By ROBIN ROBERTS

Volkswagen’s “titchy” Touareg, the Tiguan SUV, brazens onto UK roads today, 1 February.

Unveiled as a concept 18-months ago and in production form at the German motor show last autumn, the Tiguan is a four-wheel-drive rival to Land Rover Freelander, Toyota RAV4 and Honda CRV.

The five-door, five-seater more closely resembles the larger Touareg than the smaller Touran but it contains elements of both and delivers them in a very useful package and with some thoughtful marketing angles, including an optional self-parking system taken from the Touran.
UK prices range from £19,370 to £23,750 with the projected best selling model, the SE 2.0-litre TDI 140PS costing £21,800 in manual gearbox form or £23,050 with the six-speed tiptronic auto transmission. The other engine is a 1.4-litre TSI 150PS petrol unit and you can specify a six-speed manual box.
In the UK, this growing sector now accounts for around one in every 20 cars purchased, and total annual sales of 108,000 units.  Volkswagen anticipates first year UK sales of 10,500 units, around the same as the Volkswagen’s Touran compact MPV.
Tiguan UK sales should increase to 11,300 units in 2009 when the range is complete with a full engine line-up and a two-wheel drive version will be added by the end of the year.
Volkswagen said this week that they already have 3,200 orders for the new Tiguan and they expect to sell 60pc to retail buyers and overall about a third will be automatics.

The S, SE and Sport trim levels have the standard body kit but the Escape has shorter bumpers for better off-road ability and it comes with sump guard, hill descent assist and compass.
Whichever is chosen, all seat five but the sliding bench means the luggage capacity can be gradually increased to maximum 1,510 litres and towing capacity is a whopping 2,500KG.
Standard equipment includes sophisticated sound systems incorporating MP3 usability and CD player, advanced braking and traction control systems and six airbags. Options in addition to the park assist include off-road satnav.

The front axle adopts a strut type system linked to a lightweight aluminium subframe with electro-mechanical power steering.  A four-link rear axle is used to provide optimum on-road handling while still being suited to off-road driving.
Like it or not the SUV or 4x4 market in the UK keeps on growing, in particular the middle, or compact sector of it.  The Tiguan scores well where it matters and one of those areas is on-road driveability. It is certainly the most capable of its type on tarmac and it handles more or less the same as a large family hatchback or MPV.
The suspension is compliant and absorbs potholes and bumps with ease, no harsh jolts as with some SUVs but I would stay away from Sport versions which has a firmer suspension and bigger alloy road wheels so the ride comfort will be compromised.
The road holding is first class and the vehicle proved to be pretty agile, both on and off road. The 4Motion system gives enough grip to cope with some pretty tricky muddy off-road driving and the Escape variants have added underbody protection and a shorter front overhang to assist with such conditions.
All the driver has to do is push the off-road button and a computer takes over the traction distribution to all four wheels, adjusts the throttle settings, applies hill-descent and climb control when needed and adjusts the anti-lock braking.
All clever stuff but I’m not sure why VW feel there is the need for a Tiguan Escape version with added off road facilities. It adds complexity to the range and you can bet a customer will want the model the dealer doesn’t have readily available in stock. However the off-road mode function can be ordered as an extra cost option for £100.
The award winning 1.4-litre TSI direct injection petrol engine with its supercharger/turbocharger dual system is a real gem. It is free revving and responsive and provides 152PS of power but more importantly for a small petrol engine lots of torque, 240Nm from just 1,750rpm.
Top speed is 119mph, 0-62mph takes9.3 seconds, CO₂ emissions are 199g/km and the official combined fuel economy is 33.6mpg. Whilst this engine impresses for responsiveness and performance, the fuel consumption during testing this week in typical commuter traffic returned only 24.9mpg.
The commonsense option is the new 2.0-litre TDI common rail turbodiesel unit, as used in the new Audi A4. This has 140PS of power and 320Nm of torque from 1,750rpm. It is strong performer and copes with driving all four wheels without being fuel-thirsty.
Top speed is 115mph with 0-62mph taking 10.5 seconds with its six-speed manual gearbox. The excellent automatic transmission model with the same engine, my choice version, has an 113mph top speed and 0-62mph takes 10.7 seconds. The official average fuel economy is 39.2mpg (manual) and 37.7mpg auto with CO₂ emissions of 189 and199g/km respectively.
On test in exactly the same traffic conditions as the petrol engine, the 2.0-diesel model returned 35.9mpg with its slick to use six-speed gearbox and 33.8mpg with the automatic transmission.
All current models fall into the vehicle excise duty Band F with annual road tax bill of £205.

Volkswagen Tiguan SE 2.0-litre TDI 4Motion, manual transmission (likely best selling model). Price: £21,800.
Engine/transmission: 2.0-litre, common rail turbodiesel, 140PS, 320Nm from 1,750rpm, 6-speed manual, 4Motion all wheel drive.
Performance: 115mph, 0-62mph 10.5 seconds, 39.2mpg (35.9mpg actual), CO₂ 189g/km, VED Band F £205. Company car tax liability: 27%. Insurance group: 9.

For: Right size, attractive under-stated exterior styling, excellent ride comfort and road holding, good equipment levels, reasonable pricing but must-have options will add greatly to the price.
Against: Conservative interior styling, high load floor.