It’s all about that space…
The bigger Tiguan Allspace has just been released for those who either need more boot space (or more ‘butt’ space), with a newly-added third row for two more youthful members of the car-pool club.
With the Tiguan’s credentials of WesBank COTY 2017 top-ten finalist, and sales figures that beat the VW Golf month after month, the 7-seater, European-spec Allspace should do well here. When Volkswagen brought it here to be endurance-tested in the sweltering Northern Cape towards the end of 2016, they denied that it would become part of our local line-up, yet it now finds its way to SUV-loving, South African families.
What’s different?
Despite having a 110 mm longer wheelbase and being stretched by 215 mm overall, most changes have been made purely to accommodate the third-row inhabitants, but there are a few Allspace-exclusive styling changes too: A new hood and radiator grille (with chrome trim strips), granite grey underbody protection, and a redesigned roof with structural lines instead of a smooth surface, a throwback to early SUV design. To make the elongated Allspace more proportionally pleasing, the bonnet has been raised to look taller, and the rear doors have been extended so the kids can reach the back seats a little more easily.
If you have Bear Grylls aspirations, you can also spec your Tiguan Allspace with an optional off-road package. With underbody protection that extends to a body-coloured off-road bumper, it gives the Allspace an improved ramp angle for adventures such as driving down the Sani Pass (but make sure you spec outdoorsy tyres). The package also includes black sills and stylish aluminium tread plates.
Even if you don’t go for the R15 000 off-road pack, the customizable Off-road mode can be selected from the rotary dial (in front-axle biased, all-wheel-drive 4MOTION derivatives), for maximum traction where its most needed in all conditions, including snow. We’re not saying you should forego the upcoming Touareg , but if you’re not going to do ultra-heavy bundu-bashing, the Allspace (with 4Motion) may just do very nicely.
Extra room
Second-row passengers benefit most from this “space giant” (Volkswagen’s words,) with an additional 6 cm of legroom. Third-row passengers will feel cramped, as headroom and legroom is limited - but this is exactly the case in the Lexus RX as well - in fact, most third row SUV-seats are lacking in the comfort department and are purely meant for the kiddos. But then there’s always the more affordable and highly underrated Volkswagen Caddy, or Kombi if a more usable third row is required.
Access to the Allspace’s third row is relatively painless - if you’re younger than 12, at your goal weight, and with sufficient flexibility in your back. The second row can slide forward for a smidge more breathing space, but then the second-row passengers have to give up precious kneeroom – but they do have a fair bit to start with.
When there are seven bottoms on all seven seats, there is 230 litres of luggage volume left that fits about four large school suitcases. Fold down the third row and there are 700 litres to fill with sports equipment. With both rows flat, 1775 litres will easily transport a blues band’s instruments. Seats can be configured in different positions, depending on your stowage requirements.
Interior
Typically Volkswagen, the interior is sharp, upmarket and organized. Trendline and Comfortline models get the smaller Composition Colour infotainment system as standard, while the larger and more advanced Composition Media system is standard on the Highline derivative, with Discover Pro Satnav.
Volkswagen’s digital instrument cluster (or Active Info Display, as they like to call it – the same as Audi’s Virtual Cockpit), does duty in the Allspace as well (optional), offering the driver different views of what they deem to be important. The Allspace can also be specced with a Head-up Display, with information such as current speed or navigation instructions projected onto the windscreen.
Just like the shorter Tiguan, the Allspace also comes optionally equipped with semi-autonomous safety features like ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) with Front Assist, including VW’s City Emergency Braking function. There isn’t an option for functions like lane keep assist/lane departure warning and steering assist as of yet, but this will probably become available later on in the Tiguan’s lifetime.
The Drive
Our first drive through the green and lush Kwazulu-Natal landscape was conducted in the 2.0 TDi 4Motion Derivative, the only diesel in the range, which comes equipped with a 110kW / 340Nm two-litre engine. The relatively heavy Allspace is surprisingly nimble-footed, displaying zero body-roll and driving more like a hatch than a bulky seven-seater SUV, but the power of the 110kW diesel-engine doesn’t quite hit you in the small of your back if you need to overtake someone in a hurry – especially if you’ve been at the lower end of the rev range. It’s best to wait for the coast to be completely clear before making your move. It’s not to say that the diesel is tardy though…plus it’s so much more economical than the petrol-engines. VW’s claimed figure is 6.6 litres per 100km, but we came closer to 8.
The Allspace with its 132kW 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine (also in Comfortline guise) was put to the test after lunch, proving how much of a difference 22kW can make. This ‘new’ engine is exclusive to the Tiguan Allspace and Volkswagen expects it to be their biggest moneymaker in the Allspace range, as it falls exactly within the sweet spot for power output and affordability. Eager to get going, the powerplant is hardworking and ambitious, but we still used 10.2 litres of petrol per 100 km, which is about the going rate for a car and engine of this size. Both of our test cars were riding on large, low(ish) profile wheels, so if you’re going to hit the rougher stuff on a regular basis, be sure to spec chunkier tyres. The potholes didn’t put too much of a dampener on the Tiguan’s go-anywhere spirit, despite a few being quite deep. The Tiguan also rides on gravel and dirt like a dream, never feeling hesitant – the quick-thinking 4Motion system never skips a beat.
Verdict
Volkswagen is positioning the latest Tiguan as ‘the most sophisticated family car in South Africa’, and considering what you’re paying and what you’re getting, they may just have a point. It’s a sensible and stylish buy for people who need more space than the average five-seater SUV offers – many consumers will be interested in the larger boot even more than they will be in the small seats in the rear. If you can keep the pricey options boxes unticked, you can get away with a handsome, decently-specced German SUV.
Sure, there’s some tough competition in the shape of the 7-seater Nissan X-Trail, but Volkswagen purists won’t stray from the brand. I can imagine that current new-generation Tiguan owners are considering a trade-in as they’re reading this article… same brilliant car, more features*, bigger boot…what’s not to like?
New Tiguan Allspace Prices (VAT and emissions tax included)
| 1.4 TSI 110kW Trendline DSG | R463 400 |
| 2.0 TSI 132kW Comfortline 4MOTION DSG | R523 800 |
| 2.0 TDI 110kW Comfortline 4MOTION DSG | R571 100 |
| 2.0 TSI 162kW Highline 4MOTION DSG | R604 800 |
Prices correct at the time this article was published - please visit the VW Tiguan Allspace microsite here for the latest prices.
Grade walk
Tiguan Allspace Trendline
Available with the 1.4 TSI 110 kW engine, the Tiguan Allspace Trendline has more features than the NWB (normal wheelbase) Tiguan Trendline, with standard features such as:
- LED daytime running lamps;
- Light and Visibility Package (Auto dimming mirror, rain sensor and auto headlight control and High Beam Assist);
- Chrome trapezoidal panels for exhaust system tailpipes;
- Front underbody protection in granite grey;
- Privacy glass on rear and side windows.
Tiguan Allspace Comfortline
Compared to the Allspace Trendline, it is available in 2.0 TSI 132kW 4MOTION or 2.0 TDI 110kW 4MOTION variation. In addition to the features of the five-seater Comfortline and Tiguan Allspace Trendline, this version offers even more additional standard features, such as:
- Electrically opening and closing tailgate;
- LED headlights with dynamic cornering lights;
- Hill Descent Assist.
Tiguan Allspace Highline
The flagship model is equipped with the 2.0 TSI 162 kW engine with 4MOTION. On the five-seater Tiguan, the Highline’s features already include 18-inch alloy wheels, a silver front spoiler, silver roof rails, LED headlights with dynamic cornering lights, ambient lighting and Composition Media infotainment. The Tiguan Allspace Highline has further features added, including:
- Keyless Access (locking and starting system);
- Easy Open sensor controlled boot opener;
- App-Connect and Voice Control.
The Tiguan Allspace comes standard with a 5-year/90 000km service plan, 3- year/120 000km warranty, 12-year anti-corrosion warranty and space saver spare wheel. (Service Interval is 15 000km.)
