The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan is a well-rounded crossover SUV, just don’t expect to use its third row for anyone bigger than the family dog.
Pros Spacious digs Classy, conservative design Good standard tech Lots of crash-avoidance gear
Cons Comical third row So-so fuel economy Can get expensive with options R-Line’s just a tease
The current-generation Tiguan launched for the 2018 model year, and it's received only superficial changes since. For 2020, the Tiguan adds a Wi-Fi hotspot, which is now standard, as is additional safety content including forward-collision alert with automatic braking and a blind-spot warning system. There's a new SE R-Line Black trim that packages 20-inch dark wheels, sunroof, fog lights, and parking-alert sensors. Volkswagen is also shortening its warranty on all of its 2020 models from a standout 6 years/72,000 miles down to a more typical 4 years/50,000 miles. But two years of complimentary maintenance is now included.
Pros Refined driving experience, available third row, excellent fuel economy.
Cons Not as quick as its rivals, ride gets firm with large optional wheels.
The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan comes with front wheel drive, and all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 8-speed shiftable automatic.Safety features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard on all models.Volkswagen's Car-Net telematics system standard; Wi-Fi available with subscription.SEL model includes heated steering wheel and rain-sensing wipers.
PROS Ample space for passengers and cargo Three-row seating is useful in a pinch Intuitive tech interface Offers longer warranty period than most competitors
CONS Subpar acceleration and responsiveness Ranks low in fuel economy for the class Optional larger wheels make for a bumpy ride
There are plenty of seven-seat SUVs to choose from if you've got a large budget, but what if you're looking for something that's got all the space but is more reasonably priced? Well, then the Skoda Kodiaq should be on your shortlist, because its attractive entry-level price certainly makes it appealing to big families looking for value for money. It's actually Skoda's first ever seven-seater car, and its first large SUV. It shares some of its underpinnings with other VW Group SUVs including the Audi Q2, Seat Ateca and Volkswagen Tiguan, but the larger Kodiaq is more of a rival for the Nissan X-Trail, while the higher-end and pricier versions compete with the Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe and even Land Rover's Discovery Sport. The entry-level versions of the Kodiaq come with five seats as standard, but it’s the seven-seat versions that have by far the most appeal. Engine options range from a 121bhp 1.4 petrol all the way up to a punchy 188bhp 2.0-litre diesel, and there’s also a choice between front and four-wheel drive and manual and automatic (DSG) gearboxes.
The Kodiaq is the first seven-seater for the Czech manufacturer, and the start of a rollout of SUV models due to hit showrooms over the next four years. Kodiaq is named after the Kodiak bear which inhabit the Kodiak islands in Alaska. For some handy dinner table trivia, the car is spelt with a ‘q’ not a ‘k’ as a tribute to Alaska’s native Alutiiq people who identify an animal by ending its name with a ‘q’. That and there’s already a Chevrolet Kodiak and, you know, lawyers.
Pros Practical, spacious and clever - like a Skoda should be Comfortable seats, and comfortable ride Upmarket interior, especially the touchscreen
Cons Front design perhaps a little awkward Lacklustre midrange response from both engines Third row quite tight
The Skoda Kodiaq is the Czech company’s first seven-seater SUV and a real reason to worry for rival models such as the Nissan X-Trail, Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento. The Kodiaq strikes a good balance when it comes to offering comfort and agility. Well, ‘aglie’ might be too strong a word, but for a car of this size, the big Skoda suffers from little body roll even if you power through corners quickly. More important is the cosseting ride, which you get in all but 19-inch wheeled models. It shields passengers from big bumps and broken road surfaces, with only smaller high-frequency jolts catching the chassis out. We drove a model with 19-inch wheels and although the ride wasn’t uncomfortable, you did feel most bumps in the cabin.
Pros Superb build quality Hugely practical interior Seven-seat option
Cons Stiff ride with big wheels Some wind noise at motorway speed Top-spec diesel noisy
