The VW Tiguan is a compact SUV that has enjoyed considerable success in Kenya over the last couple of years. It has perennially been overshadowed by the more popular Japanese rivals and has never broken into the big league per se. It’s a crossbreed between the Touareg and the Passat, combining the desirable features of both worlds. It’s unique selling points have been comfort and safety but new rivals such as the Mazda CX-5 and the Subaru Forester are fielding all these plus more.

VW Tiguan Engine and Transmission Options

The VW Tiguan Second Generation(2007-2018) comes with the following engines;

1. Petrol: 1.4 Litre TSI 160 PS engine, 2.0 Litre TSI 180 PS engine, 2.0 Litre TSI 210 PS engine

2. Diesel: 2.0 Litre TDI 110 PS engine, 2.0 Litre TDI 140 PS engine, 2.0 Litre TDI 170 PS engine

   These are linked to either a 6-Speed manual transmission or a 7-speed automatic DSG transmission and available in both 2WD and 4WD.

VW Tiguan Interior 

The interior of the Tiguan is furnished with a choice of clothe and leather upholstery. The steering wheel on the luxury grades is wrapped in soft leather and both the driver and passenger seats are electrically adjustable. An optional panoramic sunroof fills the cabin with natural light and adds a sense of space. The legroom is decent for both rows and there’s enough room for tall passengers.

VW Tiguan Exterior

On the outside, the Tiguan resembles the Touareg albeit in a smaller package with a commanding SUV posture and attractive alloy rims across the range. It features Bi-xenon LED headlights with automatic range adjustment and dynamic curve lighting continually following the steering movements. Higher grades come with fog lights and LED daytime running lights.

VW Tiguan Maintenance Costs in Kenya

VW Tiguan service parts are available and fairly priced in Kenya. Body parts on the other hand are expensive and not as easily available. Find here VW Tiguan Spare Part dealers in Kenya

VW Tiguan Reliability

The DSG gearbox is problematic and many failures have been reported here in Kenya. It has elaborate maintenance procedures that should be religiously adhered to otherwise it will develop problems. It should also be serviced by a qualified technician who understands the DSG gearbox and the requirement for an expensive transmission fluid with dedicated additives. Anything short of this will be catastrophic.

Another factor to consider is the quality of maintenance and the service history of the car. These greatly determine the long-term reliability of the car and its important to have the car thoroughly examined by a qualified technician before you purchase it. Once this is done and you have purchased the right car, you then have to ensure that service is done on time using genuine parts. If you skimp on any of these, then be prepared for serious problems down the road.

VW Tiguan Alternatives you can buy in Kenya: Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan X-Trail, Toyota Vanguard,Toyota Rav4, Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester.

VW Tiguan Price in Kenya: https://cars.topcar.co.ke/vehicles/volkswagen/tiguan

Import the VW Tiguan in Kenya: https://topcar.co.ke/import-your-car/