The 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan is named after a Tiger and Iguana, this might give us some clues on the cars strengths and weaknesses; it is cold blooded, and it does purr, after all. The Tiguan is VW’s first ever compact SUV, conceived and built as a car for the global market, it’s got engineering and features to please people from all corners of the globe.

The Tiguan is built from a mixture of VW’s Golf, Jetta and Passat cars, hopefully taking the most suitable bits from all of them. It also has the GTI’s engine: A 2.0 liter, turbocharged, intercooled and direct injected wunderbar which produces 200 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. This might seem low powered if you compare pure numbers with American compact SUV’s but it fulfils the Tiguans requirements with ease. And it really does purr.

As should be expected with a VW, the suspension and steering were exceptional. The Tiguan takes corners with ease, and handles bumpy uneven surfaces with aplomb. Inside, the car feels comfortable and well built. Surfaces are leather clad or finished in high quality metals and plastics. The included media center will help long drives fly by.

Overall, the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan is a very competent entry into the compact SUV market. VW has learned a lot from their rivals and haven’t skimped or saved on the finer features of the build. All this comes at a slight premium, but it’s worth it if you’ve got the cash spare.