Passat or Tiguan

[blipsman]

My current 2002 VW Passat GLS is getting to the point where it needs various things fixed/replaced to the point of costing about what the car is worth... so my wife and I are contemplating a new car.

We went this weekend and looked at both the new Passat and the Tiguan... probably a Passat SEL Premium w. the VR6 or a Tiguan SEL. With the features we'd want, both price out pretty close. Anybody have thoughts for/against either vehicle? Issues to be aware of?

We live in downtown Chicago, currently no kids (but that'll likely change over lifespan of new car), if anybody has demographics considerations to point out.

[Knight2000]

Both are great vehicles. You'll have more room in the front/back seat of the Passat. And, believe it or not, more storage in the trunk/tailgate of the Passat. I've found that the Tiguan isn't useful for hauling things around, unless you fold down the rear seats, but I always had passengers with suitcases, golf clubs, etc. Very difficult.

If you don't care about fuel economy, the 3.6 is a great engine. Very fast. Probably too fast for a FWD car, if it's anything like the 3.6 in the previous Passat model, without the 4motion.

I would suggest the Passat, for the roominess, if for nothing else. Good luck!

[deagle]

how are the winters in chicagoland ?

the extra tiguan height might help wheel clearance over accumulated snow and stuff

although the tiguan is a taller car, is it longer than the passat ? this might be a consideration if you park in the urban city jungle on the street, where the shorter car can fit into a space better

if the specs are all but equal, check out truecar to see if their are any incentive/rebate differences

[blipsman]

The Chicago winters can be awfully snowy, though not this year... I live downtown so the streets get plowed pretty quickly after we do get snow. I've lived here for 10 years, owning a Jetta and now Passat. I've never had any issues with snow in either one (even commuting in the middle of a snow storm), so I can't imagine any issues with either VW I'm now considering. I've even decided to forgo the 4Motion on the Tiguan should I go that route.

As for parking, etc. in the city, the Tiguan actually has a much more compact footprint at 174.3" vs. 191.7" for the Passat. The Tiguan is also about 1" narrower. But given it's wagon shape and taller profile, storage is about a wash I guess. So the Tiguan's size is actually a benefit in the city compared to the Passat.

[Knight2000]

Although I live in a suburb of Detroit, and do spend some time down there, I have never lived IN a city such as Chicago, and therefore did not take into consideration parking issues.

Should you be parallel parking a lot, or even parking in smaller, confined spaces, the Tiguan will definitely do the trick. The Passat is a giant comparatively speaking.

No need for 4Motion on the Tiguan, unless you like to drift in the snow. I've driven both FWD and 4Motion and find no difference, other than having the ability to let the tires rip in the FWD model.

I change my vote.

The Chicago winters can be awfully snowy, though not this year... I live downtown so the streets get plowed pretty quickly after we do get snow. I've lived here for 10 years, owning a Jetta and now Passat. I've never had any issues with snow in either one (even commuting in the middle of a snow storm), so I can't imagine any issues with either VW I'm now considering. I've even decided to forgo the 4Motion on the Tiguan should I go that route.

As for parking, etc. in the city, the Tiguan actually has a much more compact footprint at 174.3" vs. 191.7" for the Passat. The Tiguan is also about 1" narrower. But given it's wagon shape and taller profile, storage is about a wash I guess. So the Tiguan's size is actually a benefit in the city compared to the Passat.

[barryroad]

...currently no kids (but that'll likely change over lifespan of new car)

The little ones generate a lot of baggage. For starters, consider the dimensions of a port-a-crib. It won't be long before you will need to transport one of those in your car. My experience was that it took the entire rear of the Passat wagon plus the split-fold-down that was not occupied by the car seat to carry everything for a family trip with a newborn.

Now, the complication is that VW does not make the Passat wagon anymore...

[blipsman]

We ended up buying a Tiguan this week... I found a 2011 Tiguan SEL w/ premium navigation at a local VW dealer for $24,990. Exact colors we wanted, all options we wanted and then some (leather seats, panoramic sunroof, prem nav, Bluetooth). Was just 11 months old w/ 17k miles, and original window sticker showed MSRP of $35,354. Had been a VW exec's company car.

[Knight2000]

The little ones generate a lot of baggage. For starters, consider the dimensions of a port-a-crib. It won't be long before you will need to transport one of those in your car. My experience was that it took the entire rear of the Passat wagon plus the split-fold-down that was not occupied by the car seat to carry everything for a family trip with a newborn.

Now, the complication is that VW does not make the Passat wagon anymore...

First of all, congratulations on your Tiguan! I looks awesome. I loved driving those as demos when I had the opportunity. Never had them for long, as they sold rather quick from our dealership.

Secondly, to respond to barryroad -- Who needs a portacrib anymore? Just buy a Pack & Play. They're so much easier, and smaller when folded up and in the nice cover.