Volkswagen’s least expensive Tiguan, the 1.4 Comfortline EQP, strikes a keen balance between affordability and desirability
SINGAPORE

What’s up with this Tig?
The Volkswagen Tiguan launched in its all-new second-generation earlier this year: Our review of the Tiguan 1.4 Highline on CarBuyer.com.sg explains everything you need to know, and we’ve finally tested the least expensive Tiguan in the lineup, the Tiguan 1.4 Comfortline EQP.
Give us a recap…
In summary, the Tiguan runs on MQB, has updated engines, access to the latest of VW’s technology, packs a tonne of space and flexibility, all in a rather handsome-looking package.

The only drawback is that it isn’t cheap. VW straddles the premium-mainstream line here in Singapore so within its three-car model range goes from mainstream to luxury pricing:

The most expensive Tiguan, the R-Line 2.0 (above) at $197,400 with COE, is faster, more powerful, and a bit more expensive than something like the BMW X1 sDrive20i, for instance.

The mid-range Highline 1.4 model ($152,400 with COE) combines a lot of the premium touches of the R-Line (sunroof, Active Info Display, 9.2-inch Discover Pro infotainment) but with a less expensive and less powerful 1.4-litre engine.

And where does this model fit in?
At $135,400 with COE, it has the same engine, performance and overall specs, but is $10k cheaper than the Highline, so obviously there’s less equipment and standard features onboard.

Where the money is saved is easy to see: The less flashy ‘Composition Media’ 8.0-inch TFT touchscreen, no Dynaudio sound system, no slick Active Info Display, heads-up display or voice control, manual front seats, no ambient lighting, no paddle shifters, no self-parking system.
That sounds like a lot to miss out on…
Usually carmakers put models like these in the lineup so that everyone simply chooses the better specced model , but in this case the choice is less obvious.

The Composition Media system still has smartphone integration – Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – so the lack of inbuilt navigation is less of an issue, although not having voice control means missing out on Siri and Google Assistant.
Of the things lacking, we miss the Active Info Display the most, but it’s really a case of ‘ooh shiny new tech’ since the conventional instruments with the centre display screen works perfectly well.

So it’s still quite a good package overall?  
It is, since things like paddle shifters and ambient lighting are the sort of features that look nice on an equipment list but you never actually use in real life.

On the bright side, the Comfortline still has plenty of Tiguan features that make life easier – unmissables like keyless entry and start, LED lights. Safety features including six airbags and Front Assist (with the auto fender-bender stopping system ‘City Emergency Braking’) and fatigue detection.
It’s essential ‘Tiguan-ness’ is still there in spades: The 1.4 with active cylinder tech for better efficiency, a tremendous amount of space, the flexible rear seating system with tray tables and adjustability, and it fits even more cargo than a BMW X3 does.

Usually the least-expensive model in a line-up is just there to make buyers spring for the mid-range one, but the Tiguan 1.4 Comfortline EQP proves entry-level doesn’t mean least-comfortable.

Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4 Comfortline EQP