Crossover Utility Vehicles

2019 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line - Re- Driven Review - With 3rd Row

2019 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion: Teutonic solidity in mid size three-row SUV catering to American tastes.

BIGGER CROSSED ANIMAL BREED REVERSES COURSE: There has been a turnaround of fortunes for German automaker Volkswagen in the U.S.. The People's Car maker has been extending a super-size peace branch for the "Diesel Gate" environmental fumble. Leading the way is the larger 2018 Mk. 2 re-design of the VW Tiguan "compact" crossover, available stateside solely in jumbo long wheelbase form. Putting the numbers in perspective, the 110,000 Tigu's sold last year amount to half the of all VW models moved out of U.S. showrooms in 2012!

WHY A RE-DRIVE?: Roadblazing.com editors' previously drove a citrus growers Mk. 2 drive of a Habanero Orange, two-row mid-trim level 2018½ Tiguan SE 4Motion. Since then a new athletic appearance package has been added. Introducing Roadblazing.com impressions of a mouthful, the top trim 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion.

Driving Hits:

221 lb-ft of torque swings in at low 1500 rpm
Genuine torque converter 8-speed automatic transaxle
27 miles per gallon, combined driving
475 miles fuel tank range
Solid MQB platform
Smoothly taut road behavior
Above par steering assist weighting
Model of muted cabin

Driving Misses:

Powerplant slogs at WOT with nearly 4000 pounds
Suspension fights 4000 pounds in the corners
Transaxle loves highest possible gear
All-season highway tires lack all-terrain capability

2019 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion: R-Line exterior cues include sporty gloss black front and rear lower valances and mighty 20" wheels

What It Has Got:

From $25,415 (incl. destination) for a front-drive 8-speed tiptronic automatic 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan S. The tested 2019 VW Tiguan SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion 3-Row elevated the sticker to a considerable $40,510
Niche size straddles large compact to small mid-size
R-Line styling motif features athletic look
- Prominent gloss black lower front fascia chin and rear lower valance
- Thinner headlamp housings
- 20" wheels
Solid build
Tight weave carpeting even on cargo area walls
Rides high
3rd Row for 7 occupant capacity standard in front drive models
Supportive front seat bolstering
Massive cargo capacity aft of 1st Row
40/20/40 split nearly flat folding 2nd Row seat backs
Intuitive controls with a dash of German refinement
Above par standard feature set
- Heated mirrors, front seats, headlamp washers
- Keyless comfort entry, ignition
- Cruise control
- Power windows full express x 4
- Bluetooth wireless communications and music stream
- 6.5"-inch touch LCD infotainment display
- 6 speaker audio
- Inductive wireless device charging (SE trim and up)
- Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink phone projection
- Wi-Fi
Good safety features & grades
- IIHS 2020 Top Safety Pick
Driver assist tech enhanced on lower trims for MY 2020
- Forward Collision avoidance w/ pedestrian & cyclist detection braking, blind spot & rear cross traffic warning
  - Available adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, park distance warning, surround camera, and auto high beams (on higher trims)
4 year / 50,000 miles bumper to bumper warranty includes 2 years maintenance (MY 2020)

2019 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion: 2nd Row tilt & slide entry to cramped 3rd Row

What It Has Not (or Not Preferred):

3rd Row is $595 option in 4Motion all-wheel drive models
25.2"-inches 3rd Row legroom = adult sensory deprivation
Low cabin material contrast and excessive hard surfaces
Instrument panel illumination only accessible via infotainment when parked
Digital Cockpit only on higher trims
Level 2 Driver autonomy only on SEL and SEL Premium trims
Lower models stuck with single USB C port
2 years / 22k miles shorter warranty from 2019 MY

Standout Cool SEL Premium R-Line Feature(s):

2019 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion: 10.25" TFT Digital Cockpit virtual gauges with embedded navigation map

Digital Cockpit configurable LCD instrument cluster w/ navigation map
8.0" Discover LCD HDD navigation infotainment display w/ proximity settings menu
Panorama tilt and slide power moonroof
Customizable variable night cabin accent illumination
Fender 9-speaker premium audio
Leather seats, heated front, driver's 2 position memory
Heated steering and headlamp washers
Power folding side mirrors
Approach activated power liftgate

ROADBLAZING.COM's SUMMATION:

2019 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion = the fully optioned version of the biggest compact crossover you can buy in the land now looks more the roaring jungle cat part. (TIP: save $3900 by choosing the Tiguan SE R-Line Black with similar exterior.)