Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 162TSI Highline R-Line 2018 Review

Block test
How appropriate that Volkswagen sponsors the Channel 9 reality show The Block. Because our first drive of the new Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace was little more than around, er, the block.

Mind you, that was more than expected when we showed up in the Melbourne suburb of St Kilda at The Block’s 2018 renovation. Originally, it was going to be a static inspection of the stretched ‘5+2’ Tiguan and a bit of background on its equipment and positioning ahead of its July launch.

Instead, a brief drive was offered and accepted ... with alacrity!

What’s it all about?
The Allspace is a long-wheelbase and long-body version of the second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan that arrived Down Under last year. The extra length has freed up room for a pop-up third row of kids-only seats and extra luggage space.

It shares its five drivetrain choices with the Tiguan (four-cylinder petrol and diesel, front- and all-wheel drive), but omits the entry-level Trendline specification and a manual gearbox choice. So, it’s Comfortline and Highline and DSG auto-only.

Rather than repeat ourselves too extensively, here’s what we’ve gone through previously in covering the emergence of the Allspace:

>> The launch at the 2017 Detroit show
>> Our first European drive
>> The first drip-feed of local plans by VW Australia
>> And another round of product detail and expectations

In this case, we get to drive the 162TSI Highline R-Line. Translated, that is the top-spec turbo-petrol engine choice, which is a 162kW/350Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder allied with a seven-speed wet dual-clutch DSG auto and on-demand Haldex all-wheel drive.

R-Line is a predominantly cosmetic option pack that includes bumpers and sills, a black rear spoiler, 20-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, brushed stainless steel pedals, a steering wheel with paddles, black headliner, and R-Line scuff plates.

How much is it?
Good question. Volkswagen Australia is keeping those specifics to itself for now. But we believe Allspace will command a $3000 premium over a like-for-like Tiguan.

So that makes the base 110TSI Tiguan Allspace Comfortline about $40,000 and the 162TSI Highline tested here a $52,000 (approx) proposition.

Add around $3000 for R-Line – it’s $4000 in Tiguan but stuff like adaptive chassis control is standard in the Allspace – and you come out to $55,000. That’s all guesswork of course, but we won’t be too far away.

By the way, warranty, service intervals and pricing are expected to be the same as Tiguan. So, three years/unlimited-km and 15,000km or 12 months with the first three years servicing cost quoted at $1712 for the 162TSI.

No official word yet on fuel consumption – which will be very close to Tiguan obviously – or ANCAP crash ratings. The Tiguan gets five stars (2016).

The back-seat story
Back to the B-pillar there’s nothing much that differentiates the Allspace from the standard Tiguan. But open the longer rear door and that’s where the story begins. The extra 109mm of wheelbase has liberated heaps of extra rear leg and knee-room.

Even with a very tall driver in place and the front seat pushed way back I could sit comfortably, aided by the second row’s sliding (and tilting) function. Headroom and elbow room are also excellent. This is comfortably a four-adult vehicle.

Commendably, there’s been a lot of attention paid to passenger comfort back here. There are dual flip-up trays, dual seatback pockets, sizable door pockets, a fold-down armrest with dual cup-holders, door grabs, overhead grabs and adjustable air-con vents.

Go further back and it’s definitely a kids-only zone -- like many in its class, but less so in slightly pricier large crossovers like the Toyota Kluger, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento and Mazda CX-9. I didn’t even try to get in there.

Importantly, the side airbags do stretch to row three but there are no adjustable air-con vents. Cup-holders are provided next to the left-hand seat.

With the two third-row seats in place there’s still 230 litres of luggage space; 700 litres when folded. Neat touches include the torch clipped into the boot and the way the security blind stows under the floor.

Also, down there is a space-saver spare tyre, which is disappointing for a vehicle classified as SUV – but hardly unusual these days.

Around the block
Up-front in the driver’s seat, the Allspace has exactly the same look and feel as the Tiguan, including MY18 updates such as the latest 9.2-inch gesture-control infotainment screen.

Built in Mexico, the perceived quality of Allspace is startlingly high and typical of modern Volkswagens.

Say what you will about DSG and TFSI engine issues -- Dieselgate, Monkeygate and the rest of it -- but VW’s ability to do an interior that feels a step-up from its pricepoint and a step ahead of the opposition is unparalleled.

Another distinct VW trait that quickly emerged in the stop-start traffic around St Kilda was the DSG’s unpredictable tip-in throttle lag. Almost every time the throttle was pressed from low revs the response was prompt, but every now and again it was frustratingly unresponsiveness.

That can be a real issue in cut-and-thrust traffic, such as when trying to dart into a crowded roundabout and the like. It’s a pity because the 162TSI engine is a ripper in terms of broad and deep torque response, as well as refinement.

The Allspace’s longer wheelbase contributes to a ride that feels a less nobbly than the Tiguan’s, even on the R-Line’s 20-inch rubber. Of course, with adaptive dampers the ride behaviour could be dialled through comfort to sport, varying the feel quite noticeably.

For its size, at just over 4.7 metres, the Allspace felt nimble to steer and easy to move about. It’s a good viewing platform, although the aid of cameras and sensors in tight situations is appreciated – including ‘manouevre braking’, another MY18 feature that will brake at less than 10km/h to avoid obstacles.

Final thoughts
A drive around the block and The Block is hardly a solid basis on which draw concrete conclusions. But it’s easy to deduce the Allspace builds on the quality foundations of the Tiguan.

Undoubtedly, Volkswagen’s first seven-seat passenger vehicle – let alone SUV – is going to construct a niche for itself in Australia’s booming SUV market.

How much is a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 162TSI Highline R-Line?
Price: $55,000 (estimated, plus on-road costs)
On sale: July
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 162kW/350Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed DSG auto
Fuel: N/A
CO2: N/A
Safety Rating: N/A