WHEN you think of Volkswagen, you think of Golf. The legendary family hatch has been the German brand’s best performer in the UK for years, pursued by the smaller Polo. But in third place is the Tiguan, an unsung hero of Wolfsburg’s expansive range.

The latest generation of this compact SUV is based on the MQB platform that forms the foundation of the Golf, Touran and Passat, as well as other VW Group cars from Seat and Skoda. It’s been upgraded visually and borrows in-car tech from Audi, making the Tiguan’s interior one of the most up-to-date in its sector. All of this is an improvement on the already-excellent Tiguan, which had just begun to feel slightly dated.

The Tiguan’s chiselled, Germanic features set it apart from more fluid-looking rivals. It’s a handsome car and has more road presence than the outgoing generation, which didn’t benefit from Volkswagen’s current design language. Short overhangs at the front and rear are hugely beneficial off-road and add to the chunky, utilitarian aesthetic of this fundamentally road-orientated car.

There's a choice between two and four-wheel drive and all seven engines are more powerful and more fuel-efficient than comparable ones in the previous model. Diesel engines are expected to account for 90 per cent of sales.

Volkswagen’s image was undeniably dented by its emissions scandal, but that’s unlikely to put buyers off. The VW badge is still an upmarket – if conventional – choice.

There’s more head room in the Tiguan than before, and rear seat passengers now benefit from 29mm more knee room.

The boot can theoretically hold more than 600 litres of luggage, depending on the exact position of the adjustable rear seats. Those rear seats can be adjusted or folded down to provide 1,655 litres of space.

Volkswagen has lengthened the wheelbase of the Tiguan, making it slightly more comfortable. The Tiguan is also a few pounds lighter, with clever weight savings mitigating the added weight of all the new convenience and safety tech. Noticeably light steering suggests that the Tiguan has been optimised for urban and suburban driving.

Buyers of the 4x4 Tiguan will be pleasantly surprised at how adept their new car is at handling quite serious off-road challenges. It will never compare with a Range Rover but the ground clearance, four-wheel-drive system and short overhangs combine to make an unnecessarily good utility vehicle. External cameras situated around the vehicle can be used to help visualise difficult terrain from the comfort of the cab, too.

An advanced infotainment system is available on the Tiguan. The instrument binnacle is digital, visually emulating a conventional speedometer and rev counter but with much more flexibility. For instance, the driver can choose to display Google Maps, including satellite imagery. A head-up display, showing the car’s current speed in comparison to the prevailing speed limit, is another driver-orientated safety improvement.

Available in five trim levels - S, SE, SE Navigation, SEL and R-Line - all models are well equipped.

The 2.0 TDI diesel tested here is likely to find most homes, particularly when matched with the tech-laden SE Navigation trim. However, you will still need to fork out £495 for the head-up display and £585 for the 12.3-inch TFT dash display screen.

Volkswagen occupies a different market position to key rivals. The Qashqai, which continues to outsell its opposition quite convincingly, is an excellent car but has a cheaper image. Similarly, offerings from Kia and Hyundai are very competent choices, but lack badge appeal. Yet the Tiguan isn’t as posh as the Evoque or Discovery Sport - it's somewhere in between.

The Tiguan is an expensive choice, carefully positioned above most of its real competitors. But with its technology, safety features and eye-catching looks it makes a great choice for well-heeled buyers who want the reassurance of the brand.