New special-edition Volkswagen Tiguan SUV brings darker styling and appealing price at the expense of some safety systems and creature comforts
- How much does the Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition cost?
- What equipment comes with the Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition?
- How safe is the Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition?
- What technology does the Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition feature?
- What powers the Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition?
- How fuel efficient is the Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition?
- What is the Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition like to drive?
- Can the Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition go off-road?
- What is the Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition like inside?
- Should I buy a Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition?
The Volkswagen Tiguan mid-size SUV range continues to expand in 2023, with the release of new variants, performance derivatives and varying seating layouts. Among the new proponents, at least temporarily, is the limited-edition Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition. Available in regular Tiguan and longer Tiguan Allspace guise, the Monochrome Edition is essentially an exercise in styling and clever pricing, distinguished by black cosmetic treatments and a discerning sub-$60,000 starting price. However, it misses out on some gear in order to achieve the brief.
How much does the Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition cost?
The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition starts at $53,390 plus on-road costs in regular five-seat Tiguan form, moving up to $55,690 plus ORCs for the flexible seven-seat Tiguan Allspace version tested here.
At those prices, the Tiguan Monochrome essentially pares back $4400 on the sticker price of the permanent Tiguan 162TSI R-Line models ($57,790 and $60,290 respectively) on which they’re based – due to reduced levels of equipment which we’ll detail in the next section.
Comparatively, the Monochrome sits in the middle of the overall Tiguan and Tiguan Allspace ranges, about $11,000 upstream of the most affordable 110TSI Life models.
The Monochrome escapes recent price increases applied to the rest of the Tiguan line-up for the 2023 model year.
What equipment comes with the Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition?
Mirroring the thinking employed by Volkswagen Australia with the larger Touareg Monochrome Edition a few years ago, the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition positions itself as a mid-level Tiguan grade with black styling elements inside and out.
That means buyers miss out on leather-upholstered seats with heating up front (and rear outboard heated seats for Allspace), electric seat adjustment, heated steering wheel, electric tailgate and premium LED tail-lights – items offered standard in the flagship Tiguan 162TSI R-Line grades.
The infotainment system is also smaller in size and the Monochrome misses out on safety gear on account of ongoing semi-conductor shortages (see the safety section below).
What you do get is 19-inch Valencia gloss black alloy wheels, dark tinted rear windows, a black exterior styling package, manually adjustable cloth R-Line seats with ArtVelour inserts, keyless entry (front doors only) and start, LED headlights and tail-lights plus tri-zone climate control.
Metallic paint that usually costs extra is offered standard too. There are three colours available – in the monochrome tones of black, grey and silver – while a ‘three-coat’ pearlescent Oryx White adds $900.
A panoramic glass sunroof is also a $2100 option.
The Tiguan Monochrome Edition is backed by Volkswagen’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, with servicing scheduled every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
Volkswagen offers a choice of three-year and five-year fixed-price servicing plans available at the point of purchase. Three years will set buyers back $1350, while five years costs $2300.
How safe is the Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition?
The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition offers seven airbags and basic safety equipment such as electronic stability control (ESC) and anti-lock brakes, plus tyre pressure monitoring.
Like all current Tiguan models, the Monochrome does not carry an ANCAP safety rating. The Tiguan lost its five-star status at the end of last year because the rating was based on testing protocols in 2016, which are long outdated.
The Monochrome also misses out on some features from VW’s IQ. Drive safety suite that are fitted to the Tiguan 162TSI R-Line.
These include blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and a proactive occupant protection system.
That said, you’re still getting high- and low-speed autonomous emergency braking (AEB) including low-speed AEB in reverse, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors and a single reversing camera (though no overhead, 360-degree option).
What technology does the Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition feature?
The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition trades the flagship Tiguan’s usual 9.2-inch Discover Pro central touch-screen for a slightly smaller 8.0-inch display.
The unit still offers digital radio, an eight-speaker audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto, sat-nav plus wireless phone charging. There are two USB-C charging outlets up front.
The smaller touch-screen display has the advantage of a physical volume knob, which is a small win for on-the-move practicality.
A digital display occupies the instrument cluster, as with other higher-specification Tiguan grades.
What powers the Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition?
Doing duty under the bonnet of the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition is VW’s ubiquitous 162TSI engine – a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine producing 162kW and 350Nm.
Volkswagen claims a 0-100km/h time of 6.8 seconds.
For reference, it’s the same engine that powers the prodigious Golf GTI, not to mention a slew of other Volkswagen, Skoda and Cupra products.
The Monochrome Edition features all-wheel drive, which is shuffled via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Within that 4MOTION suite is a hill descent control function and an electronic differential lock.
The Tiguan Allspace rides on a MacPherson strut front and four-link rear suspension.
How fuel efficient is the Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition?
Officially, the EA888 turbo-petrol engine in the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Monochrome Edition advertises a fuel consumption rating of 8.6L/100km, and the good news is that figure is largely achievable in everyday conveyance.
In fact, across a 350km run, we averaged 7.9L/100km with a mix of conditions.
This theoretically provides an official range of about 800km when you take into account its 60-litre fuel tank.
One thing to keep in mind is that the Tiguan requires 95 RON premium unleaded petrol.
What is the Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition like to drive?
No surprises here: the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Monochrome Edition drives like any other Tiguan.
It feels polished and well acquitted across a multitude of different duties, be that the school run or a rugged back road.
The driving experience is initially beset with some driveline hesitation upon pulling away from a standstill, a symptom of the dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Beyond that point, however, progress from the engine is both is tractable and smooth with expedient, clinical gear shifts and inherent refinement from the entire drivetrain and its underlying electronic software.
With ample torque on tap, the engine naturally settles into a low-to-mid-range cadence. But it will happily flex its muscles climbing into the higher reaches of the rev range, pulling strongly to the circa-6500rpm cut-out.
Articulate, well-weighted steering and thoughtful tuning of the key controls endow the Tiguan Allspace Monochrome Edition with a true Euro feel on the road.
It is also a vehicle that is incredibly easy to place in tight spaces, inner-city driving and car parks, thanks to its relatively compact footprint and 11.9-metre turning circle.
There’s a sporty premise to the ride and handling, with the occasional thud on 19-inch wheels, but for the most part the cabin is settled and takes the edge off small-amplitude imperfections and larger washouts alike.
The cabin is well insulated from the outside elements, a redeeming feature on longer journeys.
Even with a larger rear overhang, the Allspace Monochrome holds its own commendably on a rugged country road, too. The 2791mm wheelbase equates to great on-road purchase, and the car’s relatively lightweight 1.8-tonne kerb weight and manageable size (for a seven-seater) means it’s easy to place in the lane.
Does the Tiguan Allspace Monochrome Edition miss the safety equipment of its peers on-road? In truth, not really.
A large open glasshouse means outward vision isn’t a problem, partly mitigating the absence of blind spot monitoring, and it feels safe and planted in all scenarios.
Can the Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition go off-road?
With a 186mm minimum ground clearance, we’d say the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Monochrome Edition can safely venture onto gravel surfaces and the occasional fire trail, but nothing more.
Moreover, it relies on a space-saver spare tyre rather than full-size.
What is the Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition like inside?
The Mexican-built 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Monochrome Edition ably juggles comfort and practicality inside the cabin.
The cloth/suede-lined seats are comfortable, there’s ample incidental storage and it belies its 4734mm length with the amount of interior space on offer.
In fact, compared to the standard-wheelbase five-seater Volkswagen Tiguan, the Allspace measures 4734mm long (+220mm) and has a much longer rear overhang (+106mm) to accommodate the third row.
Inside, that translates to an additional 85 litres in boot space (700L overall), while dropping the second row liberates 1775L in the longer-wheelbase version (+110L). With the third row in place, there’s 230L on offer.
The translation is a vehicle that is well suited to a family of three or four. The first and second rows are generous with their layouts, with ample legroom, headroom and knee-room, air-vent access and an open glasshouse to create an airy cabin environment.
The third row is better for occasional use only, with a narrow thoroughfare and limited space (though we do admire the full airbag coverage in the third row and large second-row door apertures).
There are two ISOFIX attachment points in the middle-row outboard seats, and three top-tether points. There are no such fitments in the bleachers, reinforcing their occasional use.
Quality materials adorn the contact points in the first and second rows, but out-of-sight plastics do employ cheaper materials – in line with the Tiguan’s price.
We actually prefer the smaller 8.0-inch infotainment display where road-going practicality is concerned, thanks to the retention of a physical volume knob (the larger 9.2-inch unit goes without).
Similarly, the bank of climate control switches and dials underneath in the lower centre fascia is easily accessed and much more practical than some of VW’s other models.
All in all, this is a polished and well-executed family SUV inside.
Should I buy a Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition?
It comes down to personal preference. The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition does trade some comfort and safety features for the stylish brief.
In isolation, however, it’s an appealing execution of VW’s evergreen Tiguan Allspace model.
So long as you don’t mind going without heated seats.
2023 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 162TSI Monochrome Edition at a glance:
Price: $55,690 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 162kW/350Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 8.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 197g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2016, expired)
Keyword: Volkswagen Tiguan Monochrome Edition 2023 Review