Jonathan Crouch
introduction
Volkswagen's second-generation Tiguan expanded its market reach with this extended "allspace" styling to appeal to those who want a third row of seats in their midsize SUV. Could a used car be the only car you'll ever really need? Here we see the first versions of this model from 2017-2021.
History
Increasingly, in 2017, offering just one midsize SUV was no longer enough for mainstream brands. At that time, the market demanded that the main manufacturers also offer extended versions of these models in order to integrate a third row of seats. Volkswagen couldn't, and didn't, buck this trend by bringing us this larger 'allspace' Tiguan derivative. It wasn't much bigger than the standard version: 215mm longer, with a 106mm longer wheelbase. Still, that was enough to significantly change the way customers could use this car. And a big difference from how Volkswagen could sell it, too. The standard Tiguan wasn't big enough to be able to offer the brand in countries like the United States, but in inflated "allspace" form it was a perfect fit as a basic SUV for this market, freeing up the extra inches in the rear. as well as extra second-row space that beefy Yankee buyers often require. This explains why Volkswagen gave this model something more than a little more length: the design of the front end and the roof were also different. And why this Allspace variant was built on the other side of the Atlantic: at the company's plant in Peubla, Mexico, where the Beetle and Jetta models were being assembled at the time. However, the distance that fully assembled versions of this car had to travel to be sold in our market was not the reason for the higher price of this larger Tiguan. This was because, with this variant, Volkswagen ignored the lower-powered, lower-spec engine and trim options possible with the standard body and attempted to position the Allspace as a stepping stone to its larger, more luxurious Touareg SUV. So in this segment it wasn't an option for budget buyers, but if you're a Volkswagen customer already looking for a more luxurious 2017-2021 Tiguan, the prospect of extra seats and more space could be quite appealing. But will this model appeal to families shopping between higher-end versions of more affordable competitors in this segment at the time, like Nissan's X-Trail and Peugeot's 5008? Or the Skoda Kodiaq and SEAT Tarraco twins, cars that shared much of the technology of this Tiguan? That is a much more difficult question. Let's take a closer look at what this car has to offer the used buyer. It's this older version that we're focusing on here – it was slightly updated in mid-2022.
what you get
Like Allspace, this Tiguan should only be slightly larger. Which of course it is, but somehow the changes made in creating this larger model created something else. From the center B-pillar to the rear, everything has been redesigned to allow for the extra 215mm of length. As part of this, the wheelbase has been lengthened by 106mm, extending between black plastic-lined wheel arches that house either 18-inch or 20-inch wheels. The bodywork of this larger variant follows a different contour from the standard model and the rear of the side window design has a steeper upward curve where it rises just behind the C-pillar. The roof has also been redesigned, it has its own unique structural line and is framed by standard silver roof rails. What was more surprising was that there were also changes to the front end, where the radiator grille was made taller compared to the standard car. In addition, the bonnet has become more vertical at the front and features different decorative lines from front to back. All very well, but what you really want to know is how much of a difference the Allspace's design changes have made in terms of luggage capacity and rear luggage space. We'll start with the impact on the passenger compartment, and passenger access: the much longer rear doors contribute a lot to this. More often than not, your companions will naturally want to sit in the middle row, where they enjoy 54mm more knee room than in a standard Tiguan. As long as the rear seat is in the correct position. As with the normal model, it can be moved backwards or forwards in a range of 180mm. What about the third row of seats? Volkswagen notes that this area is "ideally suitable" for people under 1.70m tall, ie children. If you've really fallen short and are limited to the third row as an adult, you'll find, as usual in a seven-seat midsize SUV, that the high floor line makes room for four-wheel drive. system means your knees are a little awkwardly pulled up to your chest. However, if people in the middle row can be persuaded to push their seat forward, it would be tolerable here for full-size people on shorter journeys. Well, we've taken a look at the extra space this larger allspace body style frees up for people. But what about the packages? Of course, once the hatch is up, the available headroom depends on whether the third-row seats are upright. If so, you have at your disposal 230 liters of trunk. If you need more space, you can simply fold the third row chairs into the floor, as long as the second row seats aren't all the way back. Slide them all the way forward and you'll have 700 liters of space to play with, 85 liters more than the similarly configured trunk of a stock Tiguan. If you need to flatten the center back, you can do so using latches on both side panels. each side of the warehouse. That frees up 1,775 liters of space, 120 liters more than a regular Tiguan can offer. Enough of the space advantages this allspace body style can offer. Finally, let's take a look at one area of this larger Tiguan model that hasn't changed with this body style: the front seat sills. And let's remember why the seat behind the wheel of this Volkswagen SUV attracts so many potential customers to buy it. The main attraction is that you get a quality close to the premium segment at a price close to the volume segment. The additional technology on offer reinforces this impression and is certainly something your salesperson will want to emphasize. You get more of that in the Allspace, as all variants come with the upgraded 'Discover Navigation' version of the brand's sleek 8-inch glass-fronted infotainment display in the center of the dash. In addition to the navigation function, this touchscreen also offers all the usual DAB stereo, Bluetooth telephone and car information functions.
where to look
Most of the Tiguan Allspace owners we interviewed were very happy with their cars, but there were sure to be a few who had issues to pay attention to. We found some issues with the DSG automatic transmission. Another owner reported faulty electronics and several faulty sensors, as well as problems with the GPS system. Also, check for the usual stuff: child damage inside, scratched alloys, etc. It's unlikely any of the Tiguan Allspace models have seen serious off-road use, but check the bottom of the 4MOTION variants, just in case. And, of course, he insists on a fully sealed service history.
replacement parts
[Based on a 2018 2.0 TDI 150hp Diesel model] An air filter costs between £7 and £20, an oil filter between £5 and £8 and a fuel filter between £9 and £9. Price range is from around £22, however a more expensive brand can cost up to £28. A water pump is likely to cost between £102 and £175. The brake discs we found were priced from £65 to £140, while the most expensive discs ranged from £223 to £257. Rear disc brakes cost between £60 and £167. A set of front brake pads costs between £25 and £68, but you can pay up to £112 for more expensive brands. Rear pads are between £23 and £40. An alternator is around £162, a starter is between £110 and £158; a thermostat costs £13-13; a wiper blade costs £13-26; a headlamp costs around £168; A rear light is around £127.
Travel
You wouldn't expect the changes made to this extended allspace model to have much of an impact on driving dynamics, and they didn't. If anything, the longer wheelbase had a positive impact on this model's road handling, as the added weight and longer stance helped the suspension absorb bumps better in faster corners. Ride quality is an established strength of the regular Tiguan and remains an attribute here too, aided by the high-tech MQB platform found under the body. You want to know about engines. The offering dispenses with the weaker petrol and diesel units of the standard Tiguan range, but is otherwise identical and, like this regular model, heavily geared towards diesel power - more precisely the 2.0-litre diesel, the venerable TDI. from Wolfsburg Das. The device is available in three power levels with 150, 190 and 240 hp. There are also two gasoline options, a 1.4-liter engine with 150 hp (later replaced by a 1.5-liter engine with the same power) and a 2.0-liter engine with 180 hp. The top engines are only available with DSG automatic transmission and 4MOTION 4WD, but the original buyers opted for the volume diesel variant with 2.0 TDI and 150 hp and could add these two systems as an option. More than half of Allspace buyers choose a 4MOTION model, not only because the AWD system adds additional off-road capabilities, but also because it increases braked towing capacity by nearly half a ton to 2,400kg. Activation is via "4MOTION Active Control", a rotary knob under the gear stick that allows you to switch between on- and off-road mode. Maintaining the tarmac configuration obviously contributes to running cost efficiency, which in the case of the 2.0 TDI diesel model is 56.5 mpg combined cycle and 131 g/km CO2 (both NEDC figures).
Total
As with the regular Tiguan model, there's little not to like unless you expect this all-space derivative to be one of the more affordable options in the segment. For less than, say, the cost of a five-seat Audi Q5 or a Mercedes GLC, this seven-seat Volkswagen gives you a family SUV with almost the same brand quality but much more versatility. Are there other problems? apart from the price? Well, some competitors are a bit roomier. Add to that the annoying lack of ISOFIX child seat attachments in the third row of seats. For the rest, however, it is actually a very complete product. It is beautifully built, efficient in operation, easy to operate, and practical to own. Other alternatives in the segment make similar claims, but after testing them after a test drive with the Tiguan Allspace, you may end up feeling like you'd be willing to pay a bit more to own a Volkswagen. And we'd understand if you did.