2009 Volkswagen Tiguan Review Saint Paul MN

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Introduction 

What's New - The Tiguan is Volkswagen's all-new entrant in the compact crossover class of vehicles. It offers up a 200-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, an available six-speed manual transmission, available all-wheel drive and driving dynamics superior to most vehicles in its class.

Competes With: Honda CR-V, Saturn Vue, Toyota RAV4

What We Think - Volkswagen calls the Tiguan the GTI of compact crossovers. While it's certainly fun to drive, there are others out there that offer up almost as much fun with more power or more capability. It's good, and we like the Tiguan, but a GTI it ain't.

Volkswagen Tiguan - 2009 Review: Volkswagen has taken to calling its new 2009 Tiguan compact utility vehicle the "GTI of sport utilities." Now, we like the Tiguan just fine. It's one of the better vehicles in its class, really, with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, an available six-speed manual transmission (rowing your own gears is rare in this class), optional all-wheel drive and the usual selection of goodies available from most of its competitors, and then some. Through the roads around the Rocky Mountains outside of Boulder, Colo., where we first sampled the Tiguan, we found it to be an enjoyable vehicle in most respects.

But there was nothing about the Tiguan that reminded us of Volkswagen's GTI. The fabled hot hatchback boasts great handling and power in a sophisticated package compared to cars like the Civic Si or the Subaru WRX. About the only GTI-like thing about the Tiguan is its price, which comes in considerably higher than many of its Toyota and Honda competitors. Price aside, if it really was the GTI of its class, we'd be jumping up and down, singing its praises, and probably standing in line right now to buy one.

As it is, the Tiguan is more like the Rabbit of compact crossovers. It is a little more fun to drive than its competition, offers up a more sophisticated European driving experience, and has a conservative German style that looks good without being flashy. In the same way the Rabbit appeals to those who need an inexpensive compact, but want an alternative to the homogenized world of Toyota Corollas and Honda Civics, the Tiguan will appeal to those who need a crossover, but don't want to see themselves coming and going in a Honda CR-V. They'll likely be happy with it, as long as they know that it ain't no GTI.

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