The GTI of SUVs???

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That’s how Vw will try to sell the Tiguan in the US.
With the worst dollar/Euro exchange rate ever, the base FWD manual Tiguan end up being almost $24 000 in the US.
Compare this to $20 700 for a base FWD CRV
Or $ 21 250 for a base Rav 4.

Sure, the VW has more power than the base versions of the other guys. But $3000 to $4000 is quite a bit of money.

So you have to try to find a way to justify it. You can bet the VW won’t be more reliable or get a better resale than the Toyota or the Honda.
So what?
Make people think they are buying a bargain German SUV (which they are).

Will this work?

What do you think???

Conversation 13 comments

  1. Only people who are concerned with status and don’t know anything about cars would actually buy that overpriced tank. Compare a loaded model to the specs to a V6 Rav4, the new Forester, even a new Murano (more space, power, speed, reliability, comfort…same money).

  2. actually, VWs benefit from some of the highest resale values of any manufacturers. also, i am glad that the tiguan has an actual name (like the forester and unlike the CR-V and RAV4) and a manual transmission, but not so happy about that garish front overhang

    i would still buy it though, it looks like it has an airy interior and is not too girly

  3. Burlapp, I drove this “tank” and it felt like one.
    It was very solid compared to the “other guys” and
    I feel that VW was able to balance safety and style to the highest level possible.
    I think it is time to knock off the Ford games with VW
    since they are just as reliable as the multi-recalled Honda (engine fires) and Toyota (Tranny problems).
    However, I do understand your concern with price
    and overtime the price should balance out with the US economy when the dollar catches us with the euro…hopefully with a better president…President Burlapp.

  4. This is a really nice vehicle. It will be priced way higher than it’s competion. I’m afraid I have’nt been following this vehicle at all……does anyone know what the engine and transmission will be?

  5. Yes, a third rate Ford product seemingly onto it’s 467th facelift, and derived from an outmoded mid 90’s Mazda platform is definitely superior to a brand new German SUV derived from one of the world’s best selling cars.

    If the Escape is still as utterly dreadful as it was when it was offered in the UK as the Maverick II it’d have to be way cheaper than $18,000 before anyone with an ounce of sense would buy it in preference to the Tiguan.

  6. 9:31 -I can never understand your comments.
    You need to see your 3rd grade teacher and a shrink.

    10:45- I am not sure if you left out the word “not”
    when comparing a Ford to a VW..third line from the top.

    Yes, a third rate Ford product seemingly onto it’s 467th facelift, and derived from an outmoded mid 90’s Mazda platform is definitely NOT superior to a brand new German SUV derived from one of the world’s best selling cars.

  7. I was trying to point out just how utterly ludicrous Douchebag’s assertion that the Escape is “superior in every way” to the Tiguan is, by contrasting the Escape’s rather less than stellar lineage with the Tiguan’s.

  8. I like this. Both the CRV and Rav4 are totally geeky, and you can bet that the VW will be a better drivers car with a better interior. This could be a huge hit for VW.

  9. BASE model will start at $24,000?!? You have got to be kidding. No one is going to purchase a manual compact SUV (manual CR-V sales accounted for less than 6%). Tack on another $800+ for an automatic and you are close to $25,000 for a BASE model Tiguan with FWD.

    The CR-V is currently the best selling SUV in the US and it certainly doesn’t have an abundance of power, showing consumers do not care about power. The V6 RAV4 is not their high volume seller, the four cylinder is. Consumers care about ease of use, reliability (something VW can only dream of), and resale value. I don’t know who said VW has some of the best resale values in the industry. Compare a five year old Civic to a five year old Jetta. Get real.

    VW is going to crash and burn in the American market. The VR6 Passat starts at $36,000. Anyone who buys one is one of the most uneducated consumers I will ever come across.

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