The new Volkswagen Tiguan is a well-rounded family SUV that excels in several key areas and its stylish design, comfortable and tech-heavy interior make it a compelling option in its segment.

It's good job too, as the Tiguan is one of Volkswagen strongest sellers in the UK, both in the fleet and private markets, only outsold by the Golf and the Polo.

Last year the Tiguan accounted for 25,000 of VW UK's 162,000 new car registrations, so the success of this new car is vital.

Customers will find that the new Tiguan, which reached showrooms last month, delivers a blend of practicality, upmarket interior and advanced features. This is is a strong contender in the competitive compact SUV market.

It’s the second Volkswagen, after the new Passat, to be built on the latest MQB evo platform that enables new features and technology to be incorporated. And in time the Tiguan badge will feature on a fully electric SUV.

The model range kicks off with the base Tiguan, priced from £34,075, which is only available with a 130PS 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine. The walk up then goes to Tiguan Life, followed by Match and Elegance trims, which offer a variety of powertrains, including a more powerful 150PS turbo petrol, a 150PS turbodiesel and a 204PS plug-in hybrid (PHEV) which joins the range shortly.

Impressively, the PHEV offers up to 77 miles zero emission motoring (WLTP) from a fully charged battery, so the low CO2 emissions and daily running costs should be a huge appeal to corporate customers and suburban families.

There'll also be a higher powered PHEV with 272 PS that's exclusively offered with the range-topping Tiguan R Line. 

All models have VW's DSG automatic transmission which helps give a relaxing drive, but can get sporty when required.

Taking inspiration from VW’s ID range of electric cars, the Tiguan is now more aerodynamic and therefore more efficient.

It offers a similar level of space, having grown by 30mm in length but retaining the same width and height. As a car designed primarily for families, it has a spacious and airy interior and a large boot. Its luggage space has grown by 37 litres, to 657 litres (exceot for PHEV versions which have 490 litre boot space.

The front seats are supportive and comfortable, with available options for heating, ventilation, and power adjustments. The rear seats offer plenty of space, and the sliding and reclining functions add to the flexibility and comfort.

The centrepiece of the dashboard is the updated infotainment system, featuring a high-resolution 12.9in touchscreen and an easy to use interface, plus some shortcut buttons for features in regular use.

Standard features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, while higher trims offer wireless smartphone integration, a premium sound system, and an even larger touchscreen.

The digital cockpit display allows the driver to customise the driving information they wish to see. In some models, a head-up display adds another layer of convenience, allowing drivers to keep their eyes on the road while accessing vital data.

Safety is a priority in the Tiguan, with a comprehensive suite of standard and available driver-assistance features. Standard safety technologies include automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, reversing camera and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims offer additional features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera system.

Volkswagen UK director Rod McLeod said: "The keenly anticipated new Tiguan is a major development for Volkswagen in the UK. Our signature SUV, now in its third generation, is styled, engineered and equipped to retain its rightful place among our most popular models. Tiguan is a mainstay of the Volkswagen range and today’s car is nothing short of our most compelling and complete mid-sized SUV to date."