2009 Volkswagen Tiguan SE 4Motion

What are you driving? A cross between a tiger and an iguana – according to Volkswagen’s trance-induced coinage of the word “Tiguan.” Outside the Sweat Lodge, the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan SE 4Motion is a five-passenger, four-door compact SUV. It’s similar in size to the Ford Escape, which makes it slightly smaller than the class best-seller, the Honda CR-V, and markedly smaller than the Toyota RAV4. Tiguan’s only engine is VW’s smooth and spirited 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder; “4Motion” signifies the company’s no-fuss all-wheel-drive system.  

How much does it cost? SE is the middle of three Tiguan trim levels. Base price is $26,925 with front-wheel drive, $28,875 with 4Motion. The 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan SE 4Motion example in the driveway this week comes standard with a six-speed automatic transmission and is equipped with three options: a $1,950 navigation system, which includes a backup camera; a $1,300 panoramic sunroof with 13 square feet of glass area (not all of which opens); and rear torso side airbags, a $350 supplement to the standard head-protecting curtain side airbags that cover both seating rows. With the $690 destination fee, sticker price comes to $33,165. The base Tiguan S starts at $23,200 but isn’t available with 4Motion. The leather-upholstered top-line SEL model starts at $30,990, or $32,940 with 4Motion.  

Is it worth it? Only if you’re a VW nut or can rationalize the Tiguan as a cut-rate BMW X3, a premium-class compact SUV that starts around $38,000. The 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan SE 4Motion is a solid, well-designed wagon, but it’s difficult to justify its price hop over the wonderful, albeit slower, four-cylinder Honda CR-V AWD EX, which would cost about $25,000 equipped similarly to our test SE 4Motion. The larger and faster Toyota RAV4 Sport with a 269-horse V-6 would come in around $29,000. In fact, $33,000 will put you in the terrific 297-horsepower Infiniti EX35, which boasts a badge that bests VW’s in reliability ratings, resale value, and, in most circles, prestige.   

What’s to like? That particular German approach to design that reveres functionality. Like your dashboard free of gimmicks, your cabin lined with solid materials and useful bins, your seats seriously supportive? The Tiguan’s your compact SUV. Its turbo 2.0 is a gem, despite laying low for a couple of car lengths off the line. The steering is also a bit languid at slow speeds, but quickly firms to perfection. And while long suspension travel allows more body lean in fast corners than you might like, the payoff is a tranquil ride marred only by the occasional hiccup over tar strips. The Tiguan is easy to get into and out of. Once aboard, there’s nothing to impede outward vision. It’s quiet. And it feels like it’s made of sterner stuff than anything this side of that X3. 

What does it need? You might say more cargo room. With the rear seatbacks up there’s less here than in VW’s Jetta SportWagon, and the relatively abbreviated length limits capacity with the rear seat folded. But a longer cargo hold would sacrifice Tiguan’s city-friendly exterior size, and, really, how often do you haul anything that takes up more than 56 cubic feet? If you’re taller than 5-foot-10, you might pine for more rear-seat head clearance, and every back-seater’s going to wonder why the center fold-down armrest isn’t padded. VW’s navigation mavens need to come up with a simpler way to program this system. And a diesel engine option would sate a lot of appetites for efficient power, but Volkswagen may reserve that for the Audi Q5, the Tiguan-based premium SUV due soon from its upscale division.    

What’s Volkswagen’s opinion? “Staying true to Volkswagen’s autobahn heritage, the Tiguan is truly the GTI of compact sport utility vehicles.”

What do you say? It isn’t the GTI of compact SUVs – that would be the Acura RDX -- but the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan SE 4Motion seems built by thinking adults for thinking adults. Most VWs make you feel this way, but they also make you wonder why owners rate them so poorly in third-party surveys of reliability. VW knows this is on your mind, so it covers all its 2009 models with a “Carefree Maintenance Program” that eliminates charges for any scheduled service during the 3-year, 36,000-mile basic warranty period. It’s not the perfect solution, but it addresses one doubt dogging this tiger-iguana.

Vital statistics
2009 Volkswagen Tiguan SE 4Motion

• Base price: $28,875                 Price of test car including $690 destination fee: $33,165
• Size: 174.3 inches long, 102.5-inch wheelbase, 3,631-pound base curb weight
• Engine: 200-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder; all-wheel drive
• Fuel economy: 18 mpg city/ 24 highway (EPA ratings)
• Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper
• Safety ratings: government crash testing not yet conducted. 

Automotive journalist Chuck Giametta has covered the auto industry for more than 20 years as a newspaper reporter, Executive Auto Editor of Consumer Guide books and magazines, and as Managing Editor of Iguida.com. This test vehicle was provided by the manufacturer.