provided a jolting brake application to alert the driver. If the driver failed to respond, Front Assist would apply the brakes automatically to avoid or reduce the severity a collision;
• City Emergency Brake: an extension of Front Assist, City Emergency Braking operated at speeds up to 65 km/h and used a radar sensor and front camera to monitor the area ahead for vehicles and pedestrians. If a collision was anticipated, the driver would be alerted via visual and audible warnings, followed by jolting brake application. If the driver failed to respond, the system would initiate emergency braking;
• Lane Assist (lane departure warning): using a camera to recognise lane markings, Lane Assist could detect unintentional lane drifting or changing and provide corrective steering actions for up to eight seconds. If the corrective steering actions were insufficient, the driver would be warned via steering wheel vibrations;
• Automatic Post-Collision Braking System: activated when two independent sensors detected that a collision had occurred and the driver did not respond. Automatic post-collision braking applied the brakes to achieve controlled deceleration to a speed of 10 km/h to minimise the risk of the vehicle being involved in secondary collisions;
• Fatigue Detection: monitored driver behavior at speeds in excess of 65 km/h for signs of fatigue. If the driver exhibited signs of fatigue, a tone would sound and a warning would appear in the multi-function display; and,
• An Active Bonnet: in the event of a frontal collision with a pedestrian or cyclist, the bonnet would rise by 50 mm within 22 milliseconds to provide clearance over ‘hard points’ in the engine bay and reduce impact severity.

Beyond this, the Tiguan Allspace Highline was equipped with:

• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): using a radar sensor, ACC could maintain a pre-set distance to the vehicle ahead (including autonomous braking) and cause the vehicle to accelerate to its pre-set speed after braking;
• Traffic Jam Assist: used Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) to provide automatic braking and accelerating in the stop-and-go speed range and the Lane Assist function to keep the Tiguan Allspace in the middle of its lane;
• Side Assist (lane change assistant): operated at speeds of 10 km/h and used two radar sensors in the rear bumper to monitor the area up to 70 metres behind the vehicle. If a vehicle was detected approaching from the rear or alongside the Tiguan Allspace, the driver was warned by illumination of an LED in the door mirror housing. If the driver then activated the turn indicator in the direction of the detected vehicle, the Side Assist indicator flashed to draw the driver’s attention to the mirror. If the driver attempted to steer into that area, the Lane Assist system would provide a counter-steering action to prevent the lane change;
• Rear Traffic Alert: when the driver was attempting to reverse out of a parking space, Rear Traffic Alert used radar sensors in the rear bumper to detect traffic up to 50 metres away that may cross the vehicle’s intended path. If a collision risk was detected, Rear Traffic Alert would provide a visual warning, followed by an audible warning. If the driver did not respond to the warnings and there was an immediate collision risk, Rear Traffic Alert would automatically apply the brakes;
• Emergency Assist 2: if a lack of steering activity indicated that the driver was inactive or incapacitated while Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Assist were engaged, Emergency Assist 2 would alert the driver with an intermittent gong, brake and steering jolts. Furthermore, Emergency Assist 2 used Side Assist (described below) to safely change lanes by indicating and moving to the far left lane or emergency lane (depending on traffic and road conditions) and would bring the vehicle to rest; and,
• Dynamic Light Assist: using a masking function to partially dip the main-beam headlights when oncoming traffic is detected.

As an extra-cost option, the Tiguan Allspace Comfortline could be specified with a ‘Driver Assistance Package’ which included:

• Adaptive Cruise Control;
• Traffic Jam Assist;
• Side Assist;
• Rear Traffic Alert;
• Emergency Assist; and,
• Dynamic Light Assist.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the related Volkswagen AD1 Tiguan 2.0 TDI Comfortline received a five star safety rating which included an 85 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 87 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the offset crash test, protection of the driver’s head, thighs and feet were rated as good, though chest and lower leg protection were rated as adequate (i.e. a slight risk of serious injury); protection of the front passenger was rated as good in all areas. In the side impact test, protection of all areas was rated as good. In the more severe pole test, however, protection of the driver’s chest and abdomen were rated as adequate.

Under ANCAP’s methodology , this testing resulted in a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 35.89 out of 37.

Features: Tiguan Allspace Comfortline

Standard features for the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Comfortline included 18-inch ‘Kingston’ alloy wheels, Volkswagen’s ‘Discover Media’ navigation system with an eight inch display, three USB ports and auxiliary-in socket (3.5 mm), Volkswagen’s ‘App-Connect’ USB input for smartphone integration (including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink), Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, three-zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, a rear view camera, front and rear parking sensors, LED headlights, front fog lights, dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers, leather multi-function steering wheel, split-folding rear seats, remote central locking with proximity key (i.e. keyless entry), power adjustable and heated door mirrors with folding function, power windows, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, 12 volt power sockets (centre console, rear and luggage compartment), push-button start, low tyre pressure indicator, a trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser.

As standard, the Tiguan Allspace Comfortline was also fitted with Volkswagen’s third generation ‘Park Assist’ system which provided parking space detection, automated steering for parking manoeuvres (parallel and perpendicular) and exiting from parallel parking spaces.

For the Tiguan Allspace Comfortline, the extra-cost ‘Luxury Package’ included ‘Vienna’ leather appointed upholstery, power adjustable and heated front seats with memory settings, and a sliding/tilting panoramic glass sunroof.

Features: Tiguan Allspace Highline

Compared to the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Comfortline, the Tiguan Allspace Highline was further equipped with 19-inch ‘Auckland’ alloy wheels, Volkswagen’s ‘Discover Pro’ satellite navigation system with a 9.2-inch display, ‘Vienna’ leather appointed upholstery, power adjustable front seats with memory settings, heated front and outer rear seats, ambient interior lighting and LED tail-lights.

R-Line Package

For the Tiguan Allspace Highline, the extra-cost R-Line Package included 20-inch ‘Suzuka’ alloy wheels, ‘R-Line’ black Vienna leather seats, an ‘R-Line’ steering wheel with gearshift paddles, a black headliner, ‘R-Line’ aluminum scuff plates, brushed stainless steel pedals, ‘R-Line’ bumpers and side sills, and a black rear spoiler.

Specifications

• Specifications: Volkswagen AD1 Tiguan Allspace (July 2018)