2018 Volkswagen Tiguan: XL for America
When the second generation of the Tiguan was introduced in Europe last year, it was announced that an extended-wheelbase version of the compact SUV would hit the market as well.
That’s the one we’ll be getting in Canada and the United States.
- Also: The 2018 Atlas is Volkswagen’s New SUV
- Also: Volkswagen I.D. BUZZ Concept: Creating what its Name Suggests
The stretched 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan’s wheelbase is 4.4 inches (112 millimetres) longer than the regular Tiguan, which we won’t be getting. And compared to the outgoing model, the new Tiguan is 10.7 inches (272 mm) longer. Needless to say, interior space will grow substantially.
In Europe, it will be called the Tiguan Allspace to distinguish it from the regular-wheelbase version, but in North America, it will simply be called the Tiguan. A five-passenger seating arrangement will be standard, but an optional third row will allow room for seven.
A turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine will find its way under the hood of the US and Canadian Tiguan, which will produce 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. That’s down compared to the current model’s 200 horses, but it’s still more than most of its compact SUV competitors, including the Mazda CX-5, the Toyota RAV4 and the Nissan Rogue. An eight-speed automatic transmission will be standard, while 4MOTION all-wheel drive will be optional.
Available features aboard the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan will include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, a heated steering wheel, an eight-way power driver’s seat, a panoramic sunroof and a power tailgate, while the usual plethora of advanced safety devices will be offered as well, such adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring and lane keep assist.
The introduction of the new-generation Volkswagen Tiguan coincides with the arrival of the midsize, 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, which will be built in Tennessee and on sale this year.
