Review: Volkswagen Tiguan: No point

I never thought I'd miss the Volkswagen Thing, the little German Jeep-wannabe VW sold to hippies and surf bums for whom even a Microbus was too square. A week with the new 2009 VW Tiguan compact SUV proved me wrong.

The Thing, an angular and primitive little military-based SUV VW built from 1969 until 1983, was delightfully odd, and it charmed me, though I never drove one. It was a mutt, but a lovable one.

The Tiguan is a purebred, but a dull one. The SUV drives like a dream, but its anonymous styling and somber interior make no emotional connection, while its limited cargo space and thirst for pricey premium fuel weigh against it on practical grounds.

A smooth, free-revving 200-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged direct injection engine is the only engine offered in the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan. Prices start at $23,200 for a base front-wheel drive Tiguan S with five-speed manual transmission.

Adding a good six-speed automatic transmission raises the price to $24,300. The automatic transmission is standard on all models but the front-drive S. The S is not available with all-wheel drive.

The Tiguan SE adds some standard features, including automatic transmission, and starts at $26,925 for a front-wheel drive model and $28,875 for all-wheel drive. The Tiguan SEL prices start at $30,990 for front-drive and $32,940 for all-wheel drive.

I tested a front-wheel drive Tiguan S whose only option was rear-seat side air bags, a useful feature no other vehicle in its class offers. The model I tested had a sticker price of $24,650.

The Tiguan, which uses a platform based on the autobahn-bred VW Golf and Jetta, easily outshines that competition in terms of handling, but it trails on most other fronts.

The Tiguan's handling sets the benchmark in its class. The electro-mechanical steering is responsive and well-tuned for both parking lot maneuvers and highway driving. The suspension absorbs bumps well but also holds the SUV stable in quick maneuvers. Brake feel and response are excellent.

The Tiguan has antilock brakes, stability control, curtain air bags. The standard front-seat side air bags and optional rear side bags are welcome additions.

The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with turbocharging and direct fuel injection is becoming a staple in VW's lineup. It serves well in the Tiguan, giving adequate power for passing and scooting around town.

Fuel economy is a major drawback. The Tiguan's EPA ratings of 18 miles per gallon in the city and 24 on the highway trail all the competitors I've named, and the VW alone recommends premium fuel.

Cargo space is a weakness. The 23.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 56.1 cubic feet when that seat is folded trail the competition. The Tiguan's styling is bland. The shape is generic cute-ute, just another little SUV that fades into a crowded parking lot.