It can be difficult, once you’ve become accustomed with the advantages of an electric vehicle. Just like fast WiFi or powerful air-conditioning, it resets one’s bar. The clatter from a Mercedes-Benz W123 240D that has seen battle or the sulphuric pong coming from a Volkswagen Group product dating back to the 2000s, with its 1.9 TDI engine is just as appealing to this petrolhead as it is to the next engine fetishist. It is true that diesel is a fuel with a high energy density, and it also has remarkably long-lasting engines. You also have to ask yourself. Did people love the clicking sound of typewriter keys? The personal computer is a great convenience. It’s a good choice for most people. An easier, quicker and cleaner way of doing things.Last week Volkswagen’s diesel derivative of the latest Tiguan arrived for testing. I would have felt differently if a recent trip in Denmark, where almost every car is an electric vehicle, hadn’t happened. One marvelled not only at the palpable quietness of Copenhagen’s urban environment, but also the freshness of its atmosphere. The smog-filled haze in Johannesburg is a stark contrast.
(Supplied) Volkswagen knows a thing or two about emissions and it is arguable that the brand’s embarrassing 2017 Dieselgate scandal catalysed a hastier shift towards electrification. While the brand is going full speed ahead with their EV reinvention, and I.D Sub-Brand (at a slightly slower pace in SA), the Tiguan TDI represents the last vestiges for the old diesel generation. The TDI comes exclusively with 4Motion’s all-wheel-drive system in Life and R-Line models, priced between R774,400 and R855,100. Volkswagen’s diesel technology has evolved over decades. Starting up the modern Tiguan TDI is a far cry from what you might have remembered from those days when the brand’s diesels were a novelty, from the era of the Golf 4. Gratuitous insulation materials and clever vibration-suppressing measures will have some struggling to distinguish the TDI between the 1.4l TSI on idle. The satisfying grunt that comes with kick-down on the road is the clearest sign. The 2.0l displacement produces 110kW/340Nm. This is delivered in a free-flowing manner by the dual-clutch, seven-speed automatic transmission. It is a pairing that comes together nicely, reminding one of a time when sophisticated European diesels — particularly from Volkswagen and its divisions — were regarded as the next frontier, blending power and economy. Volkswagen claims that it can achieve 6.6l/100km. But if driven sensibly, you may be able to get even better. The R-Line is the superior version to the Life in terms of visual appeal and amenities. In addition to the obvious exterior highlights, the cabin also features seats with aggressive contouring and massaging capability for front passengers, a larger infotainment system, swankier trimming elements, etc. R-Line trim gives the vehicle a more aggressive feel. The R-Line trim adds a more aggressive tone to the proceedings. The overall build quality is above average, but not at the same level as its predecessor. The Volkswagen Group has a lot of products that are affected by this. Diesels in the C-segment segment are becoming a rare breed. One can count the number of remaining fighters. The Tiguan TDI is a great choice for those who want the torque and economy of a diesel. But it is worth remembering that torque richness and frugality are virtues that can be delivered in other ways these days — with the silence, smoothness and instantaneous response from an EV or hybrid.
2025-10-31 14:30:00
The 2025 VW Tiguan TDI arrives amid diesel decline
