2019 Volkswagen Tiguan

2019 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL Premium 4MOTION â A Tiguan That Refuses to Blend In There are plenty of SUVs designed to disappear into a parking lot. This is not one of them. This 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL Premium 4MOTION immediately stands out because of its color, and that color fits the personality of the Tiguan perfectly. Volkswagen has always been willing to give its cars a little more character than the average crossover, and this one feels like a celebration of exactly that. The shape is unmistakably Volkswagen. It is clean and European without being overly styled, with crisp body lines, a strong stance, and just enough chrome and brightwork to dress it up. Then you add a color that actually has some life to it, and suddenly the Tiguan stops looking like another compact SUV and becomes something you notice. SEL Premium was the top of the Tiguan lineup for 2019, and it shows once you open the door. Leather seating, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, driver memory, dual-zone automatic climate control, remote start, a hands-free power liftgate, and the huge panoramic glass roof give the cabin a much more upscale feel than most vehicles in this class. Volkswagenâs Digital Cockpit replaces the traditional gauge cluster with a configurable digital display, while the 8-inch touchscreen includes built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM capability. The Fender premium audio system is another one of those features you appreciate quickly once your favorite playlist comes on. It is a very Volkswagen interior: simple, clean, solid, and easy to understand. The SEL Premium also came loaded with driver-assistance technology. Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system all help make everyday driving easier. Underneath it is Volkswagenâs 2.0-liter turbocharged engine paired with an 8-speed automatic and 4MOTION all-wheel drive. The turbo engine delivers its torque low in the rpm range, which gives the Tiguan a responsive feel around town, while 4MOTION adds confidence when the road gets wet or your weekend takes you away from perfect pavement. One of the things that has always separated the Tiguan from a lot of compact SUVs is how it drives. The steering feels direct, the chassis feels composed, and there is a distinctly European character to the way the whole vehicle moves down the road. Cars.com actually ranked the Tiguan first in its 2019 compact-SUV comparison, praising its driving refinement, interior quality, comfort, and versatility. And versatility is another place where the Tiguan shines. There is generous room in the second row and a large cargo area that becomes even more useful when the rear seats are folded. It has the practicality people want from an SUV without giving up personality to get it. That is really what makes this one special. You ca