Thinking about a new SUV in the Gulf? Choosing the right size matters. Let's find out if the Volkswagen Tiguanor the Volkswagen Touareg is bigger and which one fits your daily life best. This guide will help you make a smart choice for your next car purchase.
Dimensions Compared:Volkswagen Tiguan vs Volkswagen Touareg
When you look at these two popular Volkswagen SUVs, their sizes are quite different. One is designed for city life, while the other is built for more space and comfort. Here’s a quick look at how they stack up:
Category:The Volkswagen Tiguan is known as a Compact SUV. This means it’s smaller and easier to handle in tight spaces. On the other hand, the Volkswagen Touareg is a Full-Size SUV, offering much more room inside and out.
Seating:The Volkswagen Tiguan comes with 5 seats, perfect for small families or individuals. The Volkswagen Touareg typically offers 5 seats, but some special models can have a third row, pushing the seating capacity to 7 passengers.
Cargo Space (approx.):Behind the rear seats, the Volkswagen Tiguan provides about 33 cubic feet of space for your stuff. The Volkswagen Touareg offers a generous 58 cubic feet behind its second row, giving you a lot more room for luggage or groceries.
Exterior Size
When you see them side by side, it's clear:the Volkswagen Touareg is much larger through and through. It stands bigger in every direction. This extra size impacts how you drive and park.
Length:The Touareg is about 15 to 20 inches longer than the Tiguan. This difference is easy to spot and can matter when trying to fit into a parking spot.
Wheelbase:The Touareg also has a longer wheelbase, which is the distance between the front and rear wheels. It’s extended by about 6 inches. A longer wheelbase often means a smoother ride, especially on highways.
Width:The Touareg is around 3 inches wider. This extra width means more shoulder room inside for passengers and a feeling of greater stability on the road.
Interior Space Differences
Inside, both SUVs are comfortable, but they offer room for different needs. The way they use their space matches their overall size and purpose.
Volkswagen Tiguan:This SUV is a comfortable 5-seater. It’s a great choice for small families or people who don't need a huge amount of space every day. It provides enough room for adults in the front and back for most trips. The passenger space feels cozy but ample.
Volkswagen Touareg:The Touareg gives you more space to stretch out. It has higher headroom, meaning even taller passengers will feel comfortable. While most Touareg models are 5-seaters, some versions offer an optional third-row seating. This makes it possible to carry up to 7 people, which is ideal for larger families or carpooling.
Practical Differences You’ll Notice
Beyond just size, the Tiguan and Touareg drive and feel very different in everyday use. These practical differences can really help you decide which one is right for you in places like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, or Doha.
Daily Driving Experience
Volkswagen Tiguan:For city driving, the Tiguan is a clear winner. Its smaller size makes city parking much easier, whether you're at the mall or in a tight street spot. It also offers nimble handling, meaning it's quick and easy to maneuver through traffic or around corners. It feels light and responsive.
Volkswagen Touareg:The Touareg provides a more relaxed driving experience, especially on longer journeys. You will notice more cabin quietness, as road noise and wind noise are well controlled. It delivers smoother highway rides, gliding over bumps and offering a very stable feel at higher speeds. This makes long trips across the region much more pleasant.
Cargo and Storage
Both SUVs can haul a good amount of gear, but the Touareg’s larger size truly shines when you need maximum capacity.
Volkswagen Tiguan:This model offers about 33 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row of seats. If you need more room, the rear seats can fold down flat. This expands the cargo area greatly, giving you up to about 65 cubic feet of total space. This is plenty for weekly shopping, sports gear, or a weekend getaway.
Volkswagen Touareg:With all its seats up, the Touareg still gives you a good 32 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row (if present). If it's a 5-seater, it offers 58 cubic feet behind the second row as mentioned earlier. When all the rear seats are folded flat, the Touareg’s cargo area truly becomes massive, maxing out at about 78 cubic feet. This is perfect for moving furniture, carrying large equipment, or packing for extended family trips.
Ownership Considerations
Owning a Tiguan or a Touareg also comes with different responsibilities and costs. It's smart to think about these before you buy, especially the ongoing costs in the UAE or Saudi Arabia.
Driving Performance
Touareg handles rough terrain better:With its strong build and often more powerful engines, the Volkswagen Touareg is better equipped for off-road adventures or rougher roads. It can handle varied landscapes with more ease, making it suitable for exploring beyond the city limits.
Tiguan offers better fuel efficiency:Due to its smaller size and lighter weight, the Volkswagen Tiguan generally uses less fuel. This means fewer stops at the petrol station and lower running costs over time, which is a significant advantage for daily commutes in high-traffic areas.
Cost Implications
Costs are always a big factor when buying a car, and there's a clear difference between these two Volkswagen models.
Touareg has a higher starting price range:The Volkswagen Touareg is a premium SUV, and its price reflects that. Its starting price is significantly higher (typically starting from around AED 180,000 / SAR 180,000 for newer models, going much higher for luxury trims) compared to the Tiguan.
Tiguan insurance and maintenance likely more affordable:Because it’s a smaller and less complex vehicle, the Volkswagen Tiguan usually has lower insurance premiums. Maintenance and parts might also be more affordable compared to the larger Touareg. This can save you money in the long run.
FAQ
Q:Is the Touareg worth the extra cost?
A:For large families who really need maximum space, the Touareg can be well worth the higher price (which starts from around AED 180,000 / SAR 180,000). It offers more comfort, power, and road presence. However, if you're an active consumer who values easy city driving, better fuel economy, and lower ongoing costs, the more versatile and affordable Tiguan (starting from around AED 100,000 / SAR 100,000) might be a better fit for your lifestyle.
Q:Which has better fuel economy?
A:The Volkswagen Tiguan nearly always offers superior fuel efficiency. This is because it is lighter and typically comes with smaller, more efficient engines. The Touareg, being larger and often more powerful, will naturally consume more fuel.
Q:Can the Tiguan fit car seats comfortably?
A:Yes, the Volkswagen Tiguan is good for families with children. Its rear seats are designed with wide door openings, making it easy to place car seats inside. It also includes LATCH anchors, which are special points for securely attaching child safety seats. Depending on the size of the car seats, you can usually fit 2 to 3 child seats across the back row.
Q:Does the Touareg fit in standard garages?
A:You should measure your garage carefully. The Volkswagen Touareg is a long vehicle, often over 200 inches (about 5 meters) in length. While it might fit, its length and width may require extra clearance. This means you might have less room to walk around the vehicle or store other items in your garage. Always check your garage dimensions before you buy to ensure a comfortable fit.
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