In 2023, it is noteworthy that the most affordable brand new Volkswagen available for purchase is surprisingly an SUV. This occurrence was rather uncommon within the automotive industry due to the substantial size of SUVs, requiring additional materials for their construction. Specifically, we are referring to the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Life variant.
To provide a brief overview, the Tiguan Allspace is offered in three different versions: Life, Elegance, and R-Line. Recently, I have already reviewed the updated R-Line model. Therefore, this time, I will delve into a closer examination of the Tiguan Allspace Life, the most economical option within the Tiguan Allspace lineup. 
Despite being the most affordable Tiguan Allspace variant, it’s difficult to discern its price tag from its exterior appearance. The Tiguan Life retains a luxurious look as it boasts full LED lighting both at the front and rear of the SUV. Enhancing its upscale appeal, the turn signals located at the front and rear of the vehicle are designed as sequential indicators. Additionally, similar to all other Tiguan models available in Malaysia, it features a lightbar that elegantly connects the headlights. 
Other than that, the Tiguan Allspace Life features a more understated front and rear bumper design compared to the R-Line variant, but it maintains a stylish and attractive appearance. Along the vehicle’s side, you’ll notice the “Allspace” lettering located beneath the wing mirror, which sets it apart from the R-Line model that sports the R-Line logo in the same spot. The Tiguan Allspace Life is equipped with the same 18-inch ‘Frankfrut’ rims as the Tiguan Allspace Elegance, providing a touch of elegance. These rims are complemented by 235/55 R18 tires, enhancing cabin comfort and ensuring a smooth ride. 
Volkswagen strives to replicate the high-end model’s interior experience in the Tiguan Allspace Life. The cabin features a familiar layout, retaining all the crucial elements. Moreover, the Tiguan Allspace Life shares the digital instrument cluster and Discover Pro infotainment screen with the R-Line Tiguan. Notably, the Discover Pro infotainment screen boasts gesture controls, along with wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay functionalities, mirroring the offerings found in the Tiguan R-Line.
Even with the Discover Pro infotainment system, it is still connected to a simpler 6-speaker sound system in the Tiguan Allspace Life. As a result, you regain the storage compartment on top of the dashboard. Additionally, the Tiguan Allspace Life shares the triple zone climate controls found in the higher-end Tiguan Allspace models. However, to accommodate cost-cutting measures, the heated and ventilated seat function is not included in the Tiguan Allspace Life. Nevertheless, this omission is unlikely to deter Malaysian car buyers. 
The emphasis on cost reduction is apparent on the seats of the Tiguan Allspace Life, which features cloth upholstery. Although this choice detracts somewhat from its luxurious ambiance, the cloth seats offer a pleasantly soft and comfortable experience. Personally, I appreciate the seat’s softness, which also prevents heat retention when exposed to the scorching sun. Apart from that, the Tiguan Allspace Life retains the practicality found in other variants of the Tiguan Allspace, providing ample space for owners to transport passengers or items. 
Under the hood, the Tiguan Allspace Life boasts a 1.4L TSi engine, a tried and tested powertrain also found in the regular Tiguan. Paired with a reliable 6-speed dual-clutch transmission, this combination ensures a dependable performance. While the power is delivered exclusively to the front wheels, the absence of all-wheel drive does not detract from its capabilities. This powertrain has a total output of 150PS at 5,000 – 6,000rpm, a torque of 250Nm at 1,500-3,500rpm, an acceleration time from 0 to 100km/h in 9.5 seconds, and a top speed of 200 km/h. 
With a massive vehicle housing such a diminutive engine, certain characteristics of the engine become more apparent. First and foremost, I observe that it takes approximately 1 or 2 seconds for the engine to respond when the throttle is engaged. Considering the presence of turbo lag, one might need to anticipate and react even earlier, particularly when exiting a busy junction. However, once the vehicle is in motion, this engine manages to keep up with traffic effortlessly, even on inclines. As for the transmission, the 6-speed dual clutch system shifts gears seamlessly. Nevertheless, due to its limited 6 ratios, the engine’s efficiency does suffer slightly during acceleration or cruising.
Regarding the handling, Volkswagen vehicles excel with their superb steering setup. The steering wheel offers direct responsiveness, instilling the driver with confidence to maneuver through corners. However, in terms of tactile feedback, I perceive the steering wheel to be slightly over-assisted. While this feature enhances ease of driving at lower speeds, it compromises the ability to discern the precise actions of the front wheels.
In regards to the ride quality, the Tiguan Allspace Life delivers an exceptionally smooth experience without sacrificing stability on highways. This plushness stems not only from the supple suspension but also from the taller tires, effectively absorbing road imperfections. Consequently, due to the softer suspension, the Tiguan Allspace Life exhibits noticeable body roll when navigating corners.
The large SUV exhibits impressive braking capabilities with its 4-wheel disc brakes, ensuring effective deceleration. The brake pedal offers excellent feedback, enabling the driver to finely control the brakes with precision. While one may not anticipate an abundance of advanced driver assistance features in a European SUV within this price range, Volkswagen pleasantly surprises by equipping the Tiguan Allspace Life with Lane Keep Assist, elevating its overall value. Notable safety and driver assistance systems present in this model include six airbags, a Driver Alert System, and Lane Assist, a lane-keeping system.
As the most affordable German SUV available in Malaysia, the RM 160,590.00 price tag of this vehicle is undoubtedly a worthy investment. Despite its competitive price, it boasts all the essential features to ensure a modern SUV experience. Furthermore, its appearance exudes a sense of elegance and sophistication, effortlessly standing out even when parked alongside other 7-seater SUVs in the market. Remarkably, owning this vehicle never feels like settling for a cheaper option, even at this price point.
Check out full photo album here. 
