I've just read Autocars first opinions on the new Tiguan.

They found it was clinical and lacked sparkle.

Summing up with" not something a driving enthusiast would choose to ferry their family around in."

In addition, it's also gained 85 KG in weight,and has longer gearing to reduce the Co2.

(makes leaving out the spare wheel to save just a few Kilos seem a bit paltry.):wonder:

To be fair you don't necessarily get this style of car for driving oompph. They are practical cars. Apart from a Golf GTI VW's tend to be lacking in sparkle anyway. They are however good cars and sell by the bucket load. At about £4-£5k more than a Yeti equivalent however I think I will be staying with Skoda.

How close is the Yeti to the Tiguan , I know engines etc , but other aspects , transmission , inderpinnings etc

How close is the Yeti to the Tiguan , I know engines etc , but other aspects , transmission , inderpinnings etc

They're both essentially based on the Golf platform (as is the Octavia, and the Audi A3 and a number of other cars).

The Tiguan is however a good 200mm or more longer than the Yeti - though as stated they share the same Golf wheelbase and underpinnings. Peculiar that the new one weighs so much more than the pre-facelifted one? Pity they did not have enough money to get rid of those awful airvents on the inside...

As we all know, What Car tend to criticise the Yeti, but like the new Tiguan (although they don't compare prices!). They say:

What is it?

Volkswagen's compact crossover, the Tiguan, gets a mid-term update.

What's new?

The Tiguan has three new petrol engines – a 158bhp turbo- and supercharged 1.4 and 2.0-litre turbos delivering 178 or 207bhp – and a 109bhp 2.0 diesel. Even the two existing engines, 2.0-litre 138 and 168bhp diesels, deliver improved economy with lower emissions.

The front and rear have been restyled to ensure the Tiguan looks like it's part of the latest VW range and to bring it into line with the company's big 4x4, the Touareg. New comfort and safety options include variable suspension control (DCC), self-parking, road sign recognition, automatic headlight beam adjustment, prevention of unintended lane changes and a monitor to detect tired drivers and warn them to take a break.

What's the line-up?

As before, all models are five-door five-seaters, and there's a choice of front- or four-wheel-drive, but not with every engine. Front-wheel-drive versions are designated Bluemotion Technology and have engine stop-start and a brake energy recovery system, while those with four-wheel-drive look a bit sturdier and have more off-roading aids, including greater ground clearance beneath the front bumper. There will be four trim choices.

Is it any good?

Very. The Tiguan has always been one of the better compact crossovers, and this mid-life update should keep it that way until it's time for a replacement. It gives you as much space as a mid-sized five-seat MPV, but with the option of being more adventurous in all-wheel-drive guise.

Refinement and ride comfort (especially with DCC) are outstanding for the class, and the driving position is less up-in-the-air than in many similar cars, although some buyers might not find that a good thing.

What are the downsides?

It's not as adventurously styled as a Ford Kuga or Kia Sportage, or the forthcoming Audi Q3 and Range Rover Evoque.

The 138bhp diesel, which will be far and away the best-seller, is disappointingly short of mid-range torque – especially noticeable when trying to find an overtaking spot – and even the 168bhp version needs a most un-diesel-like dose of revs before you have the confidence to pull out to pass. It's all down to changes in the gearing to bring about the improvement in economy.

The lane-change prevention system fuzzes the messages coming through the steering (although you can switch it off), while the top-line touch-screen sat-nav dishes out instructions way before you need to turn, which gets confusing in town.

Should I consider one?

If you're in the market for this sort of car, you'd be a fool not to. It makes the switch from more routine compact family car to crossover a seamless process.

Chris

This is why I don't like What Car. Badge snobs lol

Autocar also said it rode well- my Tiguan rode appallingly. It was a pleasant and capable car but was too heavy, too thirsty, awful to park and not that reliable. The Yeti- early days- is so much better it's ridiculous given both were 140 TDI 4x4 cars. I have no idea why anybody would blow the extra cash on the vW- the blue dash lights are the only thing that is better.