The final trek back home after visiting friends near Ipswich was a perfect example of where this fuel-sipping tech works so well. It was a steady, two-hour trip mainly on the A12 and M25, completed at an average speed of 60mph, yet the car returned more than 50mpg fully laden. Overall, we reckon, the Tiguan passed this latest test with flying colours.
Volkswagen Tiguan long-term test: first fleetwatch report
The Tiguan’s mild-hybrid technology offers little benefit in town, but shines on longer journeys
One of the things about the Volkswagen Tiguan that I have been most looking forward to testing is its real-world fuel economy. I wanted to see where the benefits of the mild-hybrid tech would be most obvious in everyday use.
Unfortunately, for someone who lives in south-west London, I soon realised that heavy stop-start traffic did the car no favours. The Tiguan basically doesn’t do any urban trips – even in part – in economy-boosting EV mode. At one point in a particularly painful recent journey, the car’s trip computer was showing just 19mpg. Although, to be fair, I generally expect about 30mpg around town.
Instead, the benefits of the MHEV tech are most obvious on longer, higher-speed trips, where I can take advantage of the cylinder cut-off tech and coasting features when there’s no load on the engine. On a journey back from a sports tournament in Wiltshire using the A4, M4 and M3, for example, the VW returned more than 50mpg without any effort on my part. Much more impressive.
Volkswagen Tiguan long-term test: first report
We’re joining the crowd and testing this mild-hybrid SUV for the next six months
