Eight years after its debut as a concept car at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan retains the compact crossover vehicle’s unique status.
It’s still largely unheralded, and it’s among the oddest named cars in the United States. The Volkswagen Tiguan concept debuted at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show to a fair amount of head scratching . . . “What’s a Tiguan?”
The name (pronounced TEE-gwan) is a combination of the word Tiger and the German word “leguan”, which means “iguana.” The name is odd, for sure. But it won a naming contest in a German car magazine over more bizarre finalists: Namib, Rockton, Liger, Samun and Nanuk.
Key Takeaways
- R-Line tested: 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 200 horsepower, a six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive.
- $36,880 MSRP and $37,745 as tested.
- 21 mpg city and 26 highway.
- Five trims: S, SE, SE with Appearance, SEL and R-Line, all with four-cylinder engines.
- Interior: The interior materials are surprisingly plush with intuitive dials and an easy-to-master navigation system with an undersized screen.
The Weekly Driver Test Drive
The 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan is available in five trim levels: S, SE, SE with Appearance, SEL and R-Line. All trims have two rows of seats and four-cylinder engines.
My weekly driver was the new top-line, sport-oriented R-Line. In addition to including the long list of standard features from other trims, the R-Line adds: 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive bi-xenon headlights with LED running lights, a sport body kit, a sport-tuned suspension, LED license plate illumination, automatic wipers, power-folding exterior mirrors, full power front seats, driver memory functions, leather upholstery, special interior accents (including an R-Line steering wheel with paddle shifters) and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Driving Impressions
Powered by 2-liter, 200-horsepower engine and a six-speed automatic transmission, the Tiguan I test drove had front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is also available on all trims but the manual transmission S.
The R-Line has a firmer suspension than the other trims and its personality has hints of a sports car masked as a small luxury SUV.
I drove the Tiguan on city streets and on several highway treks during the week and was repeatedly impressed with the crossover’s refinement. Combine the leather seats with a quiet ride and the car’s confident demeanor and the Tiguan means business. It’s quick for its segment and it maneuvers well.
The Tiguan has a slightly raised rear wheels, which further add to the Tiguan’s attractive exterior. The interior materials are surprisingly plush with intuitive dials and an easy-to-master navigation system with an undersized screen.
2014 Volkswagen Tiguan Verdict
The Tiguan has been criticized for its smaller cargo area, but it seemed satisfactory, particularly with the back seats folded down. That configuration worked well for a rare recent treat. My wife and I took the Tiguan to a drive-in movie, a first in maybe 20 years. The cargo area accommodated the two of us with pillows and a blanket just fine.
Likes
Near luxury ride and handling.
Upscale interior.
Impressive turbocharged performance.
Overall comfort.
Acceleration.
Dislikes
Fuel economy could be better.
Cargo space not the largest in the compact SUV segment.
Expensive for the segment.
Facts & Figures: 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $36,880 |
| As-Tested Price | $37,745 |
| Engine | 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 200 hp |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive |
| Fuel Economy | 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined mpg |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| Airbags | 6 |
| Warranty | Bumper to bumper 3 yr/36,000 mi; powertrain 5 yr/60,000 mi; corrosion 12 yr/unlimited; roadside assistance 3 yr/36,000 mi |
James Raia
A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
Don’t forget about the TDI version, if you want better gas mileage.