The name Tiguan comes from a mash-up of the words "tiger" and "iguana." No, we're not joking, and no, we're not sure if they're pumping something funky into the air supply of VW HQ. Why not the VW Giraffaroo or the VW Turtlephant?
So the 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan's name is pretty different, but in a way it's rather fitting. While other compact crossovers put an emphasis on family-friendly utility, this VW is known for its impressive…
The name Tiguan comes from a mash-up of the words “tiger” and “iguana.” No, we’re not joking, and no, we’re not sure if they’re pumping something funky into the air supply of VW HQ. Why not the VW Giraffaroo or the VW Turtlephant?
So the 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan’s name is pretty different, but in a way it’s rather fitting. While other compact crossovers put an emphasis on family-friendly utility, this VW is known for its impressive build quality, high-end interior and sophisticated road manners. The only small crossover from a European automaker, it’s certainly a step up from something like a Honda CR-V, though it’s still not as luxurious as a full-bred luxury crossover like the Audi Q5.
The Tiguan’s appeal starts with its exterior, which draws inspiration from both the bigger Touareg SUV and the compact Golf hatchback. Its curvaceous lines are subdued, but the Tiguan won’t be confused for anything else. The same can be said for its high-class interior, which boasts best-in-class materials and simple controls.
Every VW Tiguan is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 that produces 200 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. All trims come standard with front-wheel drive, while 4Motion all-wheel drive is optional on the SE and SEL. The S and Wolfsburg Edition get a standard six-speed manual transmission, while a six-speed automatic is optional on them and standard on the SE and SEL.
In performance testing, an all-wheel-drive SEL went from zero to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds — midpack performance. Its EPA-estimated fuel economy is again midpack at 18 mpg city/24 highway and 21 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and the automatic, while the S trim’s standard manual raises those numbers to 19/26/21. With all-wheel drive, the Tiguan returns 18/24/20.