KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Imported into India as CBU, hence expensive
- One fully loaded version at Rs 49 lakh
- 2.0-litre turbo petrol mated to a 7-speed DSG gearbox with AWD
- Costs a bomb, but oozes exclusivity for enthusiasts
It's early April, and I can feel the last few remaining 'cool' morning winds in my hair through the massive panoramic sunroof as I drive sedately around the only set of hills in NCR. Life seems good - light steering, easy controls and great visibility. Until I hit a broken tarmac patch and reality check creeps in. The ride is unsettled and hard at low speeds.
Right then, I floor the pedal and wake up the turbocharger to feed in those 200 horses to all the four wheels and in the next ten minutes, das Auto shows off its corner carver nature. It eats up bad patches, sticks to the line I intend and the sweet turbo sound fills the cabin with joy. With a grin plastered across my face, I park at end of the route, get out, light up a smoke and stare at the face of the SUV. Ladies and gentlemen, the Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line means business, even if at a cost point.
The Cost Point
Rs 49 lakh is a lot of ask for an SUV in India. The R Line isn't luxurious, an off-roader, or a 3-row family SUV. Spend a few minutes in any decent automotive Whatsapp group and you will notice the same thing - it is overpriced. Yes, but then again, good things in life don't cheap, do they? Blame the high import taxes or the fact that in the same range (plus / minus 10%) you are now spoiled for choices, for the average Rs 50 lakh buyer, the R Line may not tick the right boxes. But for you out there, stick around till the end of the article and I am sure you will be sold. Also, don't forget to watch the video below and post that, make sure to join the 91Wheels Whatsapp Channel to never miss out on automotive updates.
The Fun Package
While Skoda has done away with DCC or dynamic chassis control for the new Kodiaq, the Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line gets this as standard. The chassis feels solid, 19-inch wheels mean a thin side wall and icing on the cake is a well-weighted steering. The 2.0-litre TSI EVO motor is good for 201 bhp (204 PS) along with 320Nm of peak torque and the best way to extract this is via the 7 speed Direct Shift Gearbox. While outright acceleration might not push you back into the seat, the engine-gearbox-chassis combination is what keeps you excited and busy.
Volkswagen is targeting a younger audience with thisenthusiasts and thrill seekers. I had the Tiguan R Line with me overnight, and I made it a point to explore both the empty four lanes of Delhi and the only stretch of hills we have near Gurgaon. This SUV feels perfect. What also keeps the R Line sure-footed is VW's 4Motion or AWD tech. The level of grip is phenomenal and even if push it hard around a corner, the fear of under-steer is absent.
Out on open roads, the Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line loves chewing up miles. At an indicated 100 km/h, the engine sleeps about 1,800 rpm, thus resulting in surprisingly high fuel efficiency figures. This SUV can deliver over 18km/l for cross-country runs if you remain under the ton mark, translating into a single tank range of 1000km. However, do note the R-Line can be thirsty in traffic and displayed figures will be in single digits during rush hour commutes.
Your Second Space
Step inside and you will be hugged by one of the sportiest seats under 50 lakh in an ICE car in India. These look great too - however, if you on the healthier side like me, they might seem a tad narrow for your liking. Nevertheless, the cabin has other elements to impress you.
The large screen is tilted towards the driver, the steering feels great to hold and you get a clutter free cabin. Yes, too much reliance on the screen for functions but then, the central console is neat and clean. Like the Skoda Kodiaq, the gear stalk too is steering column mounted and a breeze to use.
There is generous space up front and due to the lower dash, visibility too is excellent. Likewise, tall passengers won't be complaining at the back. The R Line is a very spacious 5 seater and the 652 litre boot can swallow XXL sized suitcases with ease. Feature wise too, this SUV is loaded to the brim. On the platter is ADAS with 21 features, panoramic sunroof, seats with massage function, head up display, 3-zone climate control, Park Assist, Matrix headlamps and more. But, at the same time, do note that the R-Line misses out on essentials like powered front seats or a powered tail gate.
Looks nice too
The R-Line looks a lot different that the Tiguan you and me are used to. 'Sporty' is the theme here and the design delivers. The front isnt too radical but smart looking. The 19-inch alloys look bling and the rear modern - I love the LED treatment here. The R-Line isn't over done and that is the point. It is not going to be show-off car but an SUV that will still make you notice. It is also down to the color palette on offer - red and blue options do look bold and outstanding.
Size wise, the Tiguan R-Line is 4539mm long, 1859mm wide and 1656mm high, or low! It does sit wide and low.
Verdict
Volkswagen is playing the 'enthusiastic' card here. The Golf GTi is round the corner and both the Taigun and Virtus have created their own fanbase in the 1.5 avatar. Thousands of such owners would want to upgrade to the 2.0 TSI motor along with a larger footprint on the road. For such loyalists, the R-Line makes sense, even if at a price. And then, there are those petrol heads who didn't have an option like this in the price bracket. The R-Line will not set sales charts on fire I agree, but its the medicine a lot of you out there in the market seek. This expensive pill will be satisfying!
Verdict
The Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line is an XL sized go-kart that thrill seekers will enjoy. Not the most comfortable or feature loaded at half a crore but definitely a large SUV that can undertake fast cross country runs with ease or dismiss off twisties without a drama.
