CONQUEST OF SPACE(some text hidden)

By Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review word count: 48

Volkswagen's improved Tiguan Allspace 7-seat SUV gets revised design, extra control and assist systems and new premium features. And, of course, it's still as practical as ever. Could it be all the car you'll ever really need? Potential buyers will probably see this car in just that way.

Background word count: 112

Increasingly, it's no longer enough to just offer a single mid-sized five-seat SUV. The market's now demanding that mainstream makers also provide variants of such models that are lengthened enough to be able to incorporate a third seating row. Volkswagen couldn't ignore this trend - and didn't, bringing us this bigger 'Allspace' Tiguan derivative in 2017, then updated four years on to create the car we're going to look at here. It's not much larger than the standard version; 215mm of extra length has been added, with the wheelbase extended by 109mm. Still, as we'll see, it's enough to make quite a difference to the way you can potentially use this car.

Driving Experience word count: 305

You wouldn't expect the changes made to this slightly lengthened Allspace model to have much effect on drive dynamics - nor have they. If anything, the stretched wheelbase has had a positive effect on this model's roadgoing demeanour, the extra weight and longer stance helping the suspension smooth over bumps through higher speed corners. Ride quality is an established strength of the ordinary Tiguan and remains an attribute here, aided immeasurably by the hi-tech MQB platform that sits beneath the bodywork. There are no changes to the engineering of this Allspace model over the ordinary Tiguan and Volkswagen has also worked hard to ensure that this variant's extra 215mm of body length doesn't upset that car's reassuring handling balance. At the foot of the engine range is a 150PS 1.5-litre TSI EVO unit with 'Cylinder-on-Demand' technology and 2WD. Most buyers of this car though, will probably want the alternative 2.0 TDI diesel, which now gets more efficient twin-dosing selective catalytic reduction system. Many likely customers will want this car fitted with the 2.0 TDI 150PS unit, which can be ordered with with front wheel drive or (with a DSG auto 'box fitted) with 4MOTION 4WD. If you go for the pokier 200PS 2.0 TDI powerplant, you have to have 4MOTION and the DSG auto. The 4MOTION and DSG systems are also mandatory if you choose the top 2.0 TSI petrol engine, available with either 190 or 245PS. The fifth-generation four-wheel-drive 4MOTION system provides a faster apportioning of power to all four wheels via a process that provides pre-activation of the rear clutch and improved operation of the electronic differentials. In recent times, nearly three-quarters of Tiguan buyers in the UK have shown a preference for AWD. In 4x4 form, the car has 200mm of ground clearance, 11mm more than it would have in 2WD guise.