Sydney, November - Drive has once again named the Tiguan 110TSI Trendline as its Best Small SUV for the second consecutive year.
Conducted by the Drive Network, the annual Car of the Year awards recognises the best cars on sale in Australia, based on a range of popular vehicle categories.
Returning to the field as the outright winner of Drive's 2016 Car of the Year program, Volkswagen's Tiguan impressed the judges once again with its cabin refinement, long list of standard features and 110kW turbocharged engine.
Writing on behalf of the Drive judging panel, Editor In Chief, Andrew MacLean, described the gauntlet laid out for the returning champion.
"It would take a lot to dethrone the Tiguan from its position as the Best Small SUV category champion.
And while this category was one of the closest in the 2017 Drive Car of the Awards competition, the Volkswagen retains its crown, garnering four first place votes from the judging panel," MacLean wrote.
"More than just its practical elements, the Tiguan's dynamic attributes stood out with surefooted handling through the simulated emergency exercises and a nice balance between control and compliance in terms of its everyday on-road manners," MacLean continued.
Speaking on behalf of the team at Volkswagen Australia, Managing Director Michael Bartsch was thrilled the Tiguan had retained its crown.
"It's one thing to win a premiership, but it's entirely another to defend one. For our Tiguan to once again be named as the best of the best in such a fiercely-fought segment is testament to the work of our engineers and local product teams," Mr. Bartsch said.
"To have the Tiguan recognised by such an esteemed cohort of judges for a second consecutive year is a real coup. I thank the team at Drive for the award and for their diligence," Mr. Bartsch concluded.
The global award-winning Tiguan continues to delight Australian customers with a range of petrol and diesel engine models and grades available. Like all Volkswagens, the Tiguan comes with a three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty with roadside assistance, and the cost transparency of Volkswagen Genuine Servicing.