New Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace prototype review ~ station of gear

Volkswagen Tiguan LWB prototype - front tracking

Image 1 of 6

Volkswagen Tiguan LWB prototype - front cornering

Image 1 of 6

15 Dec, 2016 11:00pm Steve Fowler

The Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace is about to add 7-seat practicality to the Tiguan SUV range. We drive the prototype...

The Volkswagen Tiguan SUV is set to become more of a rival for the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Nissan X-Trail when a seven-seat version arrives next summer.

It’s called the Tiguan Allspace, and we’ll see it first when it gets its world debut at next month’s Detroit Motor Show, but Auto Express was able to drive pre-production versions on the dirt tracks of the Kalahari.

• Best seven-seat cars to buy now

There was very little disguise on the cars we drove so it was difficult to distinguish the Allspace from the standard Tiguans also on test; just a longer rear door marked it out. And that’s because 110mm of the 220mm extra length of the Allspace sits between the wheels, with the rest added to the rear overhang.

Image 3 of 6

Volkswagen Tiguan LWB prototype - front cornering 2

Image 3 of 6

Not much else has changed with the car; you get the same dashboard, probably the same range of engines and the same driving experience. It’s comfortable, refined and unexciting, although the Tiguan impressed when beingdriven swiftly over some pretty rocky Kalaharan gravel tracks.

Things are pretty normal in the back seat, but it now slides forward to give those in the third row more legroom. And they’ll need it; space in seats six and seven is limited, making the rearmost row only really suitable for small children or adults of well below average height. Anyone else will have to sit with knees slanted and head bowed.

It’s a shame really, because getting into the very back of the Allspace is easy with a wide sill to step on to and the middle seat sliding well out of the way. And, of course, there’s a decent amount of space in the boot when the back seats are folded into the floor.

Image 4 of 6

Volkswagen Tiguan LWB prototype - rear tracking

Image 4 of 6

At least the Allspace gives the Tiguan something smarter (and cheaper) SUVs like the SEAT Ateca and Peugeot 3008 don’t have; the ability to add a couple of friends on the school run.

And compared with seven-seat rivals, prices shouldn’t be too bad – again subject to exchange rates – with a starting point expected just under €30,000 (£25,000).

We haven’t exactly been blown away by the standard Tiguan and this Allspace model is no different. Adding two more seats is a smart move in this class to broaden appeal, but in spite of the stretched dimensions and sliding middle row, the rear-most row will be a bit small even for some kids, let alone adults.

Thank you for reading the article about New Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace prototype review in blog station of gear If this article was helpful please bookmark this page in your web browser by pressing Ctrl + D on your keyboard keys.