Volkswagen brings Tiguan into line with Mk8 Golf

VOLKSWAGEN Group Australia (VGA) has detailed its refreshed Tiguan line-up for 2021 with the new model-year update bringing revised styling, new variants and naming structure, more technology and fresh pricing with the range now starting from $39,690 plus on-road costs.

The updated range has been split across three trim levels with four different powertrains set to be available, each of which will arrive at different times between mid-March and June.

The first variant expected to arrive is the entry-level 110TSI Life which will carry the aforementioned sticker price of $39,690 plus on-roads, marking a range entry-price increase of $4700 over the outgoing 110TSI Trendline.

Power in the Life comes courtesy of the same turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as found in its predecessor, still good for 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque, all of which is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT).

A more powerful, 2.0-litre all-wheel-drive 132TSI version – 132kW/320Nm – will also be offered in June paired to a seven-speed transmission and priced from $43,690.

Standard equipment highlights on the Life variants include 18-inch Nizza alloy wheels, LED lighting all round, an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, reversing camera, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, power tailgate, three-zone climate control, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers and heated power-folding wing mirrors.

Safety gear meanwhile is taken care of by the IQ. Drive suite which consists of travel assist, front assist with pedestrian monitoring, lane assist with adaptive lane guidance, emergency assist, adaptive cruise control, side assist, rear cross-traffic assist, park assist, front and rear parking sensors, driver fatigue detection and 360-degree proactive occupant protection.

Above the Life twins in the range is the Elegance trim level which builds on the Life’s standard spec with extra creature comforts like a bigger 9.2-inch infotainment system, 19-inch Auckland alloy wheels, Vienna leather-appointed trim, powered and heated front seats with easy entry and memory function, heated steering wheel, adaptive chassis control, Matrix LED headlights, tinted rear windows, 30-colour ambient interior lighting and chrome exterior trim.

Elegance variants will be available with the option of both petrol and diesel power, the former being the familiar 162TSI ($50,790) 2.0-litre turbo four-banger good for 162kW/350Nm.

The 147TDI ($52,290) diesel mill will also be available in late May and generates 147kW/400Nm with both powerplants sending their power to all four wheels via the Life 132TSI’s seven-speed DCT – both are due here in late May.

At the top of the range, the flagship R-Line will be available with the same choice of engines (162TSI: $53,790/147TDI: $55,290) and up both the visual and luxury antes to the next level with a wealth of R-Line-specific features.

Rolling on 20-inch Misano alloy wheels, the R-Line adds Vienna leather-appointed upholstery inside, an R-Line steering wheel with haptic controls, stainless steel pedals, black headliner and progressive styling.

In addition to the bigger wheels, the R-Lines boasts unique front and rear bumpers, side sills, rear spoiler and plenty of R-Line badges around the body.

VGA managing director Michael Bartsch said the upgrades to the Tiguan would make the model even more synonymous with the Volkswagen name.

The brand managed to chalk up 188 sales of the current Tiguan last month accounting for 1.5 per cent of the total sub-$60,000 medium SUV segment sales – a 60.8 per cent drop compared to January last year (480/4.0%).

2021 Volkswagen Tiguan pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs