The 2013 Tiguan Highline | Photo: Philippe Champoux
In the world of practical vehicles (because, let's be honest, there are many), sometimes it takes a little flare and pizzazz to set yourself apart from the masses. And that's precisely what the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline does.
With a starting price just under the $30k mark, the 2013 VW Tiguan isn't cheap, and that's because it's not. As with any Volkswagen, it's all about German engineering, and in the Highline R-Line trim (which my tester was sporting), quality is the name of the game in this compact CUV. From the drive to the feel of the interior materials, the Tiguan offers practicality with a touch of sophistication not often found in the segment.
Germanic looks
Volkswagen's latest design trend is fabulous. I love the clean lines, masculine touches and classy angles. Some might consider the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline “plane” or even boring, but I implore you to take a closer look at the entire package. From the businesslike front grille (where the “R-Line” logo was nicely nestled on my tester), to the LED-framed HID headlights, back across the muscular, flared wheel arches, to the taught, simplistic rear: there's very little not to like about the Tiguan Highline. A subtle, spoiler juts off the roofline and the 19” 5-spoke alloy wheels give the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan an equally sporty look; letting you in on its “fun” side.
Inside, sophistication and organization look continues -- with a touch of “wild.” The asymmetrical, perfectly proportioned middle console might seem simple and stripped down, but it's actually quite perfect. It's all right there; no searching for buttons required, no faffing about, which is just great. The only hang-up I have about the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan's interior bits and bobs is in regards to the onboard entertainment system. The touch-sensitive screen has a bit (read: a lot) of a delay that's quite aggravating and annoying.
European inside and out
On the wild side of things, the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline -- thanks to its near $3,000 R-Line trim option -- featured a fancy and oh-so-sexy flat bottom steering wheel that I absolutely loved. This might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's the subtle touches like that which set the Tiguan (and most Volkswagens with touches like that) apart from the pack and make them that much more attractive.
Interior space is decent in the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline. Obviously, it's not the largest vehicle out there, but it does the job. Fitting a standard-size baby-seat in the back was a breeze, however, the trunk just managed to swallow a stroller, and not much else.
Comfortable seats, outfitted in saddle brown Vienna leather, front and back, make journeying in the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan a delight. But it's about more than the seats when it comes to piloting this sporty little CUV.
Autobahn drive
Powering the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline is a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder coupled with VW's 6-speed automatic transmission. While my tester did not sport the always-fun-to-drive DSG, it was still a pleasure to pilot and I was rarely left wanting more from the 200 horses on board. Popped into “sport” mode and the Tiptronic automatic transmission performs accordingly and never stumbles over gears.
Steering felt good, if a little loose. I wanted to feel a bit more connected to the vehicle, but then in a CUV you can't really ask for much more. Visibility is great and I felt comfortable and well-suited in the driver's seat. Not too small, not too big. Just right. Where's my bowl of porridge?
With VW's 4MOTION all-wheel drive keeping me firmly planted on the road, I was often shocked at how car-like the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan actually felt -- I really could take a corner like that.
And that's one of the main reasons the Tiguan stands apart from the compact CUV pack: It's driveability coupled with its design and engineering. Sure it will have its rattles and annoying wear-and-tear bits down the line, but in the end you know you've got yourself a solidly (at the core) built, German vehicle and I think that's well worth the price of admission to own one.
With a starting price just under the $30k mark, the 2013 VW Tiguan isn't cheap, and that's because it's not. As with any Volkswagen, it's all about German engineering, and in the Highline R-Line trim (which my tester was sporting), quality is the name of the game in this compact CUV. From the drive to the feel of the interior materials, the Tiguan offers practicality with a touch of sophistication not often found in the segment.
Germanic looks
Volkswagen's latest design trend is fabulous. I love the clean lines, masculine touches and classy angles. Some might consider the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline “plane” or even boring, but I implore you to take a closer look at the entire package. From the businesslike front grille (where the “R-Line” logo was nicely nestled on my tester), to the LED-framed HID headlights, back across the muscular, flared wheel arches, to the taught, simplistic rear: there's very little not to like about the Tiguan Highline. A subtle, spoiler juts off the roofline and the 19” 5-spoke alloy wheels give the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan an equally sporty look; letting you in on its “fun” side.
Inside, sophistication and organization look continues -- with a touch of “wild.” The asymmetrical, perfectly proportioned middle console might seem simple and stripped down, but it's actually quite perfect. It's all right there; no searching for buttons required, no faffing about, which is just great. The only hang-up I have about the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan's interior bits and bobs is in regards to the onboard entertainment system. The touch-sensitive screen has a bit (read: a lot) of a delay that's quite aggravating and annoying.
European inside and out
On the wild side of things, the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline -- thanks to its near $3,000 R-Line trim option -- featured a fancy and oh-so-sexy flat bottom steering wheel that I absolutely loved. This might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's the subtle touches like that which set the Tiguan (and most Volkswagens with touches like that) apart from the pack and make them that much more attractive.
Interior space is decent in the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline. Obviously, it's not the largest vehicle out there, but it does the job. Fitting a standard-size baby-seat in the back was a breeze, however, the trunk just managed to swallow a stroller, and not much else.
Comfortable seats, outfitted in saddle brown Vienna leather, front and back, make journeying in the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan a delight. But it's about more than the seats when it comes to piloting this sporty little CUV.
Autobahn drive
Powering the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline is a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder coupled with VW's 6-speed automatic transmission. While my tester did not sport the always-fun-to-drive DSG, it was still a pleasure to pilot and I was rarely left wanting more from the 200 horses on board. Popped into “sport” mode and the Tiptronic automatic transmission performs accordingly and never stumbles over gears.
Steering felt good, if a little loose. I wanted to feel a bit more connected to the vehicle, but then in a CUV you can't really ask for much more. Visibility is great and I felt comfortable and well-suited in the driver's seat. Not too small, not too big. Just right. Where's my bowl of porridge?
With VW's 4MOTION all-wheel drive keeping me firmly planted on the road, I was often shocked at how car-like the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan actually felt -- I really could take a corner like that.
And that's one of the main reasons the Tiguan stands apart from the compact CUV pack: It's driveability coupled with its design and engineering. Sure it will have its rattles and annoying wear-and-tear bits down the line, but in the end you know you've got yourself a solidly (at the core) built, German vehicle and I think that's well worth the price of admission to own one.
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