Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace (2017-2021)

Models Covered

5dr SUV (1.4 TSI, 1.5 TSI, 2.0 TSI, 2.0 TDI)

Introduction

Volkswagen's second generation Tiguan widened its market reach in this lengthened 'Allspace' guise to include those wanting a third seating row in their mid-sized SUV. Could a used one be all the car you'll ever really need? Here, we look at the earliest 2017-2021-era versions of this model.

The History

By 2017, increasingly, it was no longer enough for mainstream brands to just offer a single mid-sized SUV. By then, the market was demanding that mainstream makers also provide variants of such models that were lengthened so as to be able to incorporate a third seating row. Volkswagen couldn't ignore this trend - and didn't, bringing us this bigger 'Allspace' Tiguan derivative.

It wasn’t hugely larger than the standard version - 215mm longer, with a wheelbase extended by 106mm. Still, that was enough to make quite a difference to the way customers could potentially use this car. And quite a difference to the way that Volkswagen could sell it too. The standard Tiguan wasn’t really big enough for the brand to offer in countries like America, but in pumped-up ‘Allspace’ form, it was a perfect fit as an entry-level SUV for that market, the additional rear inches also freeing up the extra second row room that burly Yankee buyers often need.

This helps explain why Volkswagen did more than just add some extra length to this model – the styling of the front end and the roof was different too. And why this Allspace variant was built on the other side of the Atlantic from its standard stablemate – at the company’s factory in Peubla, Mexico, the plant then assembling Beetle and Jetta models. The distance that fully-assembled versions of this car had to come to sell in our market wasn’t what accounted for this larger Tiguan’s rather higher price point though. That was down to the fact that that for this variant, Volkswagen ignored the lower-spec and lower-powered trim and engine options you could have with the standard body style, seeking to position the Allspace as a stepping stone to its larger more luxurious Touareg SUV.

So, it wasn’t a budget-buyer’s choice in this segment, but if you’re a Volkswagen customer who was already after a plusher Tiguan from the 2017-2021 period, the prospect of extra seats and extra space could well appeal. But will this model also interest families shopping amongst up-market versions of more affordable contenders in this sector from this period - like Nissan’s X-Trail and Peugeot’s 5008. Or the Skoda Kodiaq and SEAT Tarraco twins, cars that shared much of this Tiguan’s engineering? That’s a much tougher ask. Let’s taker closer look at what this car has to offer to the used buyer. This earlier version is our focus here: it was lightly updated in mid-2022.

What You Get

In Allspace form, this Tiguan ought to be just slightly bigger. Which of course it is, but somehow the changes made in creating this larger model created something more. From the central B-pillar backwards, everything was re-designed to allow for the 215mm of additional length. As part of that, the wheelbase became 106mm longer, stretching between black plastic-trimmed wheel arches housing rims of either 18 or 20-inches in size.

All well and good, but what you’ll really want to know is just how much difference the Allspace design changes made in terms of luggage capacity and rear seat room. Most of the time of course, the folks you’re carrying will want to take a pew in the middle row, where they’ll enjoy 54mm more kneeroom than they’d get in an ordinary Tiguan. That’s assuming the rear bench is set in the correct position. As in the ordinary model, it can slide backwards or forwards over a range of 180mm. The third row seating is best reserved for kids. At the wheel, there’s the usual classy Volkswagen design with a smart 8-inch centre screen. For luggage, there’s 230-litres of space with all seats upright, 700-litres with the second row folded and up to 1,775-litres with the middle row folded too.

What To Look For

Most Tiguan Allspace owners we surveyed were very happy with their cars, but inevitably, there have been those who have had problems you'll want to look out for. We came across a few issues with the DSG auto gearbox. Another owner reported faulty electric and various faulty sensors, plus problems with the GPS system. Apart from that, check for the usual things – interior child damage, scratched alloys etc. It’s unlikely that any Tiguan Allspace models will have been serious used off road but check the underside of 4MOTION variants just in case. And of course insist on a fully stamped-up service history.

On The Road

You wouldn’t expect the changes made to this lengthened Allspace model to have much effect on drive dynamics – nor did they. You’ll want to know about engines. The line-up dispenses with the feeblest petrol and diesel units offered in the standard Tiguan range, but is otherwise identical and, as with that ordinary model, is heavily orientated towards diesel power – 2.0-litre diesel power to be specific, Wolfsburg’s venerable TDI unit available in three states of tune with 150, 190 and 240PS outputs. There are also two petrol options, a 150PS 1.4-litre unit (later replaced by a 1.5-litre engine with the same output) and a 180PS 2.0-litre powerplant.

Top powerplants come only with DSG auto transmission and 4MOTION 4WD but original buyers who went for the volume 2.0 TDI 150PS diesel variant could add both those two systems in as options. More than half of Allspace buyers go for a 4MOTION model, not only because the AWD system delivers extra off road prowess but also because it’ll increase the braked towing capability by nearly half a tonne to 2,400kgs.

Overall

As with the ordinary Tiguan model, providing you don't expect this Allspace derivative to be among the cheaper choices in this segment, then there's very little not to like. For less than the cost of, say, a five-seat Audi Q5 or Mercedes GLC, you can get yourself, in this seven-seat Volkswagen, a family SUV with almost equal badge equity but quite a lot more versatility.