As the compact crossover smack dab in the middle of the VW lineup, the Tiguan has always been the popular little brother to the full-size Touareg. For 2012, the Tiguan boasts a sleek new redesign, a turbo engine and improved efficiency.
The 2012 Tiguan comes in seven trims: S, S with Sunroof, SE, SE with Sunroof and Navigation, SEL, SEL with Premium Navigation and SEL with Premium Navigation & Dynaudio. A refreshed exterior brings the Tiguan more in line with the sophisticated new VW design aesthetic. That means a striking dual-bar grille and a flanking pair of available bi-Xenon high-intensity headlamps with a slick line of LED daytime running lights now grace the crossover’s nose. Available features like 18-inch New York alloys, a massive panoramic sunroof, heated side mirrors and silver roof rails bring real versatility and attitude to the Tiguan.
Across the board, every Tiguan gets the impressive Volkswagen 2.0-liter TSI
® engine. The crossover’s 16-valve, direct-injected, turbocharged and intercooled inline four-cylinder makes 200 hp and 207 lb/ft of torque through a six-speed manual or an available six-speed Tiptronic
® automatic transmission with “Sport” mode. With its turbo, the Tiguan is powerful enough to tow up to 2,200 pounds, and changes to the power
train allow mileage to improve from 25 to 27 mpg on the highway.
A smooth ride and pinpoint handling precision streams from the advanced four-corner fully independent suspension system, which integrates MacPherson struts, coilsprings, telescopic shock absorbers and a pair of stabilizer bars, along with dynamic sport tuning on upper trims. For added all-weather traction, the Volkswagen 4MOTION® All-Wheel Drive system is available while features like Electronic Stability Control, Anti-Slip Regulation and Antilock Braking System come standard.
The cabin of the 2012 Tiguan is designed for flexibility and sophistication. Seating is versatile; inside the electronic tailgate, rear seats split into three segments, instead of the customary two, and fold down to open over 56 cubic feet of cargo space. The front passenger’s seat folds forward and flat to accommodate especially long items – up to 98 inches. Especially comfortable seats offer available heat and complement the carefully crafted dash, which features chrome or available aluminum accents. On upper trims, the steering wheel and shiftknob come wrapped in a thick layer of leather.
The dash itself is modern and striking. S models come standard with an eight-speaker audio system, Bluetooth® hands-free phone and an auxiliary input jack for MP3-player connection. SE and SEL trims add touchscreen control, SIRIUS Satellite Radio and iPod connectivity, as well as one of two integrated navigation systems and a rearview camera.
In 2011, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick, and with good reason. Beneath a layer of sculpted sheet metal, the 2012 Tiguan is reinforced with an advanced safety cage, a crash-optimized front end and six standard airbags. The crossover also gets the Volkswagen Intelligent Crash Response System, which automatically kills power to the fuel pump, unlocks all the doors and powers on the hazard lights should an accident occur.
With a starting MSRP of just $22,840, the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan steps confidently and makes a powerful name for itself in the crossover segment.
