The 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan is part of a new wave of European compact SUVs. For those seeking foreign prestige, the mid-$30K price range and 200 horsepower will sound pretty enticing and reasonable.

The Volkswagen Tiguan is roughly the size of a BMW X3.Yet, its price range is much lower.

Right now, products that fit this description come from Asia and North America. The RAV4 V6, Forester and Vue XR are prime examples. Alas, they're not "Made in Europe"...

An alternative to the X3!
The cachet associated to the VW logo elevates the Tiguan to the ranks of the BMW X3. Yet, the latter is over $10,000 pricier. The same holds true for the upcoming Audi Q5, Volvo XC60 and Mercedes-Benz GLK (soon available in Canadian dealerships).

And while we're still waiting for the arrival of the smaller and, hopefully, more affordable BMW X1 and MINI Crossover, the comparison between the Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TSI 4MOTION and the X3 3.0i proves interesting. After all, the former might produce 15 horsepower less, but it strikes back with superior torque at much lower engine speeds.

Besides, the slightly smaller Tiguan is just as roomy as the X3. In fact, you'll find more cargo space in the back, not to mention a greater towing capacity! Based on these facts, the Tiguan looks like an excellent deal compared to its Bavarian rival.

A 4WD Jetta?
The underpinnings of the Tiguan are a bit less prestigious. The vehicle is built on a variant of the Jetta's platform. However,  unlike the sedan, it's not manufactured in Mexico. Rather, production takes place in the Wolfsburg assembly plant in Germany! I guess that's one of the aspects of globalization...

Anyway, this family tie also explains why the Tiguan relies on the same 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine as the Jetta TSI (a.k.a GLI). My tester, a Comfortline model, was mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic manual mode. Meanwhile, the base Trendline model is the only one to offer a 6-speed manual.

You'll find more cargo space in the back of the Tiguan, not to mention a greater towing capacity!

With the Tiptronic, the force-fed engine of the VW Tiguan fails to achieve the same level of operational smoothness as Volvo's T5 mill. The latter delivers progressive, linear accelerations, whereas the German turbo is quite jittery. For sure, performance is commendable: I sprinted from 0 to 100 km/h in barely 8 seconds despite the vehicle's 1,600+ kilos. However, the activation of the turbo is not seamless, which results in unpleasant, jerky forward surges.

The Tiguan relies on the same 200-hp, 2.0L turbocharged engine as the Jetta GLI.

In addition, the slow operation of the autobox adds a short though irritating delay between the moment you hammer the throttle and the 200 ponies are unleashed. By contrast, the manual gearbox of the Tiguan Trendline allows greater control over this spirited engine. Ironically, it provides more flexibility during aggressive driving.

Come to think of it, I would not hesitate to pay a $10,000 premium to get my hands on a BMW X3 3.0i and enjoy its exemplary smoothness.

Frugal operation...
In terms of fuel economy, the Tiguan fares pretty well. Among a group of about 15 compact SUVs evaluated by Transport Canada, the little Volkswagen earned the silver medal with an average rating of 10 liters per 100 kilometers (the RAV4 averages 9.4 L/100 km). The Tiguan requires premium gasoline, though.

I was disappointed to find out that my tester had burned a little over 12 L/100 km at the end of 400+ kilometers of city and country driving. Granted, my extensive road test was performed in real-world conditions, whereas the federal government conducts laboratory evaluations, resulting in 15-20 percent lower figures.

Such "truck-like" economy is in line with the driving dynamics, which are far from car-like. If you're looking for a smooth ride, try a Subaru Forester, a Nissan Murano or, better yet, any family sedan out there. The Tiguan's ride is more akin to the Nissan Xterra's: the suspension is hard and ineffective at soaking up the majority of road imperfections. On the plus side, the electromechanical steering is precise and not overly assisted. Talk about an odd combination...

Interior ergonomics are exemplary.

A VW through and through!
The cabin of the Tiguan emulates the plain design of other Volkswagen products. The all-black layout looks distressing, although the controls are readily accessible and easy to use. Ergonomics are simply flawless.

With regard to comfort and support, the bucket seats are just a notch below the Volvo XC90's -- the best in the business, in my opinion. They are heated and pleasantly firm, making long drives much more enjoyable. The 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat slides fore and aft while offering a high seating position. Adults will find plenty of comfort back there, which is not the case for a lot of SUVs -- compact or otherwise.

Folding the rear seatbacks allows you to substantially increase the available cargo room.

The driving position is good thanks to numerous seat adjustments and a standard tilt/telescopic steering wheel. However, visibility leaves a little to be desired, especially when compared to the Forester. The outside mirrors are narrow and the rear window is very small. The high beltline and massive rear head restraints don't help either. Consequently, expect complicated parking maneuvers.

Plenty of luggage room
Lifting the rear hatch creates a large opening. The floor is just a few centimeters higher than the edge of the cargo area, which makes loading items quite easy.

Folding the rear seatbacks allows you to substantially increase the available cargo room. However, those in my tester opposed so much resistance that I had to use both hands. That's not really helpful.

Waiting for the TDI...
Volkswagen offers four different trim levels: one with front-wheel drive and the others with the company's 4MOTION all-wheel drive system. As I write these lines, prices range from $27,575 to $38,375 (excluding options and taxes), thus positioning the Tiguan in a sweet spot of the compact SUV segment, the popularity of which keeps rising due to volatile fuel prices.

Having said that, a properly-priced turbodiesel variant would turn out to be a much more interesting proposition if you ask me.