If you want your compact crossover to be a rewarding driving machine, the Volkswagen Tiguan should hit the spot. It's not the newest or most spacious vehicle in its class, but it counters with confident, eager turbocharged power and an unusually composed driving feel.
The 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine good for 200 hp and 207 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive are standard. The Tiguan's engine is powerful in just about any situation, and its six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and quickly. The Tiguan accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, which is a quick time for a compact crossover.
Standard equipment on the Tiguan includes 16-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, heated mirrors, automatic headlights and wipers, keyless ignition and entry, cruise control, air-conditioning, heated front seats, a manual height-adjustable driver seat (with power recline), a tilt-and-telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel, a sliding and reclining backseat, V-Tex premium vinyl upholstery, a rearview camera, a 5-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and an eight-speaker sound system with a CD player, auxiliary audio jack, a USB port and a media player interface.
The Tiguan comes standard with safety features such as antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, front side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and a rearview camera.