Youthful and surprisingly fun to drive, the VW Tiguan 1.4 TSI might just be the ultimate SUV, writes The Wheel Deal.

Drive: 6/10

For an SUV, the VW Tiguan really offers an excellent overall driving experience. The ride is a certainly on the firm side but this makes Volkswagen’s littlest off-roader surprisingly agile along asphalt roads. In fact, it feels rather like a Golf with a longer, slightly softer suspension set-up. Body-roll is controlled, which means the Tiguan never feels like it’s going to tip over if you get overly enthusiastic. There’s also massive amounts of grip from the 4motion four-wheel drive system, so you can keep your foot down through corners regardless of the conditions. Drive it off the beaten track and you’ll continue to be impressed with its poise and polish. With limited ground clearance the Tiguan is never going to tame the Camel Trophy but it will be perfect for an occasional foray down a scarred dirt road or a lonely country prairie. The complex supercharged/turbocharged 1.4 TSI engine provides more than enough poke and, when driven considerately, can return reasonable fuel consumption figures. Now I know some people would prefer to spec the Tiguan with the diesel engine but I really enjoyed the little 1.4’s effervescence and thrashability. More than game for the occasional traffic light GP, it also makes the Tiguan a relaxed long distance cruiser. I wasn’t especially taken with the six-speed manual gearbox, however, because when worked hard it became somewhat innacurate and had a tendency to baulk. Although it isn’t an option, I think the Tiptronic gearbox would better suit this SUV’s character.

Exterior Design: 3/5

Benefiting from a fuss-free shape with muscular overtones, the VW Tiguan is a stylish machine that will certainly appeal to both sexes. It can look a little plain in basic spec, especially when painted white, but on the whole it’s certainly much more attractive than Honda’s bulldog-jawed CR-V and Chevrolet’s Captiva. The design of the front grille is particularly fetching and helps give the Tiguan a distinctive face and character.

Interior Design: 3/5

Austere in the true German tradition, the Tiguan’s interior is certainly not the most exciting place to spend one’s time. It is, however, fantastically well made and filled with clever storage binnacles that will keep your kit hidden from prying eyes. Our test car was fitted with optional leather upholstery and a multi-function steering wheel that controls the excellent iPod compatible sound system and a comprehensive on-board computer. Although some might not be impressed by the size of the Tiguan’s boot, overall cabin space is generous and the rear seats can be slid backwards and forwards to accommodate taller passengers or awkwardly sized luggage.

Overall: 12/20

Of all the SUV’s I’ve driven over the last year, the versatile Volkswagen Tiguan has been the one that I’d most likely buy if I were shopping for a lifestyle crossover vehicle. Combining spirited on-road dynamics and mild off-roading credentials into an attractive and well built package, it certainly is an attractive proposition for those looking for a soft-roader sans the stodge.

VW Tiguan 1.4 TSI 4motion Trend & Fun Fast Facts:

Price: R296 000

Engine: 1 390cc turbocharged/supercharged straight four
Power: 110kW at 5 800rpm
Torque: 240Nm between 1 750 and 4 000rpm
Acceleration: 0-100 km/h in 9.6 seconds (claimed)
Top speed: 192 km/h
Fuel consumption: 8.4l/100km (claimed combined)
CO2: 199 g/km