VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN

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BMW X1

The body size is almost the same! The BMW X1’s light weight is its advantage

The new Volkswagen Tiguan is slightly longer and slightly lower than its predecessor, with significant changes to the details and overall proportions, giving it a styling that could be described as elegant.

Still, the body size and wheelbase are almost the same as the BMW X1, so there doesn’t seem to be much difference in practical terms. However, the most noticeable difference in specs is the weight. The X1 is 210 kg lighter, the equivalent of carrying three adults, which will likely result in a significant difference in the agility of the ride and handling.

Volkswagen Tiguan TDI 4MOTION Active

Body size = Length 4545mm x Width 1840mm x Height 1655mm

Wheelbase = 2680mm

Vehicle weight = 1750kg

Tire size = 215/65R17

BMW X1 sDrive 18i M Sport

Body size = Length 4500mm x Width 1835mm x Height 1625mm

Wheelbase = 2690mm

Vehicle weight = 1540kg

Tire size = 225/55R18

The new Tiguan is available with 4WD in the same price range.

The X1’s base grade, the 18i, is equipped with a 1.5-liter, three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine and front-wheel drive. Its natural rival would be the Tiguan’s newly adopted 1.5-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine + mild hybrid front-wheel drive model, but the new diesel engine model is appealing.

All diesel models of the new Tiguan are AWD, and a new mechanism that coordinates the electronically controlled suspension and electronically controlled differential is standard on all grades. Both engines offer sufficient performance for their class, but it can be said that the Tiguan has more powerful powertrain hardware.

Volkswagen Tiguan TDI 4MOTION Active

Engine type = Inline 4-cylinder DOHC diesel turbo

Displacement = 1968cc

Maximum output = 193PS / 3500-4200rpm

Maximum torque = 400Nm / 1750-3250rpm

Transmission = 7-speed DCT

Drive system = AWD

BMW X1 sDrive 18i M Sport

Engine type = Inline 3-cylinder DOHC gasoline turbo

Displacement = 1498cc

Maximum output = 156PS/5000rpm

Maximum torque = 230Nm/1500-4600rpm

Transmission = 7-speed DCT

Drive system = FWD

If you compare models in the same price range, the new Tiguan is a good deal

The starting prices for the Tiguan are 4,871,000 yen and the X1 are 5,400,000 yen. The diesel Tiguan model compared here is about 200,000 yen more expensive than the X1, but as mentioned above, it comes standard with advanced control functions such as electronic suspension and differential. The X1 also has a diesel-engine 4WD model, but it is priced at a steep 6,280,000 yen.

The premium brand BMW’s X1 is likely to win in terms of the quality of the interior and exterior, as well as the driving feel, but when you look at the level of hardware and the wide range of grade options for the price, the Tiguan seems to be the better value.