Review: 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Elegance - Like a Passat with 7 seats

By Gokul, 12 August 2022

We find out why the Tiguan Allspace Elegance is one of the brand's best-sellers

Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Elegance

As popular as cars like the Golf and Passat may seem, the model which has been raking in the highest number of sales for Volkswagen for the past few years in Malaysia is actually the one you're looking at here - the Tiguan Allspace.

Available in three variants - Tiguan Allspace Life, Tiguan Allspace Elegance, and Tiguan Allspace R-Line, the model in discussion today is the mid-range Elegance variant, which is the most sought after among the three.

Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace review Malaysia

So, in order to find out just why it is so popular, we spent a couple of days with the Tiguan Allspace, and we finally understand why.

From the design standpoint, there is no denying that the Tiguan Allspace Elegance is a handsome looking SUV. Having replaced the previous Highline variant, the facelifted version here comes with sleeker and more stylish headlights and taillights, a more striking and noticeable front end thanks to the LED light bar which runs across the face, as well as a set of 18-inch "Frankfurt" wheels - all of which give the Tiguan Allspace Elegance a significantly more stylish appearance versus its predecessor.

Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Elegance rear

Of course, the best looking variant out of the three is the R-Line which comes with bigger wheels and more aggressive looking bumpers but due to the different powertrain setup and additional features, that variant costs RM45,000 more. But then again, it is not always about power and sportiness, is it?.

Plus, if you put the R-Line and the Elegance variants next to each other, the differences are not that glaring actually, except for the silver 18-inch rims versus the dark grey 19-inch wheels and the different bumpers. So, powertrain aside, you're not really losing out much in terms of looks. 

Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Elegance

Anyways, the moral of the story here is that the Tiguan Allspace Elegance is still a handsome SUV that would appeal to a wide spectrum of buyers both young and old.

Inside, the Tiguan Allspace Elegance looks quite similar to the outgoing model at a glance, but after having a closer look, you will notice that there are many new features in it, starting from the new three-spoke steering wheel. 

Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Elegance interior

And then we have the larger 11.7-inch digital instrument panel, a 9.2-inch Discover Pro touch screen infotainment system which supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, new control panel for the tri-zone climate control, ambient lighting, and the Vienna leather seats.

In typical Volkswagen fashion, the seats offer good level of support. They are not too firm nor too soft, and felt just nice. Since everything is in the same colour, the Tiguan Allspace's cabin may not look very enticing in pictures but it is actually a very cozy and refined place to be in.

Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Elegance seats

Space is abundant in front and in the second row, but leg space comes at a premium in the third row which is more suited for children and average-Asian-sized adults. There is also ample space to store things, and all the controls are either positioned ergonomically or could be accessed using the steering wheel.

On the downside, you need to make sure that you have a USB type C to type C cable in order to be able to charge your mobile device, as all ports are strictly 'type C' and there's no 'regular USB' port.

Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Elegance rear seats

In terms of driving dynamics, what we have here is one of the nicest SUVs to drive in its segment. The turbocharged 1.4-litre TSI engine's 150 PS and 250 Nm of torque that is available from as early as 1,500 rpm are more than adequate, and the way the 6-speed DSG wet dual-clutch gearbox seamlessly and instantaneously delivers all that power to the front wheels is nothing short of impressive.

Complementing the smooth power delivery is a well-weighted steering and a beautifully built chassis which translates into a very sharp and responsive vehicle which is quite fun to drive both in town, on the highway, and along twisty bits. 

Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Elegance gear

Although there is no all-wheel drive system like the more aggressive R-Line variant, there is very little body roll and plenty of grip that come courtesy of the 18-inch tyres. Last but not least, making sure that everyone in the Tiguan Allspace Elegance are well entertained is the eight-speaker audio system.

Where safety is concerned, there is still room for improvement as the list of equipment doesn't include blind spot monitoring and autonomous emergency braking.

What you do get however, are six airbags, vehicle stability control, hill descent control, and ISOFIX child seat mounts. 

Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Elegance infotainment

In a nutshell, like all vehicles out there, the Tiguan Allspace Elegance has its ups and downs. If you can look past the shortcomings in terms of safety features, what we have here is a handsome, spacious and practical seven-seater SUV that is an ideal family vehicle that is also quite fun to drive.

Specifications

  • Engine: 1.4-litre turbocharged, 4-cylinder petrol
  • Max power: 150 PS at 5,000 rpm
  • Max torque: 250 Nm from 1,500 to 3,500 rpm
  • Transmission: 6-speed DSG wet dual-clutch
  • 0 to 100 km/h: 9.5 seconds
  • Top speed: 200 km/h
  • Fuel consumption: 7.7 l/100km
  • Price: RM175,346 on the road without insurance
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