VW TIGUAN

Meet the Tiguan. A new compact SUV from the oh so exciting folks over at VW. Based on the Golf platform, the Tiguan will give VW it's first foray into one of Australia's most popular and fastest growing car segments. There will be two distinctly different version of the Tiguan, with one being more focused for pretend off-road work, while the other will be more of a CBD poser. It hasn't been decided yet if Australia will get both versions, with the more off-road orientated one having a shorter front overhang for what VW thinks will enable it to tackle steep inclines better. To be honest though, if you tried to do any serious off-road action in either one then you better take out life insurance. After all, the Tiguan is a cross-over, an SUV, not a 4WD. If you want to go bush bashing consider a Freelander 2. This is just all talk. But even then, it's not even really that either...

While it must be said that there is much more effort visible in terms if detailing, such as the chrome grill and Eos-like headlights, the overall shape of the thing is as predictably boring as it's Golf sister. For the love of God Volkswagen, take some Valium or something, because you need to start learning how to style cars sooner rather than later. Once the whole 'It's a VW so it's reliable and classy' thing starts to wear off, people will see these cars for what they really are. Thoroughly competent, superbly engineered, but as mind numbingly boring as a coma. Take the interior, for instance. Does Volkswagen think that a bunch of circular vents will fool us into thinking this is a groovy dashboard? It might for some fools, but from where I'm standing it looks like it's come from a bus, or perhaps VW's commercial department.

Reliability will surely be top notch, but what's new? And how many of VW's competitors struggle in this department anymore? The point is, the competition has caught up to Volkswagen in this regard, and have now well and truly surpassed the Germans in terms of desirability, style, and in many instances, interior quality. Take the all conquering Golf. One very sound ownership proposition, but incredibly dangerous as you will fall asleep at the wheel, such is the lack of excitement. Now Fiat, Peugeot, Ford Europe, Audi, Volvo, and Alfa Romeo all build more interesting cars, and none of them fall apart anymore. They've all either reached Golf levels of reliability and performance, or improve on that level altogether. What's more, Skoda are now using VW technology to build cars with personality. It seems that many VWs are now positioned to take on Toyota rather than fellow prestigious badges from the Continent. If this is the case, then cars like the Tiguan suit their purpose perfectly. It's reliable, has some superb engines, and will be relatively cheap to buy and own. Just don't ask for anything over that, as you won't get it.

Compare the Tiguan to a RAV4 or CRV and it makes sense. Compare it to other upcoming European counterparts and it really makes no sense at all. Unless you're desperate not to be noticed of course.