Ever the optimist, I have just done a specification comparison between the Elegance and R-Line models of the new Tiguan, and checked this against my list of essential and desired features that I’m looking for in our next car.
Both models have all the essential features as standard, with one critical exception. We have to have leather or faux leather seats, and the only option is partial leather bundled with electric front seats and driver memory (which I don’t need) at an eye watering cost of £2,070 on the Elegance and £2,120 on the R-Line.
As for the desired features, it’s an even worse picture. Adaptive headlights, that used to be standard on the outgoing Elegance are now a £580 option and, if you want them on the R-Line that jumps to £1,530 as you have to also add a safety pack that’s standard on the Elegance. A fully electric tailgate (standard on the Elegance, along with keyless entry) is £905 on the R-Line . Harman Kardon sound system is a £1,420 option on both models. Thats more than double what BMW charge and VW isn’t a premium brand! I can’t work out if the new Tiguan has Blind-spot assist. Both PHEV variants are 2WD. The Tucson PHEV (which has all of these things as standard on the Ultimate) is 4WD.
The one area where the Tiguan comes out trumps is electric range in the PHEV model. At a claimed 62 miles this is significantly better than its peers.