For some people, driving is purely about pleasure and enjoying every moment they spend on the tarmac. For most, however, there’s a practical side to consider too. For the majority of us, driving enables us to get from A to B, and safety is a concern. Yes, it’s fabulous to hit the roads in a car that purrs along at speed with minimal hassle, but to take on the daily grind, you need style as well as substance. For safety-conscious drivers, the VW Tiguan has emerged as a top contender for the most popular small off-road vehicle. If you’re in the market for a new motor, and you’re interested in the safety record, as well as speed and performance, here is some information you may find useful about the new and improved Tiguan.
Safety facts and figures
Safety tests have revealed that the VW Tiguan is one of the leading vehicles when it comes to protecting adult drivers and passengers. In tests carried out by NCAP, an independent crash test body, the Tiguan boasted an adult occupant protection score of 96 percent, making it the safest option in its category. NCAP was established more than 20 years ago to try and improve safety on the roads and reduce the incidence of crashes and serious injuries. Expert panels conduct a series of tests on vehicles from a range of classes and categories to establish the level of protection offered by different cars and produce a score. The higher the score, the safer the vehicle.
What else has the Tiguan got going for it?
The VW Tiguan looks the part, and it’s a much sleeker and trendier option than some of its fiercest rivals, namely the Ford Kuga, the Nissan Qashqai and the Renault Kadjar. There’s a choice of trims and finishes, as you’d expect, and you get the benefit of VW reliability and build quality. There’s no guarantee that you won’t end up at an auto repair shop, but when you invest in a Volkswagen, you can usually be sure of quality and longevity. The Tiguan has been out for over a decade now, but over the years, it’s been modified and streamlined, and the latest version released in 2016 is pleasant to drive, spacious, and packed with all the mod cons you would need unless you’re a self-confessed gadget fan who expects luxury brand spec. The Tiguan has undoubtedly built on the success of the smaller Golf and Polo models, and it offers an alternative to the Audi, BMW, Porsche and Mercedes small SUVs for those who would rather spend a little less.
If you feel the need for speed, there’s every chance that you’ll prioritise performance when you’re searching for a new car, but for many drivers, safety is an important consideration. If you’re looking for something that’s safe and stylish, it’s worth bearing the Tiguan in mind. There’s a reason it’s won awards for safety, and it’s pretty easy on the eye too. Although it’s not the cheapest option in its category, it’s certainly not the most expensive either.