Just been called out to recover a stranded Tiguan. He had gone off the road on a 1:5 hill and stranded himself on some roadwork signs, with one wheel over a hole. Managed to pull him sideways and back onto the road. Left a very grateful driver with the parting remark from me "bet you buy a landrover next time!" 2009 Grey HSE Auto
Gone;
2006 Black FL2 SE manual
2007 Silver FL2 GS commercial manual.

We were so close to buying one of those but went for the FL2 (see my footer note)......despite the 'issues ' the best decision we've ever made

Allan wrote:

Just been called out to recover a stranded Tiguan. He had gone off the road on a 1:5 hill and stranded himself on some roadwork signs, with one wheel over a hole. Managed to pull him sideways and back onto the road. Left a very grateful driver with the parting remark from me "bet you buy a landrover next time!"

You should tell that to one of our national car reviewers, who apparently hates Land Rovers and loves putting them down on every opportunity.

In a published "complete" test comparing the Tiggie with an X3 and FL2, the Tiggie won
The conclusion was: VW Tiguan won the test because of the combination of all round qualities/price  2007 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Manual with Premium Pack & Moonroof.
Stornoway Grey with Ebony Black Pleather, Clear Indicators, Body Side Mouldings etc.

Ah the Tiggie and the X3. Both were in my research list together with 21 other contenders.

The Tiggie failed on primarily comfort, child safety and load space. The X3 failed on almost every criteria - possibly the worst car BMW have ever made.

-o-
Footnote:
47,000+ Tiggies sold in Germany so far - LR cannot even sell 10% of that figure in Germany re the FL2.
Why? Answer: Usual reasons: Dreadful marketing and unable to justify the price premium. Same story here in Switzerland. Maybe the powers that be in LR HQ will recognise this situation, assimilate the evidence and refine their communications strategy in ample time for the "Ventura or Whatever" launch.

athelstan wrote:

Ah the Tiggie and the X3. Both were in my research list together with 21 other contenders.

The Tiggie failed on primarily comfort, child safety and load space. The X3 failed on almost every criteria - possibly the worst car BMW have ever made.

-o-
Footnote:
47,000+ Tiggies sold in Germany so far - LR cannot even sell 10% of that figure in Germany re the FL2.
Why? Answer: Usual reasons: Dreadful marketing and unable to justify the price premium. Same story here in Switzerland. Maybe the powers that be in LR HQ will recognise this situation, assimilate the evidence and refine their communications strategy in ample time for the "Ventura or Whatever" launch.

Really strange, because the FL2 is definitely the best car in the winter, -on ice & snow. 2008 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Automatic, Caspian Blue, Alpaca, Moon roof, Exclusive pack.

VIKING wrote:

Really strange, because the FL2 is definitely the best car in the winter, -on ice & snow.

We looked fondly at the Tiguan. It offers quite a few features you can't get here on an LR2. Still, in the end we wanted a off road (snow) capable vehicle...features be damned!

LR2inTheUSA wrote:

We looked fondly at the Tiguan. It offers quite a few features you can't get here on an LR2. Still, in the end we wanted a off road (snow) capable vehicle...features be damned!

A USA spec VW Tiguan SEL 4Motion model (not sure it may be called there)

1. 12 way power adjustable Front Driver Seat with 4 way power Lumbar.

2. Front passenger seat also offered more seat adj, Lumbar adjustment, and fold flat function.

3. Rear seat sliding adjustability. Left or Right seat side can move independently front to back!

4. Ski center Rearseat pass thru (still allows 4 passenger comfort) instead of 60/40 split

5. 30GB & SD Card reader music system, 6 mos free Sirius Sat radio, a Nav we seemed to liked better.

6. Rear seat side thorax airbag option.

7. Rear view back-up camera also available.


The Land Rover LR2 was clearly a significant step up from the VW in our opinion. LR2 is a much nicer vehicle and can go off road, tow a lot more, offers Terrain response, etc. We were just pleasantly surprised by some of the seemingly well though out features in the (media maligned?) Volkswagen Tiguan.

Also one thing not to forget is that VW is the national brand in Gemrany with I don't know how many dealerships. It's the power of the brand aligned with customer expectations.

In Germany Autobahn ability means much more than ability off road to many customers.

When we were looking for a 4x4 we checked and preferred the Freelander, although Tiguan was much cheaper over here in Turkey.

The class of Tiguan is more like the area of Ford Kuga & crew IMO. 2010 Freelander 2 Select TD4 auto....gone
2011 Freelander 2 TD4 auto ...current

LR2inTheUSA
Re your comments:

1:Too many settings are not only time wasting but, increases the potential for a total electrical failure and lead to complete irritation on behalf of the driver believing he/she is just another setting away from nirvana. Bit like chasing a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

2: Fold flat front seat is dangerous. Any unsecured load placed on there (or even a "secure" item under certain conditions) will, in an RTA present an unnecessary risk to the driver and other occupants.

3: This "sliding" facility, by the very nature of its design, contributes to the reduction in its normal load space capacity (less than the FL2) when the back seats are in their standard normal position. Unless the back seats are never used and there is always only one or two persons using the vehicle it is neither use nor ornament. And if that was the case (1 or 2 person capacity requirement) you would indeed be better off buying a small 4x4 pick up.

4: Why on earth anyone wishes to place wet dirty skis inside their car I'll never understand. I have observed for years friends' initial delight with their Audi ski pouch deteriorate into dismay and anguish that this feature has been instrumental in accelerating the wear and tear of their load space trims. Vibration and careless ski handling being the main cause, which in turn also contributes to the very fabric of the pouch not standing the test of time. Finally, when this is taken into account together with the interior space the skis consume and the malignant stench of damp skis they have all eventually reverted to placing their skis on top of their cars - not inside.

5: What's the priority here: the vehicles' automotive agility or a home entertainment centre. I'm with the great Sir Alec Issigonis on this topic.

6: The Euro NCAP independent vehicle safety test facility rated the FL2 safer for adults and children than the Tiggie. Possibly that fold flat front seat helped the Tiggie to fall flat on its not so "solid" face.

7: Are you so insecure in your own ability to reverse - or - is the fear of kidnap so ever present on your streets?

-o-

As I mentioned previously - I found nothing in the Tiggie to make me buy it.

athelstan wrote:

the malignant stench of damp ski boots in my case

 At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

CG:
You have quoted me as saying that - I did not - surely you meant your ski boots.

My ski boots (and daughter's) are always fresh as swiss alpine air. Just don't breath in too deeply or you'll detect a wiff of bovine beauteous

athelstan, I really don't get the point of your post.

The items posted by LR2 are quite nice features, increasing the practicality. You might prefer to not have them and that's ok, however your non-preferance of these Items does not add any value on the discussion points, neither why more tiggies are sold nor tiggie offering more features. 2010 Freelander 2 Select TD4 auto....gone
2011 Freelander 2 TD4 auto ...current