Powered by the same 2.0-liter turbo-four that’s in the GTI and fitted out with an equally sophisticated and well-made interior, the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan displays much of the driving enjoyment found in its hot-hatch stablemate. What’s more, the all-wheel drive Tiguan emulates the GTI’s nimble handling and supple ride, too.

The Volkswagen Tiguan joined the compact luxury crossover class last year with attributes that made it a standout. Many reviewers came to see the Tiguan as an affordable way to break out of the cookie-cutter sameness of compact SUVs, to enjoy a dash of Euroflash and a helping of individuality. As Road & Track noted, "Other vehicles in the segment feel like SUVs, but the VW is different; it is downright fun. It handles well, responds quickly and does not suffer from body roll."

This compact crossover comes in three trims, all with the 2.0-liter TSI four-cylinder. The base Tiguan S includes 16-inch alloy wheels, fold-flat passenger seat, an eight-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary jack, eight-way adjustable front seats, air conditioning, cruise control and a 60/40-split/folding rear seat.

The SE upgrade includes 17-inch alloy wheels, foglights, a roofrack, chrome exterior accents, deep-tinted glass, upgraded upholstery, heated front seats, a power driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, a trip computer and upgraded audio with a CD changer and satellite radio.

The SEL trim comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights, premium "Dynaudio" audio system, 2-way power driver's seat with memory, dual-zone climate control, leather seating surfaces, rain-sensing wipers and a self-dimming rearview mirror.

The turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four energizing the Tiguan is a popular powerplant found in several VWs and Audis. It makes 200 hp and 206 lb/ft of torque, the latter figure being available at relatively low engine revs for responsive power. Thanks to the turbocharger, the Tiguan is one of the fastest compact crossovers with a zero-to-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. The S comes with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed; the SE and SEL offer just the automatic transmission. VW's "4Motion" all-wheel drive system is available on the SE and SEL. The Tiguan can tow 2,200 pounds, sufficient for a boat or small camper.

According to the EPA, the FWD Tiguan should net 19/26 mpg city/highway with the manual transmission and 18/24 with the automatic. The AWD model should net 18/24 mpg.

Tiguan safety equipment includes antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags and full-length head-curtain airbags as standard equipment.

According to U.S. News, “The Tiguan's electromechanical power steering, McPherson strut front suspension, four-link independent rear suspension and disc brakes make for a fun, sporty driving experience. What's more, its flexible all-wheel drive system can provide up to 100 percent of power to the rear wheels.” Edmunds.com concurs, noting, “Most compact SUVs tend to skate over rough surfaces, but the Tiguan remains firmly planted while tracking steadily. To add an extra measure of durability for rough road use, there's high-strength steel in the frame plus heavy-duty dampers.” Popular Mechanics found the Tiguan’s 4Motion AWD to their liking. "With the infamous, ever changing weather of Colorado's front range, we got a chance to test out the 4Motion system in snow, sleet and rain. The vehicle provided confidence and steady control on the road. And as much as we like real 4X4s, we enjoyed the convenience of never having to shift a lever or push a four-wheel drive button."

In addition to being rough and ready when necessary, the Tiguan is surprisingly sophisticated and upscale, especially for its starting MSRP of just $23,200. The Tiguan cabin consists of topnotch materials and superb fit and finish. The trim is genuine aluminum, not plastic! The seats are long haul comfortable and very supportive. The sliding and reclining rear seat has a 60/40-split design and folds flat. It goes almost all rivals one better by having a center “pass-through” that allows the Tiguan to carry long items and still seat four passengers. With the rear seatbacks up, the Tiguan has 23.8 cubic feet out back. That space grows to a healthy 56.1 cubic feet with the seats folded flat.

Unlike many compact crossovers, the Tiguan has a very quiet cabin, even at highway speeds and a great-sounding eight-speaker CD audio system to fill it. It’s also conveniently appointed, as Motive magazine found. "Useful details like an air conditioned glovebox, overhead storage binnacles, sliding storage bins under the front seats, one-liter bottle holders in the front door pockets and even aircraft-style picnic trays on the front seatbacks are what we expect from the thoughtful Germans, and the Tiguan delivers them."

As for amenities, take your pick! Tiguan offers options such as a huge panoramic sunroof, a backup camera, touchscreen navigation and a 30GB hard drive for music storage. The navigation system features a new (and large) touchscreen interface that critics praise for its intuitive function.

The 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan is a must-see for compact crossover shoppers. Its superior quality and sophistication will be instantly apparent to anyone who has shopped competitive crossovers. Give us a call soon for a personal presentation and test drive.