EDITOR'S PICKS - SUVs for Tightly Knit Families

There is a saying that a family that plays together, sticks together… or was that - eats together, sticks together? While food is one of my favourite times of the day (encompassing breakfast, lunch, dinner and meals in-between).

While practicing “yummy yummy get in my tummy” might be one of the best pastimes we all get to enjoy with those close to us, the other is the importance of being a “Tightly Knit” family.

Many have extolled the virtues of owning an SUV as the go-to vehicle for the family. From exuding a go-anywhere attitude, the added utility room for loading up almost anything you’d like to bring to the beach, and even the family pet; to its better on-road visibility.

Volkswagen knows the virtues of being a Tightly Knit family, with two ‘T’s in its stable and two ‘K’s from its sister company, Skoda.

The Touareg is Volkswagen’s most luxurious offering. Size, body styling, equipment and build quality clearly defines Volkswagen’s flagship car; which easily rivals middle-of-the-pack luxury brand SUVs, but without being as hefty on the wallet.

Up in front, a smooth-spinning turbocharged 3.0 V6 delivers an impressive 340ps and 450Nm, ensuring acceleration to 100km/h in a mere 5.9 seconds.

Volkswagen’s 4-MOTION permanent all-wheel drive system puts power to the wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission. The system is able to transfer up to 70% of its drive to the front and 80% to the rear, when required to do so, for sure-footed off-roading. Ride comfort is further enhanced by a self-levelling air suspension, which also provides added stability at higher speeds by lowering itself by between 15mm to 25mm.

A spacious interior, houses occupants in comfort, with plenty of legroom for three rear-seat passengers. Glass inserts and dash panel materials add a touch of luxury, while a large electric sunroof, coupled with plenty of window surface area, and subtle interior lighting ensures a well-lit cabin.

A customisable digitised instrument cluster delivers information to the driver, and is complemented by a windscreen-projected Head-up Display. In a near-seamless assembly, the Discover Premium system is fronted by Volkswagen’s largest touch screen yet. At 15 inches, the system incorporates air-conditioning toggles, ambient lighting adjustments, drive mode customisation, mobile device connectivity and the all-important Sat-Nav. Operation is highly intuitive, with touch-hold-select and swiping functions including gesture control. Cargo room is generous with 810 litres available, and foldable rear seats which can slide forward, adds to added flexibility.

Opting for the top-of-the-range R-line model adds four-wheel steering for improved maneuverability, while the added comfort from air-conditioned seats with massage are also part of the package. The air suspension also can be lowered by 40mm at the rear for easier loading and unloading.

3.0 Elegance: $284,900
3.0 Atmosphere: $284,900
3.0 R-Line: 316,900

Book a test drive with Volkswagen!

It is no secret that the Kodiaq has gained popularity here in Singapore. Strikingly distinctive exterior styling, meets sensible practicality.

The Czechs seem to have a way with sensibility. For one, the Kodiaq features an additional +2 seats at the rear which stow neatly away when not in use, and legroom room for front and middle row passengers is generous.

Open the doors and look again, you might just miss them. The Kodiaq is also equipped with nifty mechanically actuated door guards!

Their range-topping car utilises a premium Columbus 3D navigation system, and benefits from a wide 9.2” touch display, which is easy to navigate, and also includes a 10-speaker Canton Sound System, inclusive of a subwoofer in the boot.

Large storage areas line the Kodiaq’s interior, from cubby holes to covered compartments, and there are even umbrella storage slots within the door cards, with their own drainage. Speaking about space, the Kodiaq offers a lovely 630 litres of cargo room with the last row of seats folded flat, and with the middle row down, capacity goes all the way up to a generous 2,005 litres!

The Kodiaq is available with a 1.4 litre TSI engine which delivers 150ps and 250Nm. Mated to a quick-shifting 6-speed dual-clutch transmission, and delivers an impressive 14.1km/l combined cycle.

For those who are keen on going full-on “Bear Mode”, the Kodiaq is also available with a 2.0 turbocharged engine, which delivers 180ps and 320Nm; this time, powering all four wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

All Kodiaq cars are equipped with Park Assist, making parking a breeze.

The upmarket Laurin & Klement trim, brings added comfort and luxury with leather trim and electric memory front seats to the 2.0 model.

No-wonder the Kodiaq got awarded the title of Oneshift’s Car of the Year back in 2018!

1.4 TSI Ambition Plus: $136,900
1.4 TSI Sportline: $151,900
2.0 TSI Style: $157,900
2.0 TSI Laurin & Klement: $164,900

Book a test drive with Skoda!

Volkswagen’s compact Tiguan SUV is styled with smart clean lines and even with its compact dimensions, strikes a commanding road presence. The Comfortline trim Tiguan is powered by a 1.4 litre turbocharged engine, which delivers an impressive 150ps.

A maximum 250Nm of torque is plenty to go around, especially when carrying heavier loads.

An accurately assembled interior, with quality trim easily sets the Tiguan apart from other brands. Legroom, thanks to the generous 2,677mm wheelbase is impressive, especially for passengers at the rear. Boot space at the rear at 615 litres is actually far more than some SUVs a segment higher. Fold the 40:20:40 style rear seats flat, and cargo room expands to 1,655 litres.

For those who love cars that can perform, the Tiguan R-line is powered by Volkswagen’s proven 2.0 turbocharged engine, pushing out 220ps and 350Nm. And how about this… the Tiguan R-Line delivers a very impressive 6.5 second 0-100km/h sprint, almost identical to their Golf GTi! While both Tiguan models are built upon Volkswagen’s rigid MQB architecture, the 2.0 model also features 4-MOTION permanent all-wheel drive technology, ensuring even better on-road stability, with the ability to take the Tiguan down paths less trodden.

In the driver’s seat, the R-Line Tiguan is equipped with a fully Active Info Display digitised instrument cluster, which adds to greater flexibility in displaying information.

The R-Line also benefits further with driver profile selection, electronically adjustable front seats with memory function and larger 19” rims. Assisting in the drive, Area View (all-around camera system that provides a bird’s-eye view of the area around the Tiguan) and Adaptive Cruise Control is truly an ideal feature, especially on more crowded Singapore roads.

1.4 TSI Comfortline EQP: $144,900
2.0 TSI R-Line: $185,900

Book a test drive with Volkswagen!

From its impressive and lively 1.5 litre turbocharged 150ps engine, which delivers 250Nm of twist, to its cylinder deactivation technology, this four cylinder engine shuts off cylinders 2 and 3 during cruise, essentially functioning like a 2 cylinder on lighter loads. The Skoda Karoq not only delivers an impressive 17.2km/l, but drives smooth enough, without you even noticing all that internal combustion wizardry.

The Ambition trim model is equipped with sensible 17” alloys. Mobile connectivity is provided through Smartlink, and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

For those who need more flexibility when it comes to cargo space, the Skoda Karoq Style trim features the brand’s innovative and versatile VarioFlex Seat System, where the rear seats can be individually removed from the car; freeing up space, and expanding cargo room from 588 litres, all the way up to 1,810 litres. Thoughtful touches, like belt clips, moulded into the plastic panels beside the rear seat, also ensures that the seat belts stay out of the way when you need to load the car up.

1.5 TSI Ambition: $112,900
1.5 TSI Style: $124,900

Book a test drive with Skoda!

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