Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S (2016) First Drive

The fastest series production front-wheel-driven hot hatch in the world will arrive in South Africa soon. Our market will receive just 47 of the 400 Golf GTI Clubsport S units that will be produced, but will Wolfsburg's Nurburgring record-breaker be significantly better than its highly rated Clubsport sibling? Our UK correspondent drove it on track and shares his findings…

By Andrew Frankel

You don’t really hear of Q-cars anymore. A few years ago, automotive enthusiasts referred to a high-performance car (usually a sedan) that looked like it couldn’t pull the skin off a cup of cold cocoa – but was blindingly fast – as a Q-car. The name reputedly came from the heavily armed merchantmen "Q-ships" deployed by the Royal Navy in the first World War to trap U-boats.

This Golf GTI Clubsport S is very Q-car-like. Were it not for its new front spoiler and subtle rear wing, you might think it the same as any other Golf GTI. But it’s not: by one measure at least it’s the fastest front-wheel drive car ever created.

The kind of cornering speeds that the Clubsport S can achieve will give a Porsche Cayman GT4 headaches.

That measure is its lap time around the old Nurburgring, a fact I’m not going to dwell upon because I know that for many, such talk bores them rigid.

So I’ll restrict my comments to saying only that a car’s speed around this particular track is an exceptional indicator of its all-around ability, The Green Hell tests power, grip, braking, aerodynamic stability and user-friendliness to the limit. Then consider this hatchback is only 7 seconds a lap slower around the Nurburgring than a brand new Porsche Cayman GT4.

Top speed limiter raised to 265 kph

It got that way by Volkswagen cranking up the Clubsport's turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder motor's outputs to 228 kW and 380 Nm, fiddling with the suspension (adaptive chassis control now has a Race mode in addition to the standard Normal, Comfort and Individual modes), fitting (road-legal) semi-slick tyres and modifying the bodywork to turn the considerable lift that the Golf experiences at top speed (the limiter is raised to 265 kph in the S) into appreciable downforce.

Aerodynamic addenda might be subtle, but the bodywork creates appreciable downforce at top speed.

Equipped with a 6-speed manual gearbox and sold exclusively as a 3-door (as opposed to the DSG-equipped 5-door Clubsport that was recently released on the local market), the S features unique 19-inch alloy wheels too. But the biggest difference is inside the Golf's cabin, however, were Volkswagen ripped out 30 kg worth of equipment

That includes the rear seat bench, which has been replaced by a rear strut brace (to aid the body's structural rigidity), the space-saving spare wheel has been replaced with a tyre mobility kit and the panoramic sunroof is not available.

Remarkably easy to drive

I drove the Clubsport S at the infamous track – as hard as I could – and was stunned not simply at how the speed of the thing defied entirely its modestly enhanced appearance, but just how easy it was to drive.

To extract maximum lap time from a car usually means making it stiff and edgy to minimise weight transfer and make it change direction quickly; but the Golf was endlessly forgiving, assiduous in its dedication to building your confidence and devastatingly fast. By any measure, it was profoundly impressive.

And yet it felt just a touch clinical. The way it interacted with me was enough to make me feel involved, but not quite entirely immersed in the experience. And Volkswagen would not let me drive it on the public road, which makes me suspicious about its real world ride and refinement.

The Clubsport S will be the first 3-door Golf to reach the South African market for many a year.

Summary

Just 400 Golf Clubsport S units will be built; that's 10 for every year that the Golf GTI has so far been in production. The track-focused Clubsport S feels as if it was conceived to set a benchmark, which it duly did at the Nurburgring, but that does not eliminate the fact that (in the UK) you can buy a Golf R that comes fully equipped with back seats, a brilliant four wheel drive system for less money.

It’s not quite as quick as the ClubSport, but it’s no less fun to drive and a sight easier to live with. Even in these days of the Ford Focus RS (R699 900) and Honda Civic Type R (R615 900), it remains my favourite hatchback.

And brilliant though the Clubsport S is in so many ways, it can do nothing to change that.

South African spec for Clubsport S

All 47 units are expected to land in South Africa in October 2016. Only one colour will be available: Pure White with a black painted roof. Bucket seats are standard and the Discover Media navigation will come fitted as a standard feature too. The production number of the vehicle (001/400 to 400/400) will be etched by laser onto the ashtray cover.

Want a Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S? Head to your local Volkswagen dealership, but be warned, this exclusive model will be in high demand and some may already be accounted for. Pricing will be interesting as a standard Golf GTI Clubsport retails from R540 200. You can purchase a Golf R for R592 580 and the flagship Ford Focus RS costs R699 900, so we estimate that the hardcore Clubsport S will be priced between R600 000 and R650 000.

Watch the Clubsport S set a new (FWD) lap record at the Nurburgring:

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Nissan GT-R (2017 model) Launched in SA

Nissan South Africa has used the Festival of Motoring (FOM) to give its more refined, more powerful GT-R supercar its first local outing.

According to Nissan, deliveries of the new model will commence shortly after the Festival of Motoring has been packed up. The significantly reworked GT-R features a range of styling, mechanical, luxury and performance upgrades. You can read more about the detail in our previous report here.

“With its first introduction in 2007, the R35 GT-R redefined the boundaries of supercar performance and handling. Over the subsequent iterations, the model has been improved and refined to the pinnacle of hand-built perfection in this, the 2017 model,” said Xavier Gobille, Director of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales at Nissan South Africa.

When it comes to the GT-R, most people head straight for the all-important numbers, so…

Quick Facts

Power: The 3.8-litre twin-turbo engine now delivers 408 kW at 6 800 rpm and 632 Nm of torque from 3 300 to 5 800 rpm.
Performance: The GT-R sprints from rest to 100 kph in less than 3 seconds and has a top speed of 315 kph.
Price: You will pay R1 950 000 for the Premium Edition and R2 050 000 for the Black Edition.

The Major Changes

Look closely and you'll notice a new bonnet, grille, bumpers etc. on the new GT-R.

This model year update is quite a big one. The cabin has received a number of upgraded materials, simplified controls and a "tactile redesign" to give it a more upmarket feel. At the same time, Nissan has also managed to reduce the weight of the interior fittings. Drivers will also notice that the gearshift paddles now turn with the steering wheel.

Exterior – On the outside, the GT-R's subtle but effective upgrade includes a new bonnet, bumpers, grille and side sills. The changes are not merely cosmetic, however, as they are also claimed to improve the aero efficiency of the vehicle.

Engine – For most enthusiasts the most important changes can be found underneath the bonnet. The iconic engine of the GT-R has received greater boost from its turbochargers as well as individual timing control for the cylinders. This is claimed to significantly improve engine performance in the mid to high engine speed ranges. Power is up by 11 kW and torque by 4 Nm. The blisteringly fast acceleration time (less than 3 seconds for the benchmark 0-100 kph sprint) is aided by its launch control system and upgraded transmission.

Suspension – And in terms of dynamism the GT-R benefits from a more rigid structure and shell, as well as new 20-inch forged alloy wheels. Nissan claims a smoother ride quality.

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New Car Sales in South Africa August 2016

The new car market in South Africa continued on its downward spiral in August 2016. Despite the declining trend, sales of light commercial vehicles remained relatively stable and exports showed substantial gains.

An unpredictable and volatile economic environment continue to strangle the new car market in South Africa and according to figures released by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA), August 2016 painted another grim picture of declining sales, particularly in the new passenger car segment. Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) sales, remained relatively stable, registering only a marginal decline while exports showed significant improvements.

The Toyota Hilux dominated sales once again and is currently South Africa’s most popular vehicle. The Ford Ranger claims second place on the sales chart while Volkswagen’s ever popular Polo Vivo and Polo models continue to be favoured by buyers. The Toyota Corolla also sold well during the month August and Toyota is currently the best-selling car brand in South Africa.

See the sales summary below for more details!

New car sales summary – August 2016

46 146 aggregate new vehicle sales down by 9.5% (4 839 units) compared to August 2015
30 356 new passenger car sales down by 13.1% (34 923 units) compared to August 2015
13 542 Light Commercial Vehicle sales down by 1% (140 units) compared to August 2015
28 112 export sales up by 26.7% (7 508 units) compared to August 2015

Top-selling car brands in South Africa – August 2016

Brand	Total Sales	Market Share
1. Toyota	10 224	22.3%
2. VW	6 814	16.6%
3. Ford	6 002	11.9%
4. GMSA	3 499	7.6%
5. Nissan	3 303	7.8%

Top Selling New Cars in South Africa – August 2016

Model	Total Sales
Toyota Hilux	3 081 (-72 units)
2. Ford Ranger	2 237 (-68 units)
3. VW Polo Vivo	2 702 (+250 units)
4. VW Polo	2 105 (+510 units)
5. Toyota Corolla	1 351 (+108)

New Car Sales Outlook

Poor economic growth and increased pressure on consumer disposable income will continue to persist in the short term. Factors such as major increases in new vehicle prices, vehicle production inflation, the exchange rate, higher interest rates and low levels of consumer and business confidence will continue to contribute to the declining sales trend in the new car market.

Data from Wesbank affirms the trend of car buyers migrating to the used car market in search of value. According to Wesbank, the number of vehicle finance applications received in August 2016 totalled 133 094, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.7%. Finance applications for new cars, however, showed a decline of 11.1%. The demand for used car finance grew by 11.2%.

Increased demand in the used car market has resulted in a 9.2% increase in used car prices.

Furthermore, Wesbank advises consumers to be sensible when it comes to structuring vehicle finance contracts, and not overextend themselves financially. Consumers will be wise to pay bigger deposits to help reduce monthly instalments. Shorter contract terms will help buyers reach their contract’s breakeven point sooner, thereby avoiding having to delay their new car purchase until it becomes a financial actuality.

If you are looking to buy a new or used car, find one on Cars.co.za now!

Update: New Kia Rio Details Revealed

The fourth-generation Kia Rio will be shown at the upcoming Paris Motor Show at the end of September 2016 and will usher in progressive styling as well as improved ride and handling.

Kia’s stylish and popular Rio hatchback is due for replacement and the all-new model will be shown in the metal in Paris on 29 September 2016.

As was the case before, expect the new Rio to be one of the most attractive offerings in its segment. The fresh exterior and interior design was led by Kia’s design centres in Germany and the United States (California) in collaboration with Kia’s main design centre in Namyang, South Korea.

Exterior design details

The next-generation Rio features ‘straight lines and smooth surfacing’ according to Kia, and will feature a longer bonnet and front overhang, as well as a longer wheelbase and upright C-pillar. The 'tiger-nose' grille has been tweaked to be narrower and wider while the projection headlights are thinner and slimmer than before, with a new U-shaped LED lighting signature. The fog lights on the new Rio have also been pushed outwards, placing emphasis on the width of the car, which has increased by 5 mm compared to the outgoing model.

The wheelbase has been stretched by 10 mm and the Rio's overall length has grown by 15 mm, sitting some 5 mm lower than before. The rear-end is more upright with a shorter overhang and a near-vertical rear windscreen. The rear headlights are also sleeker with a new arrow-shaped lighting signature.

Kia has also stated that the new Rio will offer class-leading practicality and safety technology. More than this, the ride and handling characteristics will improve too and you can expect to see the latest connectivity features present when the new model arrives.

Interior design details

The new Rio will feature a redesigned cabin with improved ergonomic quality. Much like the exterior treatment, straight lines across the dashboard emphasise width and creates a sense of space in the cabin. The dashboard is angled towards the driver and features a new 'floating', high-resolution touchscreen infotainment system that will house the radio, navigation and connectivity functionality. As a result, the number of buttons present inside the new Rio have been reduced.

A choice of either black or grey cloth upholstery will be on offer, as well as black or grey artificial leather. Buyers can also opt for a 'Red Pack' that includes black and red trimmed artificial leather seats. The Rio's cabin styling is rounded off with gloss black and metallic trim.

The Rio is Kia’s best-selling model worldwide with 2015 sales totalling more than 473 000 units. Production of the new Rio will begin at the end of 2016 (for Europe) and you can expect to see the new Rio in South Africa in 2017.

We will be at the 2016 Paris Motor Show so look for updates and more information in the next few weeks!

Get the latest Paris Motor Show news here!

Read a review of the 2015 Kia Rio 1.4 Tec here

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Festival of Motoring 2016: A Quick Guide

The South African Festival of Motoring kicks off this week and here's an all you need to know guide to make the most of your experience.

Where and When?

The South African Festival of Motoring (FOM) takes place from August 31st and ends on 4 September. The venue is the newly revamped Kyalami Racetrack in Midrand, Gauteng.

Tickets

Tickets can be bought online here or alternatively at the gate, but the latter option is more expensive. For example, an adult purchasing a full-day ticket (for Wednesday, Thursday or Friday) will pay R175 (online) and R215 at the gate. The same ticket for a child (10-18) will cost R92 (online) and R120 (gate), while kids younger than 10 pay R10 regardless of where the ticket is purchased. Note that weekend tickets are considerably more expensive and you may want to look at the Family Packages that are offered on the event's homepage.

What cool cars can you see?

Three highly modified Liberty Walk Nissan GTR vehicles are on display.

The car brands have pulled out all the stops and have brought some very special vehicles to display. BMW will be launching its M4 GTS, but will have a GT3 and Mini Challenge racecar on hand.

Mercedes-Benz and its AMG performance division have gone to town and brought in the mighty AMG GT3 race car as well as every AMG model in its lineup.

More highlights;

Jaguar / Land Rover will be showcasing its F-Type SVR which is the ultimate and fastest version of its sportscar, while the Evoque convertible will be in attendance.
Porsche has an extensive display of its current wares and even has a Le Mans 919 racecar as well as the 918 hypercar.
Nissan's headline act is the local unveiling of the 2016 GT-R supercar. Its stand contains classic GT-R models as well as highly modified Liberty Walk models.
Toyota showcased a digital 3D model of its upcoming C-HR crossover as well as unveiled its 2017 Dakar Hilux.
Bentley's entire line-up is on display and there's an example of the new Bentayga SUV to ogle over.
Mustang specialist brand, Shelby, has a stand and the latest Shelby Mustangs will be present.

BMW launches its ferocious M4 GTS at the Festival of Motoring.

Other Activities

Festival of Motoring is offering a number of entertainment opportunities for families and car enthusiasts. There will be many classic vehicles and exotic cars on display, but the real drawcard will be the ability to actually drive some of these vehicles. Many of the exhibitors are offering test drives and you can drive the vehicle of your dreams around the all-new Kyalami racetrack. Brands such as BMW, Mercedes-AMG and Audi have their performance vehicles and a team of instructors at hand to ensure you have an unforgettable experience.

Extended Test: Volvo V60 Cross Country D4 AWD Inscription [Video]

Does a station wagon with a raised ground clearance and some macho off-road cosmetic addenda offer a better real-world alternative to a fully fledged SUV? We tested a Volvo V60 Cross Country for 2 months to evaluate its merits.

In her Cars.co.za debut, contributor Juliet McGuire details the pros and cons of the Volvo V60 Cross Country (in D4 AWD Inscription guise); it proved very comfortable on the daily commute and quite practical on long-haul trips with the family.

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Datsun GO+ Launches in SA

Datsun has used the SA Festival of Motoring as a platform to launch its latest budget offering, the GO+ MPV

It has been two years since Datsun made its comeback to the South African market with the budget-friendly (and popular) Go compact hatchback. Now, the GO+ has been introduced adding some versatility and roominess to the lineup.

The GO+ will be offered either as a 5+2 family MPV (7 seats in total) or as a panel van, named the GO+ Panel Van. Vincent Cobee, global head of Datsun was at Kyalami for the unwrapping and said, “The plus edition of the Datsun GO, will create its own unique sub-segment (within the upper A-segment/ lower B-segment), as a versatile multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) offering motorists exceptional value, fuel economy and maintenance at an attractive price. These have all been the hallmarks of Datsun since its re-entry into the country.”

The GO+ will continue to use the same 1.2-litre petrol unit as the standard GO. A total output of 50 kW and 104 Nm hardly seems much for a vehicle that's intended to carry 7 people with luggage, but we'll hopefully be able to test the GO+'s abilities for ourselves soon. Speaking of luggage, with the rear seats folded (5-seater mode) the GO+ is claimed to offer a very reasonable 347 litres of load space.

The major drawcard of this MPV is the price, Datsun has set it at just R134 900. Compared to other 7-seater MPVs like the Toyota Avanza (R214 700), Honda Mobilio (R207 000) and Suzuki Ertiga (R189 900), it’s extremely keenly priced.

Other standard features available on the GO+ include:

A choice of five colours, including gold – a new option unique to the Datsun GO+
Driver’s side airbag
Air conditioner
Drive computer
All-new dark interior
Mobile docking station

September fuel price drop smaller than expected

The fuel price decrease for September 2016 is likely to be less than expected due to recent political and economic developments in South Africa.

A few weeks ago we reported that the fuel price would likely plummet in September by as much as R1 per litre. Now, the decrease is looking more like 25c/litre for petrol and 54c/litre for diesel.

"International petroleum prices have put in a surprising rally since the middle of the month," the AA said.

It noted that a stronger Rand would have cushioned this increase in international petroleum prices, but that this is now not the case given the latest developments related to the weakening Rand.

"The stronger oil price might have been kept in check more effectively had the Rand not sagged so sharply against the dollar in the wake of developments around the Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, who is the subject of further investigation by the Hawks," the AA said.

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Facelifted Hyundai Grand i10 set for Paris debut

Hyundai has prematurely removed the covers off its facelifted Grand i10 hatch. It will make its debut at the Paris motor show in October 2016.

The facelifted Hyundai "Grand i10" has undergone a serious facelift – as far as updates go. We use the Korean car's name in quotes because although the model is known as the i10 in Europe, on the local market the previous generation soldiers on as the i10, while this version (specified to the requirements of our market), is known as the Grand i10. Major areas of improvement include the exterior design, safety features and a new infotainment system.

Starting with the exterior updates, the newly designed front end will set the standard for Hyundai models of the future. Round There are reshaped LED headlights positioned at the edges of the new cascading front grille, whereas at the rear, the bumper has been redesigned, as have the tail-lamps and the fog lamps are a similar design to those at the front.

The interior materials have been improved and there is a new red shade of cloth seat trim to choose from. The more obvious update is a 7-inch touchscreen that includes navigation on certain models. The infotainment system is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible which, in the A-segment is a serious step ahead of the competition.

Hyundai has also had a go at improving the ride quality in the facelifted Grand i10. There’s a larger front bump stopper that should make the ride more comfortable and the steering ratio has been modified. Whether the new steering ratio is actually an improvement is something we will have to test when we drive the refreshed Grand i10.

The facelifted Grand i10 is set to go on sale in Europe in early 2017 with identical engines to the current lineup of 1.0-litre or 1.25-litre petrol models. The Grand i10 will make its debut in South Africa around March or April next year (2017), but the specification is yet to be decided. Suffice to say the higher-end features of the European model are likely to be omitted.

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Volkswagen Tiguan (2016) First Drive

The second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan will arrive in South Africa around the fourth quarter of 2016 to battle the likes of the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson and Nissan X-Trail. Cars.co.za's UK correspondent has driven the newcomer and reports that even if the Tiguan represents an "uber-strong evolution" (of its predecessor) rather than a revolutionary, all-new design, it’s a very fine one nonetheless. Read on…

By Wayne Gorrett

The original Tiguan, which was launched on the local market in 2008, was Volkswagen’s first foray into a growing compact SUV/crossover market and the Wolfsburg-based brand sold 2.8 million units of the first-generation version worldwide, of which a not-insignificant number of examples (more than 19 000 units) were delivered in South Africa!

Therefore, much is expected of its successor, which was revealed at the 2015 Frankfurt Show. Sporting more chiselled styling, enhanced performance and improved efficiency, the new Tiguam rides on the Volkswagen Auto Group’s new and all-conquering MQB platform, which you’ll also find under the Golf, Passat and Audi A3.

To cut it in a plethora of mid-sized SUVs and crossovers, you have to offer something pretty special. VW has responded by trying to chart a steady course between simply refining what’s there and producing something new. With that aforementioned (2.8-million) sales figure in mind, Volkswagen has erred on the side of caution and the new car is all the better for it.

Unmistakable presence

The new Tiguan is larger, lighter and more handsome when compared to the outgoing model. ?

Compared with its predecessor, the new Tiguan is a lot more stylish, with clean lines and a powerful dynamic stance that rewards with generous kerb appeal. The front end, in particular, is more dramatic, with a lower and wider radiator grille and new slim headlamp clusters, air inlets, as well as rounder wheel arches, banish the previous model's "blockish" visage.

The vehicle’s dimensions have predictably increased, yet overall weight has come down a little. The former development leads to more space inside – right where it matters, but significantly, without a weight penalty. The new model is 60 mm longer and 30 mm wider than before, which doesn’t sound like much, but you can now comfortably fit three adults in the back.

Inside, it’s Germanic to the core: ergonomically slick, exceptionally well put together and entirely functional. The extra room over the old Tiguan is good news, particularly in the rear where it’s now more family-friendly.

More family-friendly interior

The interior of the new Tiguan is more refined and offers increased space for passengers and goods.

There can be no doubt that the interior of the new Tiguan is a sizeable step up. Front and rear seating is very comfortable while being surrounded by classier and better quality materials than before. Headroom and leg room are generous throughout.

The luggage bay measures a capacious 520 litres, but, with the rear seats able to slide forward by 170 mm, that space increases to 615 litres if you need to carry more luggage. With the rear seats folded forward, a cavernous 1 655 litres becomes available.

Active info display

If you’ve driven a Passat or Golf recently, the Tiguan’s dashboard and infotainment system will be very familiar. The design offers more sense than style, but everything is very logically laid out and simple to get along with.

One of the biggest changes inside the Tiguan is the availability of a new 31 cm "active info display" which replaces the conventional instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. First seen on the new Audi TT, it uses digital dials and the screen can be configured to show navigation updates, on- and off-road vehicle settings and media information, but we believe it will probably offered as an optional extra on the local market.

Smart "active info display" is offered in new Tiguan.

Apple CarPlay also allows owners to have the interface of their smartphone mirrored on the central touchscreen, which can show music, messages and navigation info. It will also display live signal from an on-board ‘GoPro’-like camera; perfect for the horsey set to monitor their charges in the horse-box throughout the journey.

When contacted, Volkswagen SA was non-committal on the engine line-up for the new Tiguan, but did add that the new range “might retain two of the TSI petrol engines, the 1.4-litre unit (in 92 kW and 110 kW guises) from the current line-up. There is no info at this early stage on diesel engines”, but added “there will be 4Motion (all-wheel-drive) TDIs”.

Fortunately then, as the TSI petrol models hadn’t arrived from Wolfsburg in time for the UK media launch last week, I drove the 110 kW 2.0-litre SCR turbodiesel, in six-speed manual and seven-speed DSG configurations, both of which were in top-end R-Line trim and fitted with VW’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system.

As their model name suggests, all new diesel powered Tiguan models come fitted with a so-called selective catalytic reduction (SCR) filter to help rein in nitrous oxide emissions. It necessitates the inclusion of a 12-litre tank housing the AdBlue solution used in the exhaust gas filtration system mounted at the rear underneath the boot.

My first extended spell in the new Tiguan was in the manual. Fire it up and the TDI settles to a pleasantly refined hum, but this doesn’t last for long as, out on the road, the unit needs to be revved surprisingly hard to make progress.

The six-speed manual ‘box is fairly long-geared, which is nice for a peaceful motorway cruise with the engine ticking over at a leisurely 2,000 rpm. However, when you have to engage with variable traffic, you often find yourself having to change down for a burst of acceleration, which means progress isn’t as smooth as it could be.

But, elicit most of that 110 kW motor's performance and the Tiguan delivers a decent turn of speed. This derivative will sprint from zero to 100 kph in a respectable 9.3 seconds and the claimed fuel economy figure of 5.4 L/100 km is good. The other diesel model we drove was fitted with Volkswagen's seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox, which is smooth and responsive with good anticipation for up and down changes in most situations.

Quiet, unflustered progress

The new Tiguan delivers a smoother, more refined drive, even on poor surfaces.

On the road, The Tiguan is unlikely to set pulses racing, but it's very quiet and smooth, especially when fitted with the optional adaptive dampers that allow you to control how soft the suspension is. When in Comfort mode, the adaptive dampers make the Tiguan very comfortable, even over poor road surfaces and with the larger 20-inch wheels fitted.

The handling is definitely more resolved than what it used to be, so there’s not much roll in the corners, which is helped by some noticeably well-weighted steering. The car is easy to place accurately and with confidence. In general terms, the Tiguan does a good job of isolating you from wind and road noise and feels very car-like and easy to handle.

4Motion offers multiple driving modes

If you plan to take the Tiguan off-road – or live in a hilly, rural location – one of the 4Motion all-wheel driven versions should fit the bill. 4Motion derivates offer selectable driving modes that will tailor the traction and stability control systems to cope with everything from icy roads to muddy tracks and ride 200 mm above the road (the 2WD versions are 10 mm lower).

There’s no doubt that the Tiguan incorporates improvements in plenty of areas, but in a sector where style counts double, it’s maybe a little safe in design terms. Having said that, a high-quality interior, acceptable performance and VW’s classless image will ensure that this compact SUV can climb to the top of the sales charts and repeat the success of its predecessor.

Interested in buying a used Volkswagen Tiguan?