Is my Tiguan 4WD?

[dieterbohlen]

Can someone explain if Tiguan 162Tsi Sportline considered as 4WD. There is a 4Motion badge on the back but can I go off road as you would on let’s say Land Cruiser? Will it get bogged in the sand? On the control panel there are settings for “off road” driving but what does that in really mean? What’s the difference between VW and Toyota’s 4X4?
Thanks

[Simonr23]

I can’t answer 100% accurately, but the simple answer is ‘no’

It has an awd system, where drive can be sent to any number of the 4 wheels- but this means it’s possible to be driving only one. Traction control should then transmit power to a wheel that isn’t already spinning, but as there isn’t a lockable front/rear and/or centre diff/transfer case, it’s not a 4wd, so need to be aware.

It’ll do ok in sand if you let the tyres down and it’s not too whooped out(basically zero suspension travel) but our tyres aren’t made for it really. Low profile and highway tread pattern, after all.

[dieterbohlen]

So, is the clearance and smaller tyres are the difference?
I guess with my 20’ wheels it will be hard to hit the dunes

[tigger73]

I think you'd be surprised what a standard Tiguan would get through, however don't take it through water that is above the sills or through big mud pits or large volumes of soft sand.

Tyres will make a reasonable difference. However ultimately you have no low range and no diff lock so plan your escape strategy before entering any tricky stuff (you should do this anyway).

[Ozsko]

Have a look on YouTube, lots of videos there including some mad Russian stuff. Given proper all terrain tyres and get rid of the toy wheels they come fitted with and I reckon it would go places but it is not a low range/transfer case four wheel drive.

[mesophyte]

For a good overview of AWD (which 4Motion is) vs 4WD, check out https://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/a...to-choose.html

As has been pointed out, Tiguan is not strictly speaking a 4WD. A more interesting question is whether places like ski resorts that don't require chains from 4WD cars require chains on AWDs.. that I don't know.

[Jimi]

AWD and 4WD is treated the same at ski resorts in Australia. The biggest issue is that NSW and VIC differ. NSW doesn’t require chains to be carried (only for 2WD) but VIC does for 4WD and AWD, and in the case of Mt Hotham they insist on diamond pattern which doesn’t work with the 20” Suzuka wheels on the R-Line Highline.

[Dutch77]

What’s the difference between VW and Toyota’s 4X4?

Most Landcruisers are driven by blokes who can't drive in one lane and get their jollies dragging off Kias at the traffic lights because they have a V8 badge.

I suspect this is not the point of this thread though.

[Tob35]

Most Landcruisers are driven by blokes who can't drive in one lane and get their jollies dragging off Kias at the traffic lights because they have a V8 badge.

I suspect this is not the point of this thread though.

Although off topic... Absolutely accurate!!!

[spacemannz]

Although off topic... Absolutely accurate!!!

Still off topic, would a stock 162tsi Tig beat a stock V8 Landcruiser?

[tigger73]

Still off topic, would a stock 162tsi Tig beat a stock V8 Landcruiser?

At the lights yes. Through a river crossing maybe not.


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[Darvidge]

Even my 132TSI would clean up a Landcruiser. Obviously not at a river crossing!

[Guest001]

Well I have owned both vehicles and I certainly wouldnt take a TIG anywhere near some of the places I have been in a Landcruiser.

Why. Well first a TIG is a unitary body and take it across an uneven driveway and it will creak as it flexes

A Landcruiser (at least my 100ser) has a ladder chassis and is as stiff as a board as its meant to be and so will take a lot more punishment than the Tig.

As said it isnt really a 4wd and isnt meant for going across the Simpson or to the Cape. Your money your car but mine stayed on road or maybe just a paddock and with 20in wheels and low profiles I wouldnt let the tyres down too far either.

Also for the Cruiser knockers a diesel one was the one to have and was a dark day when they ended them. Never bothered trying Kias or anything I had to pay for the fuel so why waste it.
Mine pulled a 3 tonne van 51000km around Aus without any repairs or even punctures. Just got serviced as scheduled and thats all it needed

[Darvidge]

Your absolutely right about landcruiser capabilities. The comparison was only about off the mark short drag .
I bought mine before the idea of buying a caravan was considered. Bought a 1975kg AGM single axle full size Jayco and the 132kw Tiguan tows it easily. But if I new I was going to tow a van , I would have bought the likes of a landcruiser.

[Flipper Dog]

Your absolutely right about landcruiser capabilities. The comparison was only about off the mark short drag .
I bought mine before the idea of buying a caravan was considered. Bought a 1975kg AGM single axle full size Jayco and the 132kw Tiguan tows it easily. But if I new I was going to tow a van , I would have bought the likes of a landcruiser.

You need to weigh up the usage of a Landcruiser v's a Tiguan in the real world. Yes having a large heavy towing vehicle is great to move a caravan around the country but how many times a year would you do it and over what distance ?
If the Tiguan is capable of towing 2 tons of caravan, all well and good. The Tiguan is better at performing commuting requirements on a daily basis over a Landcruiser, especially in urban environments. Fuel usage, drivability, size all factor into what is really the core requirement of your vehicle usage.

I use to have a 300 series Landcruiser provided as a work vehicle. Too large to fit into inner city streets, pain to park in shopping centre carparks, heavy on fuel, boring to drive. It did however do what we required it to do on the odd occasion we really needed it capabilities. That was maybe once a month.