The Volkswagen Tiguan is one of the more premium entries within the compact crossover SUV market. For car buyers looking for a family car that has both a touch of class and some toughness to it, the Tiguan is worth thinking about.

In fact, the Tiguan is also one of the most impressive small off-roaders around.

That says a lot especially when considering the segment it occupies is packed with high quality rivals. These include the BMW X1, Range Rover Evoque, Audi Q3, Honda CR-V and Ford Kuga.

With the latest Tiguan range you get a mixture of two and four-wheel drive powertrains backed by a strong selection of petrol and diesel engines.

Performance

On test, we drove the 4Motion Tiguan Escape powered by the 138bhp 2.0-litre TDI Bluemotion engine and utilising four-wheel drive. Performance figures are acceptable for a car of this size; it has a benchmark sprint time of 10.2 seconds and will go to a top speed of 117mph.

The rivalling BMW X1 offers a 2.0-litre diesel engine with a similar power output called sDrive 18d. This 141bhp unit can offer quicker pace, completing the 0-62mph sprint in 9.9 seconds when using an automatic transmission.

Still, overtaking slower traffic is a painless procedure in the Tiguan. With the TDI diesel we test drove the Tiguan has more than enough power right through the rev range. The seven-speed DSG gearbox is a boon; it is smooth whether in the automatic setting or when flicking through the gears in manual mode.

Ride and Handling

Bodyroll is kept to a minimum while the 4Motion system should keep you safe in adverse conditions and give you the extra traction needed in severe weather.

Designed predominantly as a family car, the Tiguan is best around town and it also makes short work of long motorway journeys thanks to the high comfort levels for driver and passengers alike. It’s easy to drive and is nimble enough on twisty B-roads to keep enthusiastic drivers happy. Bodyroll is kept to a minimum while the 4Motion system should keep you safe in adverse conditions and give you the extra traction needed in severe weather. The four-wheel drive system senses when a wheel starts to slip and increases power to the other wheels to maintain traction. Our car was in the Escape trim. In this guise, the Tiguan has improved entry and departure angles for better off-roading, which makes it as effective as a Range Rover Evoque in more adventurous situations. In this trim then the Tiguan has a little more to its armoury when up against the likes of the BMW X1.

Interior and Equipment

The name Tiguan is a combination of the two German words “Tiger” and “Leguan”, with the latter translating to “Iguana” in English.

If you are familiar with the VW range, then the Tiguan’s interior is a logical progression. The materials are made of good quality, while the cabin is airy and the front seats are extremely comfortable on long journeys. Standard kit includes 17-inch alloy wheels, climate control, front armrest and comfort front seats with lumbar support, Bluetooth and VW’s multi-device interface to connect MP3 players. Our version was in the Escape trim, which has different front and rear bumpers when compared to the standard car for off-roading purposes. It also comes with extra underbody protection, which will prove very useful if you’re planning on taking part in a lot of mud-plugging. The Tiguan’s cabin feels spacious both at the front and rear and you get 470 litres of boot capacity as standard. That’s 10 more litres of standard boot space then you get in the Q3, and 50 more than the BMW X1.

Cost

The Audi may have a little more prestige than the Tiguan, but you will get a lot more standard kit on the VW. That means that the Tiguan is still better value for money.

Official combined economy figures are 47.1mpg while emissions are 158g/km of CO2. That’s really close to the Audi Q3 powered by the 2.0 TDI with 138bhp, which has an average fuel economy of 49.6mpg while CO2 emissions are 149g/km. The Tiguan in Escape trim is priced from £28,665 while the Audi Q3 2.0 TDI with 138bhp in S-Line trim is priced from £29,790. The Audi may have a little more prestige than the Tiguan, but you will get a lot more standard kit on the VW. That means that the Tiguan is still better value for money.

Our Verdict

The VW Tiguan is a decent entry among all of the more premium-class compact off-roaders within the market. While it’s not the cheapest, most efficient or quickest compared to some rivals, it still feels good to drive and the whole engine range feels solid. VW’s Tiguan also receives the thumbs up in the looks department. It is more stylish than the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1, although the Range Rover Evoque wins the overall class award for its striking lines. Adding the Escape trim to the VW range helps to widen the appeal of the Tiguan to the off-roading community. With plenty of kit as standard and a fairly frugal engine, this particular VW is set to fluster a few feathers.