VW lifts lid on Tiguan pricing

VOLKSWAGEN has increased the price of entry for its new Tiguan, but the second-generation SUV has grown in size to jump a segment and features a raft of new safety and comfort gear.

The all-new Tiguan will arrive in Australian showrooms in September priced from $31,990 plus on-road costs for the entry-level 110TSI Trendline paired with a six-speed manual gearbox, while opting for the six-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission adds $2500.

Upgrading to the DSG-only 110TSI Comfortline brings the price to $36,990. As previously reported, all 110TSI variants use a 110kW 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine. Fuel economy figures are yet to be revealed.

The Comfortline grade is also offered with two other powertrains, including a 132kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol unit paired with a seven-speed DSG in the 132TSI from $41,490, while the 110TDI uses a 110kW turbo-diesel engine with a seven-speed DSG and is the most affordable oil-burner in the range at $42,990.

The flagship Highline grade is offered in petrol and diesel guise, with the 162TSI using a 162kW turbo-petrol engine and seven-speed DSG from $48,490, while the 140kW 140TDI turbo-diesel with the same transmission – a powertrain also used in the Passat – tops the range at $49,990.

All variants feature VW’s latest-generation 4Motion all-wheel-drive system Active Control, except the 110TSI models which are two-wheel-drive only.

In its second generation the Tiguan has grown substantially and will now be recognised as a mid-size, rather than small SUV, putting it in direct competition with big hitters including Mazda’s CX-5, Hyundai’s Tucson and the Toyota RAV4, amongst others.

While some of the Tiguan variants are priced similarly to its competitors, its entry price is higher than most of the other players.

The CX-5 ranges from $27,190 to $50,610, the Tucson starts at $27,990 and tops out at $45,490, the RAV4 is priced from $27,990 to $49,490, Nissan’s X-Trail is $27,990 to $46,580 and Subaru’s all-wheel-drive-only Forester is $29,990 to $47,990.

Volkswagen said last month that the Tiguan has the most comprehensive level of standard safety gear in the segment, including front assist, city emergency braking, lane assist, active bonnet, multi-collision braking, park assist, driver fatigue detection and reversing camera.

As reported, the Tiguan, in Trendline guise, will feature LED tail-lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, an automatic parking system, 8.0-inch infotainment system with App-Connect USB interface, cruise control, leather multi-function steering wheel, tyre-pressure monitor and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Comfortline variants add front foglights, chrome roof rails and window surrounds, driving selection profile with the 4Motion 4WD system, carpet mats, tri-zone climate control air-conditioning, satellite navigation, colour multi-function display, folding table on the front seat backrests and a storage drawer under both front seats.

Highline variants include LED headlights with dynamic cornering lights, LED tail-lights keyless entry, electric tailgate, power folding door mirrors, privacy glass, an 8.0-inch Discover Pro satellite navigation system, steering wheel-mounted paddles, electrically adjustable driver’s seat, ambient interior lighting, heated front sports seats, Vienna leather-appointed upholstery and 18-inch alloys.

Individual options include metallic paint for $700, and a panoramic electric glass sunroof for the Highline for $2000.

Options packages range from the Driver Assistance package that adds adaptive cruise, power folding mirrors, ‘area view’ and ‘side assist with rear traffic alert’ from $2250 for the Comfortline and $2000 for the Highline, while the Luxury package adds $5000 to the price of the Comfortline and an R-Line package is $4000 on top of the Highline.

2016 Volkswagen Tiguan pricing*

110TSI Trendline 2WD	$31,990
110TSI Trendline 2WD (a)	$34,490
110TSI Comfortline 2WD (a)	$36,990
132TSI Comfortline AWD (a)	$41,490
110TDI Comfortline AWD (a)	$42,990
162TSI Highline AWD (a)	$48,490
140TDI Highline AWD (a)	$49,990

*Excludes on-road costs