Barely more than one new car sold in France out of… fourteen now runs on diesel! An impressive decline after the “all diesel” wave of the 2000s and 2010s. However, a hard core of models remains at Volkswagen on the SUV and estate side: let’s see their arguments.
Slowly but surely, the diesel flame goes out. Essential ten years ago (63.9% of registrations in 2014), it fell below… 8% over the first four months of 2024: 7.6% market share
very exactly! Hybrids are now at the top of the bill ahead of gasoline engines. So, the party is over? Not quite. Because if some brands have abandoned “fuel oil” for a few months, even a few years, others continue to offer it. Despite the shock of dieselgate, Volkswagen still maintains a wide offer, including the latest new products.
The Volkswagen Tiguan is its 150 hp 2L TDI
The Tiguan 3 has grown, and not just in size: its price, already steep, has increased further, so much so that it is now priced at prices worthy of premium models in the category! In this diesel version, it ensures good performance while controlling its appetite. The Volkswagen SUV, however, has no sporting pretensions, with steering that is a little too hard and a chassis that lacks dynamism. Which could be forgiven if the suspensions were soft, which isn’t really the case. The Tiguan is forgiven with its spacious interior, its huge trunk and its beautiful modularity (sliding bench seat as standard, modular floor). However, the careful finish and complete equipment (Park Assist, hands-free key, panoramic roof, matrix headlights, etc.) are not enough to make us forget the soaring prices…
OUR MEASURES
4-cylinder in-line turbodiesel engine, 16S
Maximum torque 360 Nm at 1600 rpm
CO2/Malus 143 g/km/+ 2056 €
(1)
Transmission To the front wheels
Acceleration 1000 m DA 31s6 ❚
Resumptions 80 to 120 km/h in Drive 6s6 ❚
Average consumption 5.9 l/100 km ❚
Highway/Highway/City 5.7/5.6/6.4 l/100 km ❚
Autonomy 932 km ❚
Trunk volume
(2) From 590 to 730 dm3 ❚
Sun. LxWxH, in m 4.54 x 1.86 x 1.66
The T-Roc shares the same block as the Tiguan… But in 4Motion!
The T-Roc is celebrating its 7th anniversary… and this is starting to show in terms of looks, especially since the 2022 restyling was very light. This at least made it possible to improve the finish, a major weak point of the model at its launch. Because the T-Roc is not stingy in terms of qualities: equipped with an efficient chassis, it is spacious and comfortable, and it is one of the last city SUVs to still be offered in diesel. Only a “big” 2.0 TDI 150 hp block appears in the catalog, only with the DSG7 automatic gearbox and, with a choice of two or four-wheel drive (another originality in the category). In 4Motion version, the T-Roc TDI reveals remarkable versatility, with
very good level performance, smooth operation and perfect traction in all conditions. But despite generous discounts (17%!), it remains expensive…
OUR MEASURES
4-cylinder in-line turbodiesel engine, 16S
Maximum torque 340 Nm at 1750 rpm
CO2/Malus 146 g/km/+ 1629 €
Transmission 4×4
Acceleration 1000 m DA 30s8 ❚
Resumptions 80 to 120 km/h in Drive 6s4 ❚
Average consumption 6.8 l/100 km ❚
Highway/Highway/City 6.5/6.9/6.8 l/100 km ❚
Autonomy 808 km ❚
Trunk volume 441 dm3 ❚
Sun. LxWxH, in m 4.24 x 1.82 x 1.58
Volkswagen Passat: two diesel engines
Finish the sedans: the new Passat only exists in this (very) large station wagon, lengthened by 15 cm compared to its predecessor. The habitability, unchanged, remains excellent, while the trunk now reaches 720 dm3 (639 previously)! Largely “digitized”, the dashboard appears rewarding and rather well finished, but the interfaces lack clarity. In addition to gasoline and plug-in hybrids, the Passat still offers two 2.0 TDIs of 122 and 150 hp. The latter, rather well educated, shows good will and displays a contained appetite (5 l/100 km on the motorway). This makes you want to devour the kilometers, an area where the Passat excels thanks to its rather agile road behavior, without comfort suffering. Finally, this R-Line finish takes care of its equipment (semi-autonomous driving, panoramic roof, etc.). But at what cost!
OUR MEASURES
4-cylinder in-line turbodiesel engine, 16S
Maximum torque 360 Nm at 1600 rpm
CO2/Malus 136 g/km/+ 1440 €
(1)
Transmission To the front wheels
Acceleration 1000 m DA 31s4 ❚
Resumptions 80 to 120 km/h in Drive 6s5 ❚
Average consumption 5.6 l/100 km ❚
Highway/Highway/City 5.5/5/6.4 l/100 km ❚
Autonomy 1178 km ❚
Trunk volume 720 dm3 ❚
Sun. LxWxH, in m 4.92 x 1.85 x 1.50
Source: www.autoplus.fr
