Should you buy one?

With such a huge amount of competition from all angles, the VW Tiguan asserts itself with a mature driving experience, a high-quality, practical interior and plenty of badge appeal. So yes, we think you should buy one. It’s a sound buy especially now that the facelifted model has added yet another layer of polish along with new engine options.

Many Tiguans are sold in swish R-Line Tech trim, which brings with it a sporty-looking makeover that really helps the Tiguan to stand out. As usual, though, if you want the very latest technology, you’ll have to pay for it, and top-spec Tiguans bring truly premium rivals such as the BMW X1 or Audi Q3 into their sights.

It’s slightly more expensive than similar-sized rivals – such as the Ford Kuga and Mazda CX-5 – but it should be a trouble-free car to own that deals with family life very well indeed. It’s not that much more to buy than the slightly smaller SEAT Ateca, Skoda Karoq and Volkswagen T-Roc trio, and this is far more polished than any of those. The Tiguan isn’t the biggest, best-value or best-driving SUV on the market, but as a jack-of-all-trades it’s very difficult to match. We think it’s a really good family car.

What we like

There is a wide variety of Tiguans to choose from and that that’s a very good thing. Petrol, diesel, mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid are all taken care of, with those with a need for speed catered for with the 320hp R.

We like its sense of assured refinement we like the latest tech, which seems to work better in the Tiguan than it does in some other Volkswagen Group products.

What we don’t like

It’s not the most exciting car to look at, sit in or drive. Its above-average pricing means you’ll be putting the SEAT Ateca and Skoda Karoq, in particular, under the microscope and wondering whether the Tiguan is worth the extra outlay.