JULES: The rest’s the same?

IAIN: Not quite. As the Allspace was designed with Americans in mind they’ve given it a more truck-like slabby front end above the chrome grille. Not as sleek as a regular Tiguan.

JULES: Still looks gorgeous.

IAIN: Thanks to ours being the range-topping 162TSI Highline, 2,990 before on-roads. It also has VW’s R-Line pack, adding 900 for 20-inch wheels, sportier bumpers, side skirts, rear spoiler and gloss black trim.

THE LIVING SPACE

JULES: It may cost 0,000 but sit inside and it feels like money well spent.

IAIN: True. Entry-level Tiguan Comfortlines feel a bit ordinary with cloth seats but a leather cabin in this range-topper justifies VW’s semi-premium position.

JULES: There are nice flashes of sportiness.

IAIN: Again, that’s the R-Line pack’s Vienna leather with R-Line embroidery, grey stitching on the flat-bottom steering wheel and stainless steel pedals.

Leather trim: Allspace, as tested with R-Line pack, is just shy of 0KSource:Supplied

JULES: The digital dashboard is very Audi-like.

IAIN: Steady. It’s not quite in that league. VW calls it their Active Info Display: a 12.3-inch screen showing your vitals and such things as navigation or audio.

JULES: And that’s standard?

IAIN: Sadly not but for 900 it’s worth it. It’s part of a Sound and Vision pack, including a Dynaudio sound set-up and 360-degree camera.

JULES: There’s Apple CarPlay/Android Auto through the big 9.2-inch touchscreen. Excellent.

IAIN: It all feels really solid and well screwed together. Very few hard plastic bits.

JULES: There’s ambient lighting but it could be a bit brighter.

IAIN: Three USB ports plus two vast storage bins in the roof to house glasses, phones and tablets show it’s been designed with modern family life in mind.

THE COMMUTE

JULES: This is no lazy family SUV — it really shifts.

IAIN: Same engine as the Golf GTI but with 162kW rather than the hot hatch’s 180kW.

JULES: In Sport mode it’s really responsive and makes a lovely roar.

IAIN: Leave it in Normal mode and it’s really tardy to respond.

JULES: I wouldn’t know, I always had it in Sport mode.

It gets along: Tiguan Allspace uses Golf GTI engine with slightly lower outputsSource:Supplied

IAIN: Hence why it drank so much petrol. Turbo diesels are more common for seven-seaters but it’s nice to have the VW’s petrol zest. Still, it takes premium unleaded so you pay for it at the pump.

JULES: Active cruise control made highway cruises easy and it felt really well insulated.

IAIN: It doesn’t feel like a huge SUV. Any bigger and it would feel cumbersome but the Allspace disguises its bulk well.

THE SHOPPING

JULES: The boot in a normal Tiguan isn’t that big but the Allspace’s is a whopper.

IAIN: Keep the third row of seats folded and you get a massive 700L. Even with seven seats up there’s 230L to fit shopping bags, or a set of golf clubs.

JULES: A foot swipe under the rear bumper fires the auto tailgate. Love that.

IAIN: The cargo space needs some sort of rear lip though. I pre-opened the auto tailgate and some shopping rolled out while I watched helplessly. Embarrassing.

SUNDAY RUN

JULES: With this engine, the Allspace doubles as a proper sporty SUV.

IAIN: If I’m being picky it doesn’t feel quite as nimble as the normal Tiguan 162TSI, mainly thanks to the extra 130kg. With all-wheel drive, Sports mode and that willing engine it’s still a talented thing.

THE FAMILY

JULES: The kids get their own tray tables, temperature controls and heated seats in the back. They’re pretty spoiled.

IAIN: You’re not so spoiled if you’re in the third row though. VW doesn’t hide the fact the Allspace is really a 5+2. The third-row seats are small, really upright and not at all comfy for adults.

Strictly a 5+2: Third row is for smaller occupantsSource:Supplied

JULES: They’re fine for smaller kids, plus you can slide the middle seats forward for more space. The two rear seats fold easily with the tug of a strap.

IAIN: Safety kit is top notch, with the full suite in our Highline. The lane assist, which pulls you back into line, is among the best I’ve tested, really subtly making adjustments for you.

JULES: And VW now has a five-year warranty?

IAIN: Yep. Good move there. It makes ownership more reassuring but service charges are still higher than some key competitors.

THE VERDICT

Jules: “It has all the goodies.” Iain: “Up there with the best seven-seaters.”Source:Supplied

JULES: I really enjoyed the Allspace. I know it has all the goodies as the range topper but it feels really premium and sporty to justify its price.

IAIN: It’s ideal to have the choice of five or seven-seat Tiguans. Our family would get by with the former but I’m impressed with the practicality of the Allspace. That and the performance, handling, style and finish means it’s up there with the best seven-seaters.

VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN ALLSPACE 162TSI HIGHLINE WITH R-LINE PACK

Source:Supplied

PRICE 9,590 as tested plus on-roads

WARRANTY/SERVICING 5 years/unlimited km; 758 for 3 years/45,000km

ENGINE 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo, 162kW/350Nm

SAFETY 5 stars, 7 airbags, AEB, rear camera, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian monitor, lane assist, blind spot monitor, side assist with rear traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors

THIRST 8.3L/100km

SPARE Space-saver

BOOT 700L