Time to upgrade

[Jimi]

I have a purely hypothetical dilemma for my next car (at least a year away and I'm happy with my GTI for now). I want AWD, more size and a bit of fun. I am weighing up

- Passat 206tsi wagon ($60k); or
- Tiguan 162tsi specced to match the Passat, so with R Line and the pack with the electronic display ($48k + $4k + $2k = $54k).

Once the specs are brought close to each other the pricing is 10% different.

As I see it, the Tiguan pros are
- new 7 speed DSG (the Passat's 6 speed is a bit older)
- clearance
- slightly cheaper
- slightly newer switchgear but it's very similar

Passat pros:
- faster
- noticeably bigger in rear seats (?) and boot

What have I missed? Has anyone put the Tiguan up against the equivalent Passat? Expecting pro-Tiguan responses given the forum

[Janko]

Much depends on how important the "clearance" criterion is.If you need it on a regular basis for going off road or for ease of parking anywhere,then it is a fairly straight forward decision.

As for rear passengers,Passat is ok for two and will be a bit tight for three.Tiguan can accommodate three more comfortably as there is no hump in the footwell.

Tiguan has got better all round visibility but may not be important for a seasoned driver.

Tiguan does not have memory seats with massage function

[tigger73]

I have a purely hypothetical dilemma for my next car (at least a year away and I'm happy with my GTI for now). I want AWD, more size and a bit of fun. I am weighing up

- Passat 206tsi wagon ($60k); or
- Tiguan 162tsi specced to match the Passat, so with R Line and the pack with the electronic display ($48k + $4k + $2k = $54k).

Once the specs are brought close to each other the pricing is 10% different.

As I see it, the Tiguan pros are
- new 7 speed DSG (the Passat's 6 speed is a bit older)
- clearance
- slightly cheaper
- slightly newer switchgear but it's very similar

Passat pros:
- faster
- noticeably bigger in rear seats (?) and boot

What have I missed? Has anyone put the Tiguan up against the equivalent Passat? Expecting pro-Tiguan responses given the forum

Well as I see it the comparison is:

higher output motor and weaker DSG box in a wagon vs slightly less powerful motor and stronger DSG box in a SUV

If you're going to swap out at the end of the warranty then it's toss a coin. But if you're going to keep longer term I think the reliability of the 7 speed DQ500 DSG is a strong selling point in the Tiguan's favour.

The 162TSI R-line is a more distinctive car than the Passat 206TSI which looks like every other Passat with a body kit. The only real cues are the badge on the back (not sure if they're running a quad tip exhaust on the 206TSI or not).

If history is anything to go by then resale for the Tiguan should be better than the Passat.

My suggestion is get the 132TSI Tiguan and chip it to ~235kw. It'll beat the Passat 206TSI and give you close to $20k in your pocket.

[Jimi]

Thank you both. I'm leaning the way of the Tiguan, just want to see the boot size in person (in fact I'm looking forward to checking out both in person)

[Gladbach]

The boot is much bigger than the previous model. Still, I have a 2012 Jetta at the moment which has a MASSIVE boot, so it will be a downgrade going to the Tiguan. Although, I'm looking forward to having the flat load rather than a boot lip, and with the seats down you end up with a really usable cargo area for larger loads.