The first part of our drive included a short dirt road, and although we were driving the front-drive model at the time, we noted good traction. All-wheel-drive variants are equipped with 4Motion Active Control, a system that lets the driver select between Snow, On-Road, Off-Road, and Custom Off-Road modes. On-Road mode also lets the driver select between Eco, Normal, Sport, and Custom modes. We spent most of our time driving in Sport mode, which improved its performance, but we still noted a bit of lag from the turbo. The steering felt pretty light on both models, something that most drivers would appreciate, and the suspension did a good job absorbing the bumps on the road.

2018 Volkswagen Tiguan S front end in motion 02

To achieve better fuel economy, all models have auto start/stop, which you can disable with the push of a button. Although we initially estimated digits upward of 30 mpg, the EPA rated the front-drive Tiguan with 22/27/24 mpg city/highway/combined; all-wheel-drive models scored 21/27/23 mpg. This is a moderate gap behind the Honda CR-V, which ranked 28/34/30 mpg for front-drive models with its 1.5-liter turbo engine. Even the front-drive Ford Escape 1.5T and the Toyota RAV4 scored better numbers than their German counterpart, with each earning 23/30/26 mpg.

There will be four Tiguan variants available (S, SE, SEL, and SEL with the Premium package), which can be configured with front- or all-wheel drive. The third row is standard on front-drive models, and it's a $500 option for all-wheel-drive versions. Yours truly, a 6-foot journalist, experienced plenty of headroom and legroom in the second row. I can assure you that only children should sit in the third row; headroom and legroom are extremely limited. All trims come standard with a rearview camera, roof rails, and automatic post-collision braking, which applies the brakes when the air bags deploy to prevent further damage in an accident.

2018 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL Premium steering wheel view

Our time in the Tiguan was spent sampling the SEL and SEL Premium grades, and we enjoyed the new Volkswagen Digital Cockpit with a 12.3-inch digital display on the dashboard, which works similarly to Audi's virtual cockpit. If the nav system is enabled, the driver can display the maps in the instrument cluster, making it easy to follow the directions. The map graphics are not as modern as the Google Maps satellite images that Audi models get, but the rest of the display, including the tachometer and speedometer, look fantastic. All models get an 8.0-inch center-console touchscreen with App-Connect, which supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink. SEL Premium models get a standard Fender premium audio system with nine speakers, including a subwoofer.

With a starting price of $26,245, the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan is more expensive than the competition, but it's a little cheaper than the three-row Nissan Rogue. The SEL with Premium and AWD is pricey, costing $38,450. There are many available options to choose from, including a panoramic sunroof with ambient lighting ($1,200), a power liftgate with a hands-free option, and the Driver Assistance package ($850). The R-Line package will be coming next year at an add-on price of $1,795 for SEL models ($300 less with the Premium package). Safety features include a blind-spot monitor, rear traffic alert with automatic braking, lane assist, a bird's-eye-view camera, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, park distance control with automatic rear braking, and front assist with pedestrian monitoring.

After almost 10 years of offering the same product in a segment that's hot and evolving, Volkswagen finally introduced a more mature Tiguan. It's bigger, bolder, and modern, and it was designed with the American customer in mind. And just like my classmates and I felt a decade ago, the Tiguan is eager to start a new stage in its life.

2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
BASE PRICE	$26,245-$34,750
VEHICLE LAYOUT	Front-engine, FWD/AWD, 5-7-pass, 4-door SUV
ENGINE	2.0L/184-hp/221-lb-ft turbocharged DOHC 16-valve I-4
TRANSMISSION	8-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT	3,750-4,050 lb (mfr)
WHEELBASE	109.8 in
LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT	185.1 x 72.4 x 66.3 in
0-60 MPH	7.5-8.0 sec (MT est)
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON	21-22/27/23-24 mpg
ENERGY CONSUMPTION, CITY/HWY	153-160/125 kW-hrs/100 miles
CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB	0.81-0.83 lb/mile
ON SALE IN U.S.	July, 2017

2018 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL Premium with roof rack