Volkswagen Tiguan Experience: Conquering Limits And Redefining Boundaries

Long has the off-road realm been an exclusive domain, reserved only for the most rugged, the truly hardcore SUVs, designed solely for the wild. But times are changing! No longer confined by labels, the so-called 'soft off-roaders' are stepping up, challenging the status quo, and standing shoulder to shoulder with the traditional rigid SUVs.

Shattering conventional norms, the Volkswagen Tiguan seamlessly offers a strong balance of capabilities, refinement, and comfort, proudly standing as a dependable and strong all-in-one solution for those seeking a versatile and robust vehicle that effortlessly fits into any garage.

In an ode to exploration and demonstration of the off-roading capabilities of the new Tiguan, Volkswagen orchestrated a thrilling saga with the Tiguan Experience, an off-road spectacle that unveiled the SUV's unmatched capabilities.

After being held in a number of metropolitan cities, the two-day chapter was held in Gurugram starting from November 4th, 2023. An exclusive off-road course provided a rigorous test for both the vehicle and the driver, presenting multiple challenges that pushed the limits of the SUV’s capabilities.

Volkswagen Tiguan Off-Roading Experience

After a comprehensive briefing from our instructor detailing the course's intricacies, we geared up to tackle our first challenge: The autocross. Simply put, it comprised a sequence of deep undulations that thoroughly tested the SUV's suspension and ground clearance.

Impressively, the Tiguan effortlessly conquered this obstacle without requiring any manual acceleration, except for a few instances where I applied brakes to regulate speed over the undulations. Remarkably, the SUV navigated the course sans the need for specific off-road modes, courtesy of its intelligent 4Motion AWD system.

This seamless system handled the terrain, ensuring a smooth glide over the obstacle while the commendable ground clearance provided added reassurance throughout the experience.

Moving on, our attention turned to the Hill Climb and Downhill obstacles, areas where the Tiguan's 2.0-litre TSI engine truly shone. The SUV effortlessly climbed the steep slope, showcasing the engine's capabilities and characteristics.

Our instructions were straightforward: Keep the steering straight and maintain a consistent acceleration, leaving the rest to the SUV's capabilities. With 190 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque being churned out from the engine, power was efficiently transmitted to all four wheels via the 7-speed DSG 4MOTION transmission.

Ascending the slope proved to be a smooth affair, but the real highlight came during the descent. Here, precision was crucial as I was advised to bring the SUV to a complete stop, activating the hill descent control. This feature adeptly regulated the SUV's speed, preventing any potential bumper scraping.

It underscored the significance of hardcore SUVs with their exceptional approach and departure angles, especially in such scenarios where controlled manoeuvring becomes crucial. For a quick reference, the slope was steep enough to almost suspend the second-row occupants mid-air, their only support being the seatbelts.

Next in line was the side slope section which took the spotlight—a personal favourite of mine. This segment demanded delicate steering manoeuvres to keep the SUV on the correct path.

It served as a compelling test, evaluating both the weight distribution and suspension balance of the Tiguan. While the SUV handled this challenge with ease, any erroneous steering inputs had the potential to tip the vehicle over.

While I liked the side slope obstacle, the axle-articulation section proved to be the most challenging section, both for the Tiguan and the driver. Negotiating each dip demanded careful handling, acceleration and braking inputs, requiring the SUV to halt completely after traversing one side of the dip. Achieving stability was important, especially when one of the four wheels found itself suspended mid-air before navigating the next dip.

In contrast to robust 4x4 hardcore SUVs that ensure all wheels maintain contact with the ground with their extreme axle articulation, the Tiguan, with its inherent limitations in this aspect, adeptly manoeuvred through each dip sans drama. The 4MOTION technology emerged as the hero here and ensured maximum traction for all wheels.

Following this challenging section, the course transitioned to a relatively straightforward segment, starting with a water-wading section. Here, patience and slow speeds were crucial, as accelerating hard might have pushed the water levels, risking exceeding the Tiguan's water wading limit, potentially causing damage to its components. Continuing along the course, the last phase featured a slush section. Once more, the 4MOTION technology came into play, dynamically allocating power to all four wheels, guaranteeing optimal traction.

VW Tiguan  Price And Specifications

	Volkswagen Tiguan
Starting Price	₹35.16 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
Engine	2.0-Litre TSI
Maximum Power	190 hp
Peak Torque	320 Nm
Transmission	7-Speed DSG
Mileage	13.54 km/l
Fuel Tank	60L

Volkswagen Tiguan Features And Safety

For those wondering, the Volkswagen Tiguan is offered with a series of features including six airbags as standard in addition to other modern bells and whistles like Electronic Stability Control (ESC), anti-slip regulation (ASR), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), hill-start assist, hill descent control, engine drag torque control (EDTC), active TPMS, three head-rests at the rear, 3-point seat belts, ISOFIX and driver alert systems. Other features like a flat bottom multi-function steering wheel, a three-zone climatronic air-conditioning system with touch controls, a customizable digital cockpit and a larger 20.32 cm touchscreen infotainment system with gesture control, keyless entry, electrically adjustable seats and easy-open tailgate further adds to the convenience one would aspire for in an SUV of this class.

Our Verdict

To sum things up, the Volkswagen Tiguan Experience provided a revealing glimpse into the Tiguan's potential. Despite its reputation for offering premium interiors, aggressive handling characteristics, and a softer off-road character appealing to those seeking sophistication, the event shattered assumptions. It showcased the Tiguan's versatility, extending beyond cityscapes to tackle challenging terrains. Moreover, the event offered customers a first-hand encounter with the Tiguan's capabilities, highlighting its adeptness even in the hands of inexperienced off-road drivers, navigating obstacles smoothly without getting stuck throughout the course.