SUV

Exploring the 2023 VW Tiguan 1.4 R-line

Remember when we were younger and our imaginations had no limits?

Back then, most of us pictured ourselves driving something fast, loud, and exciting. Probably not an SUV. But life has a funny way of steering us toward the practical. Before long, the dream garage starts making room for sensible hatchbacks and sedans. Cars like the Golf and Corolla begin to make a lot more sense.

And then there are SUVs.

Love them or hate them, SUVs have taken over the automotive world. These tall, practical, sometimes slightly oversized family machines are everywhere. So I started wondering: how did we get here?

The SUV story goes back further than many people think. Before World War II, rugged off-road vehicles helped shape what would eventually become the modern SUV. Machines like the Willys Jeep Station Wagon and the Toyota Land Cruiser laid the groundwork. Over time, as suburbs grew and lifestyles changed, SUVs became less about pure utility and more about comfort, space, image, and the promise of adventure.

Curious about the appeal, I decided to spend some time with the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4 R-Line, kindly provided by Tavcor Mastercars.

Finished in Lapiz Blue, the Tiguan immediately reminded me of my previous Golf R. That colour alone brought back a bit of nostalgia. From a design point of view, the Tiguan follows the usual Volkswagen formula: familiar, clean, and carefully evolved rather than completely reinvented. The front end has been sharpened up nicely, giving it a more modern and confident look.

Inside, the Tiguan feels properly premium. The cabin is well put together, with soft-touch materials, supportive seats, and the kind of comfort you expect from a modern Volkswagen. This one also came with a winter package, including heated seats, which is always a welcome touch.

The engine, however, left me with mixed feelings.

The 1.4-litre motor produces 110 kW and 250 Nm of torque. It does the job, especially around town, but in a vehicle of this size, I could not help wondering whether the 2.0-litre version with 4Motion would suit the Tiguan better. The 1.4 is not bad by any means, but the car feels like it could handle — and maybe deserves — a bit more power.

Then there is the bigger question: does an SUV actually make sense in the city?

For me, the “Sport” in SUV has never really meant sporty in the traditional sense. It is less about cornering hard and more about lifestyle. It suggests the freedom to take on rougher roads, pack more gear, head out of town, and do the kind of things a normal hatchback might not be as comfortable doing.

So, should you buy one?

That depends on what you want from a car.

At R699,995, the Tiguan offers a strong mix of comfort, space, refinement, and weekend-away potential. It is quiet, practical, easy to live with, and capable enough for the occasional countryside escape. For city driving, it feels relaxed and polished. For longer trips, it has the space and comfort to make sense.

Personally, I like the Tiguan. I would just lean toward the bigger engine.