ASPIRING LEADERS

The new Volkswagen Tiguan takes on the Hyundai Tucson for compact family-SUV honours

- Alex Ingram

CAR buyers love to feel like they're treating themselves. Given the choice of two cars with similar price and ability, you can't blame someone for steering towards the one that feels like the slightly posher, more desirable alternative.

This aspirational goal is something that Volkswagen has tapped into brilliantly for decades, by giving its range of family cars a premium feel that does just enough to elevate the marque above most alternatives.

However, things haven't been quite so straightforward in recent years, and other rivals have cracked that same formula. Now VW wants to re-establish its lead in the family SUV class with the third-generation Tiguan.

One of the toughest challengers in a class bursting at the seams with strong competition is the Hyundai Tucson. Its place at the top is deserved; not only does it tick all of the family car boxes, but it also manages to sprinkle a dusting of the premium appeal that has been a key VW selling point for so long.

So does the latest Tiguan have the talent to overcome our current class favourite, or has Hyundai beaten VW at its own game?

Volkswagen Tiguan

MODEL TESTED: 1.5 TSI DSG Elegance PRICE: £39,290 POWERTRAIN: 1.5-litre 4cyl petrol mild hybrid, 148bhp