2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace deserves a space in local showrooms

Could Volkswagen PH bring in the Tiguan Allspace here?

If there is something Volkswagen Philippines needs more in their lineup, it's crossovers. At the moment, there is only one available which is the upcoming T-Cross. While it's a start, Volkswagen Philippines needs more high-riding models if they want to make a bigger impact in the market.

That brings us neatly to the Volkswagen Tiguan. It's the German automaker's contender for the compact crossover class that includes the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4. We reckon it can fill the void that's missing in the local range. Not only that, they recently updated the long-wheelbase version, too.

Yes, the Tiguan is available with an extended-length body, and they call it the Allspace. That gives this crossover an extra row of seats. With the demand for seven-seaters on the rise, it would be a good fit for the local market. But apart from two more seats, what else does it have to offer?

The new Tiguan Allspace gets the face from the standard-wheelbase version. It has upswept LED headlights paired with a larger front grille. To further enhance the sleek looks of the crossover, the bumper has also been restyled with larger vents. At the rear, it gets a new set of LED taillights together with a “TIGUAN” badge on the trunk lid just below the VW emblem.

As for the interior, it looks much like the MK.II Tiguan we tested a few years ago. That said, most of the updates are software upgrades. Volkswagen enhanced the digital instrument cluster and expanded the features in the infotainment system.

But the benefit from the lengthened body, aside from the extra seats, is the cargo capacity. It has 700 liters of space behind the second row and has a maximum volume of 1,755 liters. That's enough to rival some pick-up-based SUVs.

Global models have three turbocharged gas engines and two turbodiesels available. There are no specifics just yet, but we reckon the gas options include a 1.4-liter TSI (Turbo Stratified Injection) with 150 PS, a 2.0 TSI that puts out 186 PS, and a high-output version of the 2.0 TSI making 220 PS. 4Motion all-wheel drive is available for higher-spec models.

There is even a strong possibility of it landing in the Philippines. That's because the stretched Tiguan rolls off SAIC-Volkswagen assembly lines in China. Since Volkswagen Philippines get their models from SAIC, that boosts its chances of being offered here. If they do bring it here, it could even be less than two million pesos thanks to the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement.