Rugged and ready to go

SOMETIMES I really love my job because although the hours can be long and the work often challenging, occasionally I get to test drive cars as delightful as the Tiguan.

The vehicle's classy interior and superb driving dynamics put it on par with just about any luxury car I have ever driven.

It's sporty, compact and above all else, incredibly fun to drive. With many sport utility vehicles (SUVs) the handling can feel a little sluggish, especially when turning corners ... not the Tiguan.

The steering is remarkably light and the controls are very responsive, meaning that the handling of this sporty SUV is in a class of its own. Most compact SUVs tend to skate over rough surfaces, but this SUV remains firmly planted and steady.

One thing that amazes me about this car is just how many features come as standard. Let's starts with the onboard trip computer that lets you control just about anything from time setting to interior lighting, tyre pressure monitoring, mirror synchronisation, exterior headlights and dual AC control.

In fact, the onboard computer system is so high-tech it rivals my ipod, which may become a thing of the past when you factor in that the Tiguan entertainment unit can hold up to 6,000 MP3 files.

The controls are large and well placed and the available navigation system boasts a large screen and a simple to use interface.

Firm, well-shaped seats offer proper support, making even the longest journey a comfortable one.

My favourite feature allows the driver to decide which speakers are used when playing music. For example, if the passenger doesn't share my love for Metallica, no problem, the simple flick of a switch and their speaker is turned off and all the rocking tunes are blasted straight at me through my speaker ... genius!

Since this is a Volkswagen after all, safety is also a big factor and the Tiguan has a lot to boast about. Standard features include antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. The vehicle also has an array of front and rear sensors that make parking easier, (not mention much safer).

Now, for the fun part, off-road driving! Don't let the size of the Tiguan fool you, this is a vehicle made for even the most treacherous terrain and when I say treacherous I don't just mean off road.

As much as I love Bahrain, some of the roads are in a desperate need of repair and when I'm driving over a pothole in my Toyota, it often feels like I'm driving through an earthquake. But the Tiguan is so smooth I barely even noticed some of the Grand Canyon-sized holes that usually shake me. Equipped with Volkswagen's "4Motion" technology, which provides stable handling that reacts quickly and effectively to changing situations the Tiguan is a capable SUV for practically any situation.

With the special BD9,999 offer from Volkswagen, including five years unlimited mileage warranty valid within all GCC countries, three years warranty against paint defects and 12 years warranty against rust perforation, it's definitely worth giving this car some serious consideration.

For more information contact 17459977.