2010 VW Tiguan: A Turbocharged Compact Crossover

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What’s New:

For the 2010 model year, the Tiguan, VW’s compact crossover, gains standard Bluetooth for the SE and SEL trim levels. Also a new Wolfsburg Edition is added to the line up for the 2010 model year. The Wolfsburg Edition, which offers 17-inch wheels, a power driver’s seat, leather-like seating surfaces and a satellite radio, is slotted between the SE and SEL models. 

Must-Have Goodies:

The Tiguan is available in all-wheel drive or non all-wheel drive configuration in several models: S, SE, Wolfsburg, SEL If pricing isn’t an issue, there are a number of options to consider: a navigation system with a back-up camera, a power panoramic sunroof, 18-inch wheels and leather seats.

However, the aforementioned items weren’t available on the base S model we reviewed.  Thus, this allowed VW to hold the price down on its compact crossover to $25,100. 

What Rocked: 

Unlike the 2009 Tiguan SE all-wheel drive model we reviewed, which was quite pricey at $33,000, the pricing of the 2010 Tiguan  S model we reviewed was more in-line with the pricing of other vehicles in this competitive segment. 

The Tiguan, like other VWs, offers a zippy fuel-efficient, four-cylinder turbo engine and an automatic stop/hold feature, which serves as an Electronic Parking Brake, while at stop lights. The Electronic Parking Brake frees the driver up from having to keep his (her) foot on the brakes, when the vehicle is at a complete stop (or in stop-and-go traffic). 

Moreover, the Tiguan benefits from VW’s 3-year complimentary maintenance plan for all of its vehicles, the first full-line mainstream brand to offer such. (Toyota and Scion followed suit recently, offering a 2-year maintenance plan.)

And, for those who are fans of the VW, they’ll also be smitten with the well-made German compact crossover for its great handling capabilities, for retaining its VW heritage, its turbo engine and its cozy interior.

What We Disliked:

The VW is smaller than most of the compact crossovers in this class, especially when compared to the redesigned Chevy Equinox. However, in the base model, the Tiguan S lacked such standard features as steering wheel mounted controls to adjust the audio system and a radio satellite system. In order to get this compact crossover equipped with the subscription-based satellite system, one will have to shell out about $4,200 to step-up to the midlevel SE model.

Any Juice:

The Tiguan is powered by a super-peppy, 200-horsepower, 2-liter, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine. 

The Verdict:

Sales of the Tiguan are up 52 percent for the first 11 months of the year, when compared to the same time period in 2009. The German built VW Tiguan offers a few segment firsts in their crossover: an Electronic Brake System and a turbo engine. These features help to drive up the base price of the Tiguan above its competition.

Overall the Tiguan was equipped with a number of features VW owners have come to expect … a height adjustable front center armrest, a rotary dial heating/air condition system and a multi-function display center, which includes service warning data, an outside temperature display, a speed warning alert system (allowing the driver to set the speed to avoid tickets) and a fuel monitoring system, which measures average fuel consumption and the like.

And while the Tiguan is easier to navigate than many of its competitors, it lacks both cargo space and rear seating room, when compared to other vehicles in this segment.

Pricing for the Tiguan starts at $25,000 and can easily zoom to a few dollars shy of $39,000, which pits it against some midsize and premium class luxury crossovers, offering more seating capacity.

Competition: Chevy Equinox, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-7, Mercury Mariner, Nissan Murano and Toyota RAV4