living with that boot?

[DFRDB4ME]

I was hoping for some feed back good and bad about the boot space and how tight is it?? I know boot space is a personal thing but I would like to if anyone has found it a pleasant surprise or they have found that they just can't live with it.
I have two boys (6 & 11).
I am currently trying to decide between the Tigg or the x trail Diesel and the only area that the x trail wins is in the boot...
Any advice would be great.

[Sharkie]

There are only a few reasons to consider another SUV above a Tiguan. Boot space and actual offroad capbility may be valid reasons.

As a whole I don't believe you will find a better allround package though. Wheels Magazine agrees apparently. Read the SUV Mega-test here: http://www.wheelsmag.com.au/Road_Tes...late=domWheels

After much reservation my wife finally agreed that the Tiguan is OK for her after not being happy with the boot initially. Having my kids (8,10&12) sit in all the small SUVs (including the Q5) and report on which they found the most comfortable, the Tiguan finally got the nod. In the end my kids' comfort on a trip lasting more than 20mins was the deciding factor.

Other advantages was just a bonus for my wife, whilst I obviously had other criteria

[Transporter]

I was hoping for some feed back good and bad about the boot space and how tight is it?? I know boot space is a personal thing but I would like to if anyone has found it a pleasant surprise or they have found that they just can't live with it.
I have two boys (6 & 11).
I am currently trying to decide between the Tigg or the x trail Diesel and the only area that the x trail wins is in the boot...
Any advice would be great.

Did you road test them both of them, if not you have to. Also I would consider how often I need that boot space (you can put roof capsule on the Tig). As for the off road capability both will be depending on the driver skills and his/hers judgment when it come to off road driving (limited ground clearance, suspension travel and so on). As per servicing cost, if you choose diesel engine both use the same expensive specs diesel oil. My pick from the two would be Tiguan but I’m waiting to road test Subaru Forester diesel when it arrives (why? See my posts in the tread “I scored Tiguan deal”.).

[Transporter]

There are only a few reasons to consider another SUV above a Tiguan. Boot space and actual offroad capbility may be valid reasons.

As a whole I don't believe you will find a better allround package though. Wheels Magazine agrees apparently. Read the SUV Mega-test here: http://www.wheelsmag.com.au/Road_Tes...late=domWheels

After much reservation my wife finally agreed that the Tiguan is OK for her after not being happy with the boot initially. Having my kids (8,10&12) sit in all the small SUVs (including the Q5) and report on which they found the most comfortable, the Tiguan finally got the nod. In the end my kids' comfort on a trip lasting more than 20mins was the deciding factor.

Other advantages was just a bonus for my wife, whilst I obviously had other criteria

Also you forgot to mention that the Tiguan won The Europen SUV of the year.

[DFRDB4ME]

Thanks heaps,
Sharkie, You must have lived my nightmare... my wife is concerned about the boot space but likes the drive... On the other hand she hates the look of the x-trail (we are taking that for a drive today). The big test will be on Monday when we have arranged to "test fit" our 80l Weaco in the back of the tig.
As for the Subaru Forester diesel, its taking too long to get here and if it drives like current one (dull in comparison) it will still be out of the question.
Once again thanks ..

[DJY]

Don't forget when you are playing with the Tiguan...
that the back seats can slide forward up to 16cm to give extra room!

I watched a video online - of an American review - where they lined up all the SUV's and packed it full of a "bulk shop"...

Got everything in the Tiguan except one small box of something...
which could easily have been fitted I suspect - or just put on the back seat between passengers.

Will be interested to see how your 'test fit' goes.

[jettapilot]

I considered the Tiguan. I have two teenagers - girls - and I sometimes have to transport 4 x 16 year old rowers with school bags.

I can live without FWD and I found that the Jetta has the same room inside, is much the same size outside (and not so high), same diesel engine I wanted and the boot of the Jetta is ENORMOUS!

Worth a thought, unless you desperately have to have a FWD.

[DJY]

I looked at the Jetta - when I saw the Tiguan boot myself!
Jetta boot is HUGE!

But not nearly as much room in the back seat area I found.
with both front seats in a normal position for me, I found an adult getting in the back was tight. Knees on the back of the front seat, and didn't feel as roomy inside as the Tiguan.

Jetta is still a great car though!
Passat is nice too!
Passat CC even better! but adults can't really sit in the back of the Passat CC without their heads hitting the roof! Wouldn't be comfortable with two adults in the back driving for any distance I didn't think.

[jettapilot]

I'm 165cm so when my driver's seat is in position there's still plenty of room behind. The girls find it 'spacious' in the back.

I can understand it might be different with a tall driver.

BTW, I sat in the driver's seat of Passat CC and found it incredibly comfortable. Tall rear seat passengers would have to be quite laid back not to bump heads on the roof!

[IGW84]

We have five in the family. Oldest child is a tall lanky 16 year old (on his L's). Youngest is a very compact 11 year old.

Our major buying considerations were: 1) Good comfortable rear seat for long distance driving, 2) diesel or hybrid, 3) all or 4WD for mud and snow, 4) Full safety alphabet soup. Then there were other lesser considerations.

It was tough finding anything good until we saw the Tig. We got it late June 08 and have done about 16000 k's of a mix of city (Syndey) and country driving. Long term av fuel economy is about 6.4 l/100km. About 60% of our driving would be in urban areas. 6-sp manual.

The three major things we don't like most (in order): 1) space saver spare, 2) boot space, 3) electric park brake.

We end up on many minor roads and dirt firetrails - we will be burnt by the space save spare at some stage. The boot space is a nuisance but we have a good roof pod and will get a trailer if needed. We are managing OK to date - even with all the bikes and surfboard/boogey boards/fishing gear etc. Roof racks and pod and tow bar and bike carrier are essential for us. We also sometimes remove the styrofoam dividers from in the spare wheel well to give extra storage space when traveling - this gives a very useful increase in storage for less commonly needed things.

(Price of the factory tow bar is outrageous - about $2000. No after market ones at the time we bought. Nice that is it hidden when the bar is not fitted, but still....)

The electric park brake is another that would be hard to deal with off on some fire trail after returning from a canyon or bush walk. There was, apparently a problem on the Passat electric park brakes, but I have not seen or heard any systematic issue on the Tig version - this according to Chatswood Classic service rep. I suspect a mechanical hand brake would be more reliable, however, who knows, maybe it will be OK. It maybe just my electrical engineering training that makes me dislike more and more systems that can disable a vehicle. Still vehicle reliability is getting better over the years - I am happy not to have to deal with flaky carbys and poor sparks in wet weather etc. Our learner driver likes not having to worry about the handbrake on the hill starts, for sure.

Other negatives are pretty minor such as the stupid and useless light in the boot (so low that it is always obscured by stuff).

Some of the things we love/like (in no real order):
1) diesel engine is fun to drive, fuel efficiency is good
2) cabin is good with excellent rear seat leg room and good comfort even for the middle passenger
3) Vehicle size is good compromise for us (we have just the one car and so it has to do the local running about when we can't walk/ride) as well as our long camping/touring/skiing etc trips.
4) Dash is clear (but there is a slight tendency to see the (unnecessary) tacho rather that the speed when you glance down, probably not changed from the right-hand drive console, and one adapts to look in the correct spot).
5) manual gear box is good
6) handling is excellent and we think our daughters trvel sickness is better in this car than the old truck (Prado).
7) Blind spots are there but not too bad.
lots of other stuff

Overall we are *very* happy. We live with the small boot as a known compromise and deal with it by the roof racks and pod for when we need more space. We have had only one minor warranty call (broken bit in the front passenger seat belt catch that made it hard (not impossible) to engage the seat belt.

Sorry for the long post but this is our real world experience of about 10 months and 16k km in our Tig with three adult sized and two teenager sized people. Maybe of some use someone.

Bye for now,
Ian