2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 132TSI Life Review

As the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace nears the end of its production cycle, the 2024 132TSI Life variant continues to stand strong in the highly competitive family SUV market. With spacious interiors, reliable performance, and recent price adjustments, it remains an appealing option for families in need of versatility and comfort. While it may show signs of age next to newer rivals, the Tiguan Allspace still delivers a practical driving experience that caters to modern needs. But as we edge closer to the arrival of its successor, is this seven-seater still worth your consideration?

Pros:

• Spacious and Practical Interior: Offers generous space for both passengers and cargo, with flexible seating configurations.
• Smooth and Punchy Turbocharged Engine: The 132kW engine provides solid acceleration and performance for daily driving and long trips.
• Recent Price Cuts: Volkswagen’s price reductions make the Tiguan Allspace more competitive in its class.
• Family-Friendly Features: Convenient additions like rear air vents, USB-C ports, and sliding second-row seats enhance its family appeal.
• Comprehensive Safety Package: Features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring come standard.

Cons:

• Small Touchscreen Display: The 8.0-inch infotainment system feels undersized compared to larger screens available in similar models.
• Aging Design: The interior and exterior are starting to feel outdated compared to fresher competitors.
• Functional but Lacking Flair: While practical, the cabin design lacks the modern aesthetic found in newer SUVs.
• Occasional Use for Third Row: The third-row seating is best suited for children or shorter trips due to limited space.

Specifications

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 132TSI Life offers a well-rounded package of features and specifications, providing a blend of performance, practicality, and technology for family-oriented buyers. Here’s a quick look at its key specs:

• Engine: 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol
• Power: 132kW
• Torque: 320Nm
• Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic
• Drive type: All-wheel drive (4Motion)
• Fuel economy (claimed): 8.5L/100km
• Fuel economy (as tested): 9.4L/100km
• Fuel tank capacity: 58 litres (requires 95 RON petrol)
• CO2 emissions: 201g/km (Euro 6 compliant)
• Weight: 1750kg (tare)
• Braked tow capacity: 2500kg

Dimensions:

• Length: 4734mm
• Width: 1839mm
• Height: 1688mm
• Wheelbase: 2791mm
• Cargo capacity:
  • 230 litres (with all seats up)
  • 700 litres (with third row folded)
  • 1775 litres (with second and third rows folded)

Design and Exterior Features

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 132TSI Life maintains a practical and functional design, although it’s beginning to feel dated next to newer competitors. Key design elements include:

• Front styling: Volkswagen’s signature grille and sharp LED headlights provide a familiar look, but the overall styling is more functional than bold or innovative.
• Dimensions: With a length of 4734mm, the Tiguan Allspace is designed to maximize interior space, comfortably fitting seven passengers and offering generous cargo room.
• Wheels and details: The 18-inch Kingston alloy wheels add subtle refinement, while LED taillights and roof rails contribute to both functionality and a polished appearance.
• Practicality over flashiness: Though not the most modern-looking SUV, its design emphasizes durability and practicality, making it a reliable choice for families.

The Tiguan Allspace’s design may not turn heads, but it remains a well-balanced option for those who value space and usability.

Interior Comfort and Space

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 132TSI Life excels in providing a spacious and practical interior, designed to cater to the needs of families. While the design might lean towards functionality over flair, it’s hard to fault its usability and comfort for both drivers and passengers. Key features of the interior include:

• Seating flexibility: The Tiguan Allspace offers seating for up to seven passengers. The second-row seats can slide forward and backward, allowing you to prioritize either legroom or cargo space as needed. The third row, while not ideal for adults on longer trips, is perfect for children or occasional use.
• Spacious cabin: The high seating position in the front provides a commanding view of the road, and there’s ample adjustment in the seats and steering wheel to suit taller drivers. The leather-trimmed seats are generously padded, making long trips more comfortable.
• Cargo space: With all seats in use, the boot offers 230 litres of cargo capacity, enough for a light grocery run. When the third row is folded down, this expands to 700 litres, and with both rear rows folded, the capacity increases to 1775 litres, rivaling much larger SUVs in terms of cargo space.
• Storage solutions: The cabin is packed with thoughtful storage options, including large door bins, a big storage area on the transmission tunnel, and hidden drawers beneath the front seats. These features make it easy to store everything from small items to larger bags.
• Rear passenger comfort: The wide-opening rear doors make getting in and out easy, even when installing child seats. Rear passengers also benefit from air vents, temperature controls, USB-C ports, and a 12V slot, ensuring comfort and convenience for longer trips.
• User-friendly features: The infotainment system, while not the largest in its class, is easy to navigate. Physical dials for volume and tuning are a welcome feature, especially for families dealing with distractions like kids in the back seat.

Although the interior may lack some of the stylish design elements seen in newer models, the Tiguan Allspace shines in terms of space and practicality, offering a comfortable ride for families on the go.

Technology and Infotainment

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 132TSI Life offers a well-rounded suite of technology and infotainment features, prioritizing ease of use and practicality. While not the flashiest system available, it provides everything you need to stay connected and entertained on the road. Key highlights include:

• 8.0-inch touchscreen display: The centerpiece of the infotainment system is the 8.0-inch display, which, though smaller than some competitors’ screens, is clear and responsive. It features physical dials for volume and tuning, which many drivers will appreciate for their simplicity and ease of use, especially when juggling multiple tasks while driving.
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: Both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, allowing seamless smartphone integration for hands-free calls, navigation, and media streaming without the hassle of cables.
• Digital Cockpit Pro: The 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster is a standout feature, offering customization options and a clear view of all essential driving information, including maps, speed, and vehicle status. It’s easy to read and contributes to the modern feel of the cabin.
• DAB+ digital radio: For those who prefer traditional radio, DAB+ digital radio comes standard, providing crystal-clear sound quality and access to a wide range of stations.
• USB-C ports and wireless charging: The Tiguan Allspace is equipped with two USB-C ports in the front and rear, along with a wireless charging pad for smartphones, ensuring that devices stay powered up throughout the journey.
• Voice and gesture control: The infotainment system supports voice control, allowing drivers to make hands-free adjustments to music, navigation, and calls. Gesture control is also included, though it’s more of a novelty feature than a core function.
• Tri-zone climate control: The tri-zone climate system allows independent temperature settings for the driver, front passenger, and rear passengers, adding to the overall comfort of the ride.

While the Tiguan Allspace’s technology offerings may not be as cutting-edge as some newer models, they provide a user-friendly, practical experience. The inclusion of wireless smartphone integration, a customizable digital cockpit, and practical features like multiple USB-C ports ensures that it meets the needs of modern families without overwhelming them with unnecessary complexity.

Performance and Handling

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 132TSI Life strikes a fine balance between comfort and capability, delivering a smooth driving experience suitable for everyday use. While it doesn’t aim for sporty performance, it offers enough power and refined handling to keep drivers and passengers comfortable on a variety of road types. Key aspects of its performance and handling include:

• 2.0L turbocharged engine: The 132TSI Life is powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder turbocharged engine, producing 132kW of power and 320Nm of torque. This engine delivers a solid punch, making it easy to accelerate from a standstill and providing more than enough power for overtaking and highway driving, even with a full load of passengers and luggage.
• 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DSG): Volkswagen’s 7-speed DSG automatic transmission shifts smoothly and quickly. It responds well in urban traffic, and when needed, it quickly drops gears for extra acceleration. In addition, the transmission tends to choose higher gears for better fuel efficiency but reacts swiftly when more power is required.
• All-wheel drive (4Motion): The Tiguan Allspace comes equipped with Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, which delivers traction where it’s needed most. While primarily front-wheel drive during regular driving to save fuel, the system can distribute power to all four wheels when necessary, offering better grip in wet or slippery conditions.
• Comfort-focused suspension: Unlike sportier models, the Tiguan Allspace Life is tuned for a smooth and comfortable ride. The suspension absorbs most road imperfections, making it a relaxed cruiser on bumpy city roads or long highways. Sharp potholes or larger bumps may reveal some of the vehicle’s age, but overall, it handles rough patches with ease.
• Light and responsive steering: The steering is light at low speeds, making the Tiguan easy to maneuver in tight spaces like parking lots. It also provides good feedback on the highway, helping drivers feel in control without being overly sensitive.
• Quiet and composed ride: At highway speeds, the Tiguan Allspace remains impressively quiet, with minimal wind or road noise seeping into the cabin. This makes it a great option for long road trips, where comfort and peace are essential.
• Capable towing capacity: With a braked towing capacity of 2500kg, the Tiguan Allspace Life is more than capable of towing small trailers, boats, or camping equipment, making it versatile for family adventures.

Though the Tiguan Allspace 132TSI Life isn’t built for sporty driving, it provides a smooth, comfortable, and refined experience. Its combination of power, comfort, and all-wheel drive makes it ideal for daily family use, long road trips, and light off-road excursions.

Safety Features and Ratings

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 132TSI Life comes equipped with an impressive suite of safety features designed to keep you and your passengers protected on the road. Though its ANCAP safety rating has expired for models built after 2023, it still boasts a wide range of driver-assistance technologies that make it a reliable choice for family safety. Key safety features include:

• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB): The AEB system comes with pedestrian detection, helping to prevent collisions by automatically applying the brakes if a potential impact is detected, even at lower speeds.
• Lane-keep assist and adaptive lane guidance: This system helps the driver stay centered in their lane, gently steering the vehicle back on course if it begins to drift. It’s particularly useful during long highway drives, reducing driver fatigue.
• Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert: These features add an extra layer of awareness when changing lanes or reversing out of parking spaces, alerting the driver to vehicles approaching from the side or behind.
• Adaptive cruise control: This system maintains a set distance from the vehicle ahead, adjusting speed to match traffic conditions, making highway driving more relaxed and reducing the need for constant acceleration and braking.
• Semi-autonomous parking assist: The Tiguan Allspace Life assists with parking by steering itself into parallel and perpendicular parking spaces, while the driver controls the accelerator and brake.
• Front and rear parking sensors with a reversing camera: Parking is made easier with both front and rear sensors, as well as a reversing camera that gives a clear view of obstacles behind the vehicle.
• Driver fatigue monitoring: This feature monitors the driver’s behavior for signs of fatigue and provides alerts to encourage breaks during long drives.
• 5-star ANCAP safety rating (expired for post-2023 models): While the Tiguan Allspace previously earned a 5-star ANCAP safety rating based on 2016 testing, this rating no longer applies to models built from 2023 onwards. However, it remains a robust and reliable vehicle in terms of safety.

Safety Ratings (for pre-2023 models):

• Adult occupant protection: 96%
• Child occupant protection: 80%
• Vulnerable road user protection: 68%
• Safety assist technologies: 68%

Despite the expiration of its ANCAP rating, the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 132TSI Life continues to offer a comprehensive set of safety features, ensuring drivers and passengers are well-protected. Its advanced driver-assistance systems, paired with family-friendly safety elements, make it a reassuring option for those who prioritize security on the road.

Fuel Efficiency and Maintenance

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 132TSI Life offers a reasonable balance between performance and fuel economy, making it a suitable choice for both city commutes and longer family road trips. While not class-leading in efficiency, it delivers respectable fuel consumption for a midsize SUV with a turbocharged engine. Let’s break down its fuel efficiency and maintenance aspects:

• Fuel consumption (claimed): The 2.0L turbocharged engine has a claimed fuel economy of 8.5L/100km, which is competitive for an all-wheel-drive, seven-seater SUV.
• Fuel consumption (as tested): In real-world conditions, especially with a full load of passengers and cargo, the fuel consumption is closer to 9.4L/100km, which is still reasonable given its size and capability.
• Fuel tank capacity: The Tiguan Allspace comes with a 58-litre fuel tank, allowing for a decent driving range between fill-ups, depending on driving conditions. It requires 95 RON premium unleaded petrol to optimize engine performance.
• CO2 emissions: The vehicle emits 201g/km of CO2, complying with Euro 6 emissions standards, which makes it relatively efficient compared to older models in its segment.

Maintenance and Running Costs

Volkswagen backs the Tiguan Allspace with a solid warranty and service plan, making maintenance straightforward and predictable:

• Warranty: The Tiguan Allspace comes with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, giving buyers peace of mind for extended use.
• Roadside assistance: Volkswagen includes five years of roadside assistance, ensuring help is available during breakdowns or emergencies.
• Service intervals: The Tiguan Allspace requires servicing every 12 months or 15,000 kilometres, which aligns with industry standards for vehicles in this class.
• Capped price servicing: Volkswagen offers capped price servicing for up to five years, with a total capped cost of $2580 over that period. This ensures owners can manage maintenance expenses without unexpected surprises.

While the Tiguan Allspace 132TSI Life may not be the most fuel-efficient SUV in its class, it delivers a practical balance of power and economy. Additionally, its reasonable maintenance costs and Volkswagen’s warranty support make it a reliable and cost-effective option for families.

Pricing and Value for Money

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 132TSI Life offers a solid value proposition in the competitive midsize SUV market, especially with recent price adjustments. Volkswagen has strategically aligned the pricing of the Allspace models to make them more attractive for buyers who need a family-friendly, seven-seater SUV without breaking the bank.

• Starting price: The base price for the 132TSI Life variant is $47,990 before on-road costs. This positions the Tiguan Allspace competitively against other seven-seaters in its segment, particularly given the recent price cuts.
• Luxury Package option: For those looking for extra comfort and premium features, the optional Luxury Package adds $5300 to the price. It includes leather-appointed seats, heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and more, making the Tiguan feel more upscale.
• Power tailgate option: The power tailgate is an available extra for $600, offering added convenience for those frequently loading and unloading cargo.

How Does It Compare to Rivals?

When stacked against similar SUVs like the Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-8, and Mitsubishi Outlander, the Tiguan Allspace 132TSI Life holds its own in terms of both price and features. It may not have the flashiest design, but its combination of practicality, solid performance, and advanced safety technology makes it a strong contender.

Value-Adding Features

• Seven-seat versatility: The ability to configure the seats for more passengers or more cargo adds significant value for families.
• Comprehensive technology suite: Features like wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the Digital Cockpit Pro offer modern conveniences that enhance the driving experience without pushing the price excessively.
• All-wheel drive (4Motion): Standard all-wheel drive provides extra confidence on different terrains, making it versatile for city driving, highways, and light off-road trips.

Is It Worth the Price?

Considering its performance, spacious interior, safety features, and technology offerings, the Tiguan Allspace 132TSI Life provides good value for money, especially with Volkswagen’s recent price cuts. The option to add a Luxury Package allows buyers to elevate the overall experience while staying within a competitive price range. While some may find the design slightly dated, the practicality and overall feature set make it a well-rounded choice for families seeking space and reliability.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth Considering?

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 132TSI Life may be nearing the end of its production cycle, but it still offers a compelling package for families who prioritize space, practicality, and reliability. With its punchy turbocharged engine, flexible seven-seat configuration, and a range of family-friendly features, it remains a solid choice in the midsize SUV market.

While the design might feel a bit conservative compared to newer models, the Tiguan’s functionality more than makes up for it. The recent price cuts make the 132TSI Life even more appealing, offering good value for money when paired with its well-rounded safety and technology features.

If you’re looking for a spacious, comfortable, and versatile family SUV, the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 132TSI Life is worth considering, especially as it strikes a fine balance between everyday usability and long-distance comfort. With its ability to handle both urban and highway driving with ease, this model stands strong against newer rivals, making it a reliable option for families on the go.

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