The long-running Golf isn’t the only Volkswagen getting an update in 2021.

    The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan goes head-to-head with some of the best-selling cars in Australia, including the Toyota RAV4, making it a huge deal Down Under.

    After dealing with limited supply and a model range impacted by WLTP emissions tests in Europe, there’s now a full model range in Australia with petrol and diesel engines.

    The base 110TSI will arrive in March alongside the Mk8 Golf hatchback, followed by the 162TSI and 147TDI in May, and the 132TSI in June.

    Along with the smoothed-over exterior, the Tiguan benefits from the latest semi-autonomous driver assists, including highway steering assist.

    LED Matrix headlights are available, and the interior trades most of its buttons for touch-based sliders in keeping with the new Golf.

    Updates to the seven-seat Allspace will be revealed in due course, as for now only the five-seater has been treated to a makeover.

    2021 Volkswagen Tiguan pricing

    • 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan 110TSI Life: $39,690
    • 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan 132TSI Life: $43,690
    • 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI Elegance: $50,790
    • 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan 147TDI Elegance: $52,290
    • 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI R-Line: $53,790
    • 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan 147TDI R-Line: $55,290

    All prices exclude on-road costs.

    Engines

    Power in the base Tiguan 110TSI comes from a 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque. It’s front-wheel drive and has a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

    The 132TSI has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol which ups power to 132kW and torque to 320Nm, and subs the six-speed dual-clutch to a seven-speed unit. It’s all-wheel drive.

    The 162TSI is the most powerful petrol engine, with 162kW and 350Nm. It’s also all-wheel drive and uses a seven-speed DSG.

    Finally, the 147TDI is a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine with 147kW and 400Nm, mated with a seven-speed DSG and all-wheel drive.

    Fuel Economy

    Claimed combined fuel economy figures for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan are below:

    • 110TSI: 7.7L/100km
    • 132TSI: 8.8L/100km
    • 147TDI: 6.1L/100km
    • 162TSI: 8.5L/100km

    Dimensions

    The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan measures 4509mm long, 1839mm wide and 1675mm tall, with a 2681mm wheelbase.

    Boot space is 520L with the rear seats in their rearmost position and 615L with them slid forward, while folding them flat frees up 1655L of space.

    Servicing and Warranty

    The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

    Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km. Volkswagen offers prepaid servicing plans for the Tiguan: a three-year plan will set you back $1200, and the five-year plan costs $2400.

    Safety

    The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan wears a five-star ANCAP rating based on testing carried out in 2016.

    Standard safety equipment atop the eight standard airbags includes:

    • Low- and high-speed autonomous emergency braking
    • Lane-keeping assist
    • Rear cross-traffic alert
    • Adaptive cruise control
    • Parking sensors
    • Driver fatigue monitoring

    The Tiguan scored 96 per cent for adult occupant protection, 80 per cent for child occupant protection, 68 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 68 per cent for safety assist.

    Standard Equipment

    Standard equipment in the Tiguan Life includes:

    • 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with satellite navigation
    • Wireless (and wired) Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
    • 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro
    • LED headlights, fog lights, tail lights
    • 18-inch alloy wheels
    • Space saver spare wheel
    • Power tailgate
    • Tri-zone climate control (two front, one rear)
    • Automatic headlights and wipers
    • Heated, folding mirrors

    Moving to the Tiguan Elegance adds:

    • Vienna leather seat trim
    • Powered, heated front seats with electric lumbar
    • Heated steering wheel
    • 19-inch alloy wheels
    • Space saver spare wheel
    • Adaptive Chassis Control
    • IQ Matrix LED headlights, dynamic rear indicators
    • 9.2-inch infotainment touchscreen
    • Tinted rear windows
    • 30-colour ambient lighting
    • Extra chrome and silver exterior trim highlights

    The range-topping Tiguan R-Line gains:

    • 20-inch alloy wheels
    • R-Line steering wheel with touch buttons
    • R-Line exterior body kit
    • R-Line badging
    • Stainless steel pedals
    • Black headlining
    • Power tailgate (without kick operation)

    A number of options packs are available:

    The Luxury Package (Tiguan Life, $5000) adds:

    • Vienna leather trim
    • Heated steering wheel
    • Powered, heated front seats
    • Panoramic sunroof

    The Sound and Vision Package (Elegance and R-Line, $2500)

    • Head-up display
    • Area view
    • Harman/Kardon premium sound system

    A panoramic glass sunroof is an option on the Elegance and R-Line ($2000), and metallic or pearlescent paint will set you back $800.

    MORE: Volkswagen Tiguan news, reviews, comparisons and videos

    Scott Collie

    Scott Collie is an automotive journalist based in Melbourne, Australia. Scott studied journalism at RMIT University and, after a lifelong obsession with everything automotive, started covering the car industry shortly afterwards. He has a passion for travel, and is an avid Melbourne Demons supporter.

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