- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 7 seats
- Engine
2.0DT, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
110kW, 340Nm
- Fuel
Diesel 6.1L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2016)
Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 2018 review
Despite the flurry of compact SUVs which claim it’s how you use it that counts, sometimes bigger is just better.
That’s certainly the case for the new Tiguan Allspace that takes the second-generation five-seat model and stretches it out to fit third row seating. It’s the first seven-seater VW has produced despite the even bigger Touareg having been on sale since 2002.
In fact, the Allspace, at 4701mm long, is just 50mm shorter than the first-gen Touareg, which means it's longer than some equivalent mid-size SUV rivals like the Honda CR-V (4596mm) and Nissan X-Trail (4690mm), but just shorter than key rivals like the Hyundai Santa Fe (4770mm) and Kia Sorento (4780mm).
Visually there are not many differences from the front except for a raised bonnet lip and chrome grille across the range. On the side, the back doors are longer and the rear quarter window kinks up for a sleek wagon-like SUV stance.
Underpinning the seven-seat Tiguan line-up is the sporty 162TSI model on test that’s likely to be the volume seller.
- Good use of space
- Great technology
- Compliant ride and comfort
- Third-row is kids only
- Options can be pricey
Is it right for me?
You either need a seven-seat SUV or you don’t – and the equation from there should be simple. But arriving with only a $3000 premium over the equivalent five-seater, the Allspace becomes an interesting proposition. If space is important, (what family with an SUV wouldn’t want to steal a little bit more room) the Allspace has a bigger boot and of course a handy extra two-seats. Just keep in mind the third-row is good for kids only.
And if you’re after a diesel Tiguan, the Allspace will soon be the only model to offer one, as the five-seat has culled its line-up to petrol-only models.
Can I afford it ?
If you can afford the Tiguan then you should be able to afford the Allspace, as it brings just a marginal price increase to the equivalent variant. Available in two model line-ups, Comfortline and Highline, the Allspace does away with the Tiguan’s base Trendline grade. The equivalent models are around $3000 more expensive and engine options are three petrol turbos - the 110TSI, 132TSI and 162TSI - and two diesel turbos - the 110TDI and 142TDI. All are mated exclusively to a DSG automatic transmission.
Pricing starts from $40,490 plus on-road costs for the base 110TSI Comfortline and goes up to $54,490 for the 140TDI Highline. The 162TSI Highline on test, which is tipped to be the most popular model as per the five-seat Tiguan, is priced at $52,990 plus on-road costs.
What do you get for your money?
As the top-spec model in the line-up the Highline comes with the most comprehensive kit which includes larger 19-inch alloys, three-zone climate control, automatic closing electric tailgate, leather interior trim, electric and heated front seats, heated outer second row seating, 9.2-inch infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, automatic high beam LED headlights, adaptive chassis control, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, traffic jam assist, reversing camera, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and high and low speed automatic emergency braking with pedestrian recognition.
How much does it cost to maintain?
Servicing intervals are every 20,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first, and Volkswagen has applied the Tiguan’s three-year $1712 capped-price servicing plan to the Allspace.
Is it well built?
The Tiguan is in its second-generation and the Allspace is the same vehicle but with a 215mm longer body and 109mm longer wheelbase. Across testing of four different variants things like panels gaps and parts were well put together and consistent. There were no rattles and all touch points had a solid click and good feel to them.
What are the Standout features?
The Allspace’s extra third-row seating is the standout feature compared to its five-seat sibling. In its segment, the 230-litre boot with third-row up and 700-litre space with it down are near the top of the class – down only to the Skoda Kodiaq with three rows up and larger than all competitors with the third-row flat.
What does it have that others don't?
Technology is terrific and features such as the 9.2-inch high-resolution, vibrant infotainment system and virtual instrument display cluster are impressive. The driver assistance tech is also comprehensive with a swathe of the latest convenience features like traffic-following radar cruise control, automatic steering assist and low and high-speed automatic emergency braking that works up to 250km/h - well over any Australian speed limit.
How practical is it?
Practical use is well thought out and there’s an adjustable cup-holder or storage pocket right where you want one and the boot is available with optional storage carrying layouts to keep gear tidy.
As standard, the cargo blind stows neatly under the boot floor so it’s out of the way where a rechargeable torch is conveniently located. The automatic closing tailgate is handy too - pressing a button and walking away with hands full the tailgate will automatically shut. It won’t let you lock keys in it either.
Is it comfortable?
The front seats have a good range of adjustment and the driver’s position is versatile, while shoulder room between the front two pews makes for an airy cabin. The second row also sits on soft cushions but the third-row seats are flat and hard - as expected of a compromised fold-flat configuration.
Touch points are made from quality materials and the design throughout is contemporary and clean with items like a steering wheel that looks sharp while also being nice to hold.
The infotainment system is one of the best in class and with DAB+ radio, Apple Carplay and Android Auto Connectivity it has the latest connectivity.
Easy in, easy out?
The front remains unchanged and is essential the same car to hop into as the Tiguan it’s based on, but noticeably wider rear doors make for easier second-row entry and ease the passage into the third-row. But it’s pretty cramped in the very back and something that should only be attempted by little tackers unless in a pinch.
Space and versatility?
The second-row benefits from the 109mm longer wheelbase and 100mm of sliding bench space that should in theory compromise room for both the second and third row. In practice, the second row loses too much knee room by sliding the row forward so the feature is most useful when the third row is flat, liberating a tremendous amount of leg space.
Where Allspace owners will really benefit over the five-seater is in the back where the boot grows almost 100 litres to 700L. With all seats in play the boot is just 230L, but that’s only equalled in this segment by the larger Mazda CX-9 and beaten by its Czech sibling the Kodiaq.
What's the engine like?
The 162TSI unit is a derivative of the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol motor found in the Golf GTI and produces 162kW of power and 350Nm of torque. It tops the range for power and is the best-selling engine in the line-up. For an SUV of this size it has plenty of power and produces a subtle but enjoyable rasp in sport mode.
How much fuel does it consume?
The 162TSI consumes a claimed average of 8.3l/100km.
Is it enjoyable to drive?
The Allspace, like the Tiguan, is built on Volkswagen’s latest MQB platform that underpins a variety of cars from the Golf to the Audi Q2. Here it has been stretched out, but the suspension set-up remains unaffected with good composure and a compliant ride on varied road surfaces.
Further changes to the Highline range include adaptive chassis control as standard which changes the cars attitude from comfort to sport mode via things like multi-stage suspension. Volkswagen says the adaptive dampers are a prerequisite to help the larger 19-inch alloys ride nicely and it’s effective in the real world.
Slackened off, the suspension soaks up bumps and coarse chip surfaces well with a calm ride that never feels too soft or wobbly. Put in sport mode, things sharpen up and patchy surfaces are transmitted in full. But there’s not much need for the setting unless going for a blast, and even then, comfort is a good compromise on poor surfaces.
The cabin is also well isolated from exterior noise and road roar, including on gravel roads, making it a nice car for long road trips. Highway driving is further eased by the adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist that keeps the car nicely centred in the lane and a good distance from leading traffic.
The engine performs well and has good power available low in the rev range though the DSG automatic can feel a little hesitant to get going in comfort and normal driving modes. Importantly, it isn’t slack when dropping down a gear on the road to overtake and get through traffic.
On a quick run up a twisting road the ride wasn’t as composed and even in sport setting the steering lost some accuracy in tight corners, with the car pushing towards understeer at a moderate pace – though this part of the test loop is unlikely to be the home ground of a family SUV.
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Does it perform as you expect?
Entering the seven-seat segment for the first time in Australia, Volkswagen has put forward a compelling product with the Tiguan Allspace.
It’s well finished and rather than cram a third-row into the existing Tiguan shell the Allspace benefits from being dimensionally larger. It pays off in the boot that’s capacious and the second-row that gets extra legroom without the third-row up. And with all of the mod-cons of the normal Tiguan the Allspace will undoubtedly appeal to bigger families.