A combination of the words ‘tiger’ and ‘leguan’ (German for ‘iguana’), the name ‘Tiguan’ was chosen from VW’s shortlist after the company received around 350,000 suggestions from readers of the German magazine Auto Bild. We like the name, especially since others under consideration were Rockton, Nanuk, Samun, and Namib.

With its somewhat muscular and resolute stance, its unique front and rear ends, the Volkswagen Tiguan Trend & Fun is refreshing to look at compared to other compact SUVs like BMW’s aging X3 and Honda’s ugly duckling, the CR-V. . The Trend & Fun spec model comes with 16-inch San Francisco wheels from VW, although there are some attractive 19-inch alternatives available. Chrome grille surround, colour-coded exterior mirrors and door handles are standard across the range. Overall, the Tiguan is well-proportioned and stands out on the road.

Once inside, the front seats embrace you. The optional power seat adjustment in our test car meant there were an almost infinite number of driving positions available and, when combined with the optional heated seats, made for a very comfortable ride, especially in the Cape winter. The interior is luxuriously appointed and we found the fit and finish to be excellent. The controls are in the right places and easy to use. The touchscreen radio is easy to use and the 8-speaker system offers good sound quality, especially if you have an MP3 player, which is connected via the auxiliary socket in the center armrest.

Rear passengers get ample legroom and a center armrest with two cup holders. The rear seats are folding in a 60/40 split, they have reclining adjustment, and another feature is that they are longitudinally adjustable, that is, they slide forward and backward. Boot space is 471 litres, or 1,510 liters with the seats folded forward, and should be enough for four luggage or monthly purchases. Numerous safety features, including 6 airbags; anti-lock brakes; Electronic Stability Program; side impact protection and rear Isofix anchorage points, which are standard across the Tiguan range, contribute to its 5-star Euro NCAP rating.

At 200mm, the Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4 TSI Trend & Fun has quite a bit of ground clearance compared to others in its class. The ride height gives a good all-around view of the road, however the relatively thick C-pillar can be a hindrance at times. When paired with VW’s permanent four-wheel drive (4Motion), the Tiguan has the credentials, at least on paper, to deliver competent off-road driving. However, and this is often the case with most SUV owners, we couldn’t test it. Like most Tiguan drivers, our time is spent almost exclusively in the urban jungle and black stuff. But the Tiguan feels at home on the tarmac. The ride is firm but comfortable and the 4Motion provides confident progress, especially in the wet. Steering is direct and well-weighted when on the move, thanks to speed-sensitive power steering. However, we felt the steering could have been lighter when maneuvering around town or in tight spots.

Giving the Tiguan its legs is the world’s first direct injection petrol engine with dual charge technology. The 1.4-liter engine features a mechanically actuated turbocharger and supercharger. This innovative combination ensures power delivery throughout the rev range with little or no turbo lag and equates to more power but better fuel economy than a similarly powerful 2.0-litre engine. The 1.4-litre TSI produces 110kW at 5,800rpm and a healthy 240Nm of torque between 1,750 and 4,000rpm. Although peak power is produced relatively high up the rev range, the good spread of torque makes the Tiguan a pleasant drive, and this is the little 1.4-litre ace. At highway speeds, you can cruise comfortably in sixth gear and climb most hills without having to move the gearbox. Even when driving at urban speeds, the engine goes into 5th and 6th gears from 80 km/h without complaint. The engine responds and speaks to the driver with a tenacious little growl. It’s a shame the gearbox isn’t as elegant as the engine it’s mated to. We found that it was notched and, when pushed through the gears, somewhat clunky.

We like…

• Styling.
• Well equipped interior.
• Firm but comfortable ride.
• Quality fit and finish usually associated with more expensive cars.
• Great “little” TSI engine, with its responsiveness and tenacious growl.

We would like…

• Traditional parking brake, as opposed to the electronic one installed, which seemed to behave inconsistently.
• Better synchronized manual gearbox, or VW’s successful automatic DSG.
• Light steering at low speed.
• An auto-folding feature for the relatively bulging side mirrors – think tight parking spaces or busy street parking.

Fast facts

• Engine capacity: 1390cc
• Number of cylinders: 4 cylinders, in line
• Aspiration: supercharged and turbocharged
• Power: 110kW @ 5800rpm
• Torque: 240 Nm at 1,750 – 4,000 rpm
• Type of traction: Four permanent wheels
• Acceleration: 0-100 km/h in 9.6 seconds (claimed)
• Top speed: 192 km/h (claimed)
• Fuel consumption: 8.4 l/100 km (claimed combined)