New Car Review: Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace R-Line

The Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace is the larger and longer version of the popular Tiguan model, designed to suit those that need both extra space and the versatility that extra seats can bring too. The Tiguan has been a huge success for Volkswagen, both internationally and domestically and for any of the more ‘enthusiastic’ environmentally conscious of you, reaching for the Xanax at the thought of a large, diesel SUV, here is a sobering fact. None of the ID.3 or ID.4 electric models would have come about if it wasn’t for the money made from selling these, very profitable, SUVs. Well whatever about the regular Tiguan, the Allspace still has the ace up its sleeve at the back, because, for now at least, you can’t get a 7-seater EV from Volkswagen (The ID.Buzz will eventually see to that, but expect both the price tag and availability to be equally depressing). Yes, of course, some of you aren’t yet quite ready to become EV owners either. But either way, for now, a large 7-seater SUV that is capable of north of 800km on a full ‘tank’ means you are going to be buying a diesel. So what do we make of this one?

Well let’s deal with the latest upgrades to the model and they are apparent as soon as you blip the key, where a large LED strip of light glows across the handsome radiator grille, which now gets the new Volkswagen logo. It wasn’t fitted to our test car, but you can also have the IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights (basically super-duper headlights) but even the regular ones look great and bring the Tiguan in line with the rest of the range. In some markets, you can have the Allspace as a five- or seven-seater, but here in Ireland it only and thankfully comes with the extra seats, which fold flat when you don’t need them, leaving an enormous luggage capacity of 700 litres with the seats folded away. Due to a slightly redesigned front, the Tiguan Allspace has grown by 22mm, but overall the dimensions are pretty much unchanged.

The most significant changes to the Tiguan Allspace have taken place inside the car. There are new infotainment systems, a new Digital Cockpit and some of the most comfortable seats you will find around. (If you want to treat your back with love, order up the ergoActive seats with electric 4-way lumbar support adjustment and massage function.

Our test Allspace came with the tried and trusted 150hp 2.0-litre TDI which has been given some subtle tweaks to try and keep emissions in check. CO2 emissions are 155g/km, putting it in VRT Band 17 with Annual Motor Tax of €280. That is quite decent considering the car’s considerable bulk.

This doesn’t feel like a rapid vehicle anymore in the era of neck-snapping electric car acceleration but it never feels slow. 0-100km/h takes just under 10 seconds, which is fine for a vehicle that weighs in at 1,735kg, but this weight is significantly less than the equivalent ID.4, which can be around 2,200kg, but will get to 100km/h in around 3 seconds less in GTX form.

The addition of new items such as Travel Assist (which will stop you and move off again in heavy traffic) and Adaptive Cruise Control makes commuting and long journeys especially easy in the Allspace and of course if you need 7-seats, which if you have kids and their friends are quite frequently, then the versatility these extra seats provide is always welcome.

There are a total of four grades of Tiguan. An entry-level manual model just named ‘Tiguan Allspace’ that costs €39,595. Then there is the Life model from €46,225, the Elegance from €58,280 (only available as a DSG auto) and then the model we were in, the R-Line, from €59,075. This gains 20” Suzuka Alloy wheels, lots of R-Line logos throughout, a Sports Pack, with progressive steering, sports suspension and shocks and inside some ArtVelour upholstery and R-Line carpet mats. We would probably choose the Life model with the DSG transmission which costs just over €50,000 (July 2022).

The last time the Tiguan Allspace was tested by Euro NCAP was in 2016 and back then it received the full 5-stars for safety and the latest model is likely to match that given the raft of new safety items, including Travel Assist. All Tiguan Allspace models have ESC, Front Assist, Lane Assist and a Pedestrian Detection Monitoring System. Life models add Park Distance Control and Driver Alert System, Elegance models add a Proactive passenger protection system in combination with Front Assist and Side Assist. There is also the addition of a Lane change system and Travel Assist.

For more information, visit www.volkswagen.ie