0-100 km/h bursts take 7.8 seconds and a quarter mile is a done deal in 15.6 seconds at 145 km/h, which is pretty good. On average, we're consuming 11.3 L/100 km, which isn't bad at all, but the engine requires premium unleaded. If you do a lot a highway driving, you'll easily achieve under 10 L/100 km.

This little truck handles pretty well, with minimal body roll and a dynamic driving character.

VW touts the Tiguan as being the GTI of SUVs, and that's a little optimistic we think. Still, this little truck handles pretty well, with minimal body roll and a dynamic driving character that's felt in the suspension calibration and the steering. The Tiguan is easy to drive, and provides decent ride quality.

No-nonsense cockpit
Inside, you'll find a good deal of interior space, at least more than what the exterior proportions suggest. All seating positions are comfortable, although the rear middle passenger will feel the fold-down armrest in his or her back. Our Comfortline tester's driver's seat has a seatback angle power adjustment, which makes better sense to us than a fore/aft cushion power assist, and way better than the usual German-style rotary knob that's hard to reach.

The rear seatback angle can be adjusted, or the seatback can fold flat in a 60/40 split. However, luggage space can be maxed out to 1,600 litres of volume, which is less than all other compact SUVs, save for the Jeep Compass/Patriot twins, and the handle used to close the liftgate is slippery because it's not rubber-lined.

The power panoramic sunroof is great, as it opens all the way back above the rear passenger's heads, and provides the cockpit with an airy feel. If you often have people sitting in back, they'll be quite happy back there. The power sunshade has a hard time to retract, though.

The power panoramic sunroof is great, as it opens all the way back above the rear passenger's heads.