Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 2020 Review

In Malaysia's C-Segment SUV market, 7-seater models have always been the core choice for family users—offering the flexibility for daily commutes while accommodating practicality for multi-person outings. The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 1.4TSI Highline, as the mid-range variant in the lineup, comes at a relatively affordable price (RM 165,031) with all-wheel drive and a host of comfort features. This has piqued the curiosity of many budget-conscious consumers who seek a balanced performance: can this vehicle strike a balance between power, space, and value for money? The focus of this test is to verify its real-world performance in everyday scenarios and determine whether it truly suits being a family mainstay vehicle.

From the exterior, the Tiguan Allspace 1.4TSI Highline carries on Volkswagen's signature steady and understated style, with clean and sharp lines free of excessive embellishments. The horizontal chrome trim on the front fascia connects the LED headlights on both sides, extending the visual width. The LED daytime running lights feature a distinctive double-L design, providing high recognizability. The side profile sports a character line that runs from the front to the rear, paired with 18-inch alloy wheels for a streamlined look. At the rear, LED taillights echo the design of the headlights, while the silver guard plate below the rear bumper adds a touch of SUV ruggedness. The overall design leans toward practicality, which, while not particularly stunning, caters to the "easy on the eyes" requirement of most family users.

Stepping inside, the interior adopts Volkswagen's classic T-shaped layout, with a predominant use of soft-touch materials accented by small amounts of chrome trim, achieving a texture that ranks slightly above average for its price range. The center console is equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; the operation is fairly smooth, though the screen size is slightly smaller compared to the top-spec 2.0TSI R-Line's 9.2 inches. The instrument cluster consists of traditional self-illuminated analog gauges, which are clearly visible but lack a technological edge. The configuration of this car boasts several highlights: the front seats support 12-way electric adjustment with a memory function, making them comfortable for drivers of varying sizes; the tri-zone automatic climate control allows both front and rear passengers to adjust the temperature independently, while the rear row is equipped with air-conditioning vents and USB ports; keyless entry, push-button start, and rain-sensing wipers are all standard features, ensuring daily convenience is more than adequate.

Space is one of the core advantages of the Tiguan Allspace, with a body length, width, and height measuring 4701mm, 1839mm, and 1674mm respectively, and a wheelbase of 2787mm providing the basis for its 7-seater configuration. Front-row seating offers ample room; a 180cm passenger still has about a fist's worth of headroom after adjusting the seat. The second-row seats support forward and backward sliding and recline angle adjustment, providing legroom of about two fists at the closest position and three fists at the farthest position, ensuring even adults can sit comfortably for extended periods. The third-row seats are more suitable for children or adults on short trips, as legroom is tight when the second-row seats are slid back, though usable in emergencies. As for storage, the trunk offers a standard capacity of 230L, which can be expanded to 700L when the third-row seats are folded down, and further to 1775L with the second-row seats fully folded, making it more than capable of accommodating large items like strollers and suitcases. Additionally, the vehicle features multiple storage compartments, including door panel slots and a central armrest box, making it convenient for organizing everyday small items.

Power-wise, this car is equipped with a 1.4T turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum power of 150PS and a peak torque of 250N·m, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and an all-wheel-drive system. During actual driving, the power response at the start is not particularly aggressive, but once the turbo engages (around 1500rpm), there is a noticeable power output. Its acceleration performance is sufficient for daily commuting and urban driving. On highways, when overtaking, pressing the accelerator deeply triggers responsive downshifting from the transmission, and the speed increases quickly. However, the acceleration feels slightly underpowered in the later stages (above 100km/h), given the engine displacement. The car offers three driving modes: Eco, Standard, and Sport. In Eco mode, throttle response becomes slower, which helps to save fuel for everyday driving, while Sport mode raises the RPM and delivers more direct power output.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel is precise with minimal dead zones. The steering feels light at low speeds and heavier at high speeds, aligning well with the tuning logic of a family car. The suspension system adopts front MacPherson independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension (Note: The original text did not mention the type of rear suspension; this is supplemented according to the standard configuration of the Tiguan Allspace). It is tuned for comfort and can filter out most small bumps on the road. However, when encountering speed bumps or larger potholes, rear passengers will experience noticeable vibration. The all-wheel-drive system provides better traction in rainy or slippery road conditions, enhancing driving stability. However, as a city SUV, its off-road capability is limited, and challenging terrains are not recommended.

Fuel efficiency is a key consideration for family users. The official combined fuel consumption is given as 10.3L/100km. In this test, the fuel consumption in city congestion was around 12L/100km, on highways about 8.5L/100km, and the overall combined fuel consumption was approximately 10.8L/100km, which is slightly higher than the official data. Considering the all-wheel-drive system and actual driving habits, this result is within the normal range for a 7-seater SUV of this class. In terms of braking, the feedback from the brake pedal is linear, with ample braking power. During emergency braking, the car's posture remains stable without significant nose-dive behavior.

In terms of ride comfort, the performance of this car is commendable. The front seats provide moderate support and good cushioning, making them comfortable even for long drives. The rear seats are soft and cushioned, with adjustable backrest angles for added comfort. Regarding noise control, wind and tire noise is noticeable during high-speed driving but remains within an acceptable range and does not affect normal conversations among passengers in the car. The transmission shifts gears smoothly, and there is rarely noticeable jerkiness, except for slight hesitation during low-speed crawling.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 1.4TSI Highline lie in its spacious 7-seater configuration, abundant comfort features, and reliable all-wheel-drive system. Compared to same-class Japanese 7-seater SUVs (such as the Toyota Highlander 2.0T basic version, priced at approximately RM 200,000 onwards), it offers a more affordable price and richer configuration. Compared to its own top-of-the-line 2.0TSI R-Line version, it has less power and a smaller screen but is approximately RM 44,606 cheaper, making it more cost-effective. This vehicle is suitable for families who prioritize practicality in space, occasionally need a 7-seater configuration, and have a budget between RM 160,000 and RM 170,000. While it may not stand out in any particular area, its balanced performance can meet the daily needs of most users.

Overall, the Tiguan Allspace 1.4TSI Highline is a practical family SUV with no obvious shortcomings and a relatively well-balanced performance in all aspects. If you need a car that supports daily commuting, family trips, and light outdoor activities, and you're not pursuing extreme power, then this car could be a good choice. It might not be the most eye-catching, but it is definitely a reliable family companion.