2012 Volkswagen Tiguan review

On the road and in the streets we take the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan for a spin. Is it worth the price of admission, or does it buckle under the weight of its lofty ambitions? Find out in our review of the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan.

The 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan isnt your typical blue collar crossover. In fact, it seems the recent trend within Volkswagen sees the company attempting to occupy a rather unique space just above the standard automotive segment and just below the luxury segment inhabited by its corporate sibling, Audi. By doing so, or at least trying to do so, the German automaker is attempting to differentiate itself from the rabble, and at the same time elevate the VW brand above the competition. A quick glance at the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan and youll see a perfect example of this strategy.

Is it a smart move? It certainly has potential. But it requires a deft hand and comes at a price. The real question, in this instance, is whether or not consumers are willing to pay a premium for what is ostensibly a fairly standard compact SUV. Nevertheless, while the Tiguan offers up an engaging ride compliments of our review models blissfully smooth 2.0-liter turbocharged engine the whole foundation starts to crumble when you take into account the Tiguans hefty sticker price, which goes on to beg the question: is the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan really worth it, or are you just paying for power?

But before we delve into all that, lets take a closer look at Tiguan.

Stylistically speaking, the 2012 VW Tiguan doesnt venture down the more visually eccentric path many other crossover SUVs so often drive down. Instead, the cars aesthetic manages to strike a perfect balance between power and sophistication, without being overly pretentious. And while we hate to describe the car as masculine (a clich, at this point) we cant quite maneuver around it. Simply put, the Tiguan is a handsome array of sheetmetal.

While we happen to be fans of some of the more out there crossover designs, the Tiguan tows a more conservative line with its styling and is at times a spitting image of its bigger and older sibling, the Toureg.

Overall, VW has done a stellar job in designing the 2012 model, which has received only minor cosmetic upgrades from last years outing. Still, with the cars prominent in-your-face VW badging, chrome accents, and altogether smart look, the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan is a car youll consistently look stylish in no matter what you pull up next to.

By far the Tiguans biggest draw on the inside is the gigantic panoramic sunroof, spanning for what seems to go on for miles overhead. Its well done; its dynamic; and it almost washes away most of the gripes we have with the Tiguans interior almost.

Link:
2012 Volkswagen Tiguan review