Making a splash for summer, here comes the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. Loaded with style and class, this VW is working its way into the hearts of car lovers everywhere.
This second generation Tiguan stands out in the small SUV market with its “Americanized” size (10.6 inches longer in wheel base) and storage capability (more than double the cargo room) when compared with the previous generation.
Satisfying the needs of the American market is important to Volkswagen and we see it through model re-designs and the release of the family sized Atlas.
Having laid eyes upon all the new models in one place this past February at the Chicago Auto Show, I’d say that Volkswagen is making its way back into the pocketbooks and garages of the American buyer.
The star of the show isn’t shy when it comes to fashion. The clean uninterrupted style line from front to back highlights it’s size with flair. Available 17-20″ wheels make a sporty addition to the fun-to-drive Tiguan. Volkswagen‘s history of producing fun is ever-present in today’s offerings much as it was in the icons that preceded them.
Volkswagen is working on a new American legacy, unknown to many, in Chattanooga, TN. Besides being the production home of the Atlas, Volkswagen Chattanooga is cooperating with Chattanooga State Community College and the local Hamilton County Schools.
The Mechatronics Akademie celebrated its first graduating class this year. The two-year mechatronics is an extension program at Chattanooga State for eligible Hamilton County high school students. Their day is divided evenly into high school/college courses. The combo of traditional and hands-on technical training provides opportunities to learn computing, mechanics and electronics.
Volkswagen Academy is the three-year program offered after high school. It includes on site education at CSCC and a paid internship at VW Chattanooga. Students who graduate garner a conditional job offer for employment at Volkswagen Chattanooga.
Graduating high school with forty hours of college credit and having a conditional job offer after a paid apprenticeship are needles in a haystack called the “future” and VW has found a way to guide young people into fulfilling careers while specifically training the type of workforce they need to make the hoped-for impact in the United States automobile market.
Enter models like the Jetta and Tiguan. I covered the Jetta this spring and found it equally responsive and fun-to-drive like the Tiguan. Marketing is specific to young, hip, professionals who want more performance and space. They get both with the Tiguan.
Starting at just $24,595 (in FWD) the 2.0 Liter TSI® 16-valve DOHC Turbo 4-cylinder direct fuel injection engine provides 184 horsepower and spunk to boot without sacrificing MPG. 21/27 MPG for a combined 23 MPG is exactly what I charted during its week-long stay. The “start-stop” feature can be turned on and off at the console if it’s not to your liking. Tiptronic® is an available paddle shifting option for the die-hard lovers of a manual transmission. You’re welcome.
Volkswagen’s 4MOTION® AWD with Active Control allows for customization based on conditions by just turning a knob. Press the “MODE” and more choices within the four settings appear on the 8″ Discover Media screen. Want a digital compass, steering angle display and altimeter display during off-road adventures? Done.
Ahhhhh…but I digress…moving on…
A feature that caught my eye, unique to VW, was the “Think Blue.” trainer. Whether you’re a first time driver or just trying to get the most MPGs out of a tank the “Think Blue.” trainer is an asset. Using visuals on the Discover Media screen, driving habits are analyzed in real-time and scores as well as charts are used to gauge driving efficiency.
Oh to have had this in my Rabbit back then…I would have had more quarters to spend on Centipede and Galaga at the arcade.
Creature comforts like leg room are generous in the Tiguan. The open air feel of the panoramic sunroof compliment the snug (only for small children) third row seat option. As with most small SUVs, drop the back seat and haul as much as you like but sacrifice passenger space. Not with the Tiguan. Dropping the seats in the small third row gives abundant space for kit and kaboodle while keeping the second passenger row intact.
An available R-line® edition will be ready this fall that sports 19″ “Trenton” wheels for the SEL and 20″ “Braselton” wheels for the SEL Premium. Front and rear bumpers as well as wheel arches and skirting claim new design and exterior R-line® badging.
Last and certainly not least, the Tiguan is overflowing with safety features. Driver and front passenger front and side airbags. Side Curtain Protection® to mitigate head impact side-to-side. Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), Engine Brake Assist (EBA), Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD) and Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA) and an Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS).
Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert and Forward Collision Warning plus Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring display in the Discover Media 8″ touchscreen along with the rear view camera fortify the Tiguan’s shield of protection.
VW CAR-NET® uses App-Connect® to integrate the Tiguan to your smart phone.
Driver care packages include the Customer First Warranty that provides for 6-year/72,000 miles. 7-year/100,000 mile corrosion perforation warranty and 3-year/36,000 mile 24-hour roadside assistance program including jump starts, towing, tire changes, out of fuel and lock-out services round out assurances from Volkswagen.
Go ahead. Give the Tiguan a look. Volkswagen is betting on it.
julesonwheelz
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