2009 Volkswagen Tiguan Preview

• Comfortable ride
• Quiet cabin
• Zippy 2.0L 200hp engine with a generous helping of torque
• View to the heavens with panoramic sunroof
• Turn-by-turn directions from nav-system is audible and displayed directly in front of the driver

Cons:

• Excessive body lean with aggressive turns
• Touch-screen for navigation and audio functions has a slow response
• The cargo area with the second-row seats in place is too small for bicycles, camping gear and other large items
• Weak fuel economy - need the TDI version for better mileage
• A little pricey with today’s weak dollar and strong Euro exchange rate

Tiguan. Doesn’t quite roll off the tongue very well, unless I’m missing something in the German to English translation. Anyone know what a Tiguan really is besides it being V-dub’s new sport compact crossover SUV?

In reality, Tiguan is another one of those names concocted by the marketing department. A melding of the German words Tiger (“tiger”) and Leguan (“iguana”). Someone please tell me how Volkswagen’s new cute-ute has the combined the attributes of a fierce jungle cat and a lazy decorative reptile.