Just like the Touareg, Tiguan isn't the easiest word to pronounce. The name Tiguan derives from the German words for tiger and iguana. Quite a cheesy use of symbolism but the similarities between the animals is truthful. Iguanas are versatile and adaptable, much like the Tiguan which can be daily driven like a passenger car with an impressive 26mpg (highway), but also be driven like a sport utility vehicle having 2200 lb of towing capacity, an affordable 4MOTION AWD option and 56 cubic feet of cargo space with the rears seats folded down.
The Tiguan becomes a more attractive vehicle with its similarities to the tiger. Tigers are generally courageous and aggressive. The Tiguan surprisingly shares the same qualities with its distinct styling and 200hp and 207 lb-ft 2.0 liter turbocharged direct injection engine. The chassis is a melding of the Golf, Jetta and Passat so it feels like a VW car, not an overweight SUV. The six-speed manual FWD model weighs just 300 lb more than a GTI at 3400 lb while the 4MOTION automatic comes in at 3600 lb, just a tad heavier than a Mk5 R32.
VW claimed the Tiguan performed like a GTI so we traveled to Boulder, CO and critiqued three different trim levels of the sporty SUV.
For our entire review on the Tiguan, pick up the September '08 issue of eurotuner!