VW Tiguan

[haven]

VW has released some new information about the Tiguan, its new compact sport utility (think Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester). Delivery is scheduled for Spring of 2008, about six months from now. The middle of the price range will be about $28,000.

The Tiguan will offer the same 2.0-liter turbodiesel that will appear in the Jetta. The diesel has 236 lb-ft of torque available from 1750 to 2500 rpm, and will be capable of towing 5000 pounds.

Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions will be offered on front-wheel drive models, but only the automatic will be offered on AWD Tiguans.

European models will be available with a shorter, more slanted front air dam that provides a 28-degree approach angle. I'm sure somebody will import these as a grey-market upgrade. Here's a Tiguan with short air dam:

Chip Haven

 

[ujoint]

Cool. I'm looking forward to having some diesel choices in the future!

 

[AndrewClarke]

Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions will be offered on front-wheel drive models, but only the automatic will be offered on AWD Tiguans.

Aaand right there you described how I went from 95% going to buy one if it all checks out, to 5% going to buy one.

Why oh why oh why can't I buy a 6-spd manual diesel AWD? I'm so sick of manufacturers here in North America deciding that manual transmission == cheapskate option. Many of us actually PREFER a manual, thank you very much.

It sucks that they'll offer the manual, then likely discontinue it due to lack of consumer interest. It's not like it's not available in other markets; a quick check of http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/assets/pdf/tiguan_pricelist.pdf , for instance, shows that a 6spd manual is available with 4Motion and both of VW's diesels. Oh well

- Andrew.

 

[ChuckB]

Aaand right there you described how I went from 95% going to buy one if it all checks out, to 5% going to buy one.

Why oh why oh why can't I buy a 6-spd manual diesel AWD? I'm so sick of manufacturers here in North America deciding that manual transmission == cheapskate option. Many of us actually PREFER a manual, thank you very much.

It sucks that they'll offer the manual, then likely discontinue it due to lack of consumer interest. It's not like it's not available in other markets; a quick check of http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/assets/pdf/tiguan_pricelist.pdf , for instance, shows that a 6spd manual is available with 4Motion and both of VW's diesels. Oh well

- Andrew.

Agreed!

 

[4Rescue]

Aaand right there you described how I went from 95% going to buy one if it all checks out, to 5% going to buy one.

Why oh why oh why can't I buy a 6-spd manual diesel AWD? I'm so sick of manufacturers here in North America deciding that manual transmission == cheapskate option. Many of us actually PREFER a manual, thank you very much.

It sucks that they'll offer the manual, then likely discontinue it due to lack of consumer interest. It's not like it's not available in other markets; a quick check of http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/assets/pdf/tiguan_pricelist.pdf , for instance, shows that a 6spd manual is available with 4Motion and both of VW's diesels. Oh well

- Andrew.

Yep... SOOOOOOOO lame.

 

[haven]

Well, VW changed its mind, and won't be supplying the Tiguan with a diesel engine to North America for a while. Sales of the diesel Tiguan are going great in Europe, however.

Recently VW announced the MSRP of the 2009 Jetta TDI will be $21,990 plus options. That's about $2000 more than the similarly-equipped gasoline powered Jetta.

The Tiguan's MSRP starts at $22,490, so when the diesel Tiguan appears, its price will probably start around $25,000 -- assuming the Dollar doesn't collapse farther vs the Euro while we're waiting.

Chip Haven

 

[Rockcrawler]

That's too bad... I've been eyeing the TDI Tiguan for my next business vehicle. Hopefully they have the TDI here by the time I'm ready to replace the Jetta.

 

[RedDog]

As a past VW owner (Scirocco & GTI - and my sister's driveway has FOUR VW's in it), this unit with a diesel is the first of it's segment to appeal to me. But, as with a few others here, the lack of a manual transmission with AWD is a deal breaker. No manual = no sale here.

 

[SWbySWesty]

Bringing this up since it's good stuff and Tiguan is here. I like it and wouldn't mind having one even if it meant no manual tranny

 

[Rockcrawler]

Bringing this up since it's good stuff and Tiguan is here. I like it and wouldn't mind having one even if it meant no manual tranny

I agree and would have bought one already if they brought it to the US with the TDI engine. Instead, my business went to Ford and an ecoboost engine.

 

[dzzz]

Any indication of vw quality improving?

Edit: Answering my own question, yes. Consumer Reports still rates Toureg as a POS, but several other models are recommended. Tiguan rates high (gas version only).