One of the things I really appreciate about SUVs is the higher seating position, which means great all-round visibility.

On the flipside, fuel economy is much lower than in C-Segment cars. Our previous Volkswagen (the Golf GTD), for example,  averaged 50-52mpg. My long-term average in the Tiguan, based on more than 3,000 miles, is 45.6mpg (just over 10mpg below the official combined figure of 56.4mpg).

However, on long motorway journeys, with some economical driving, it has reached 50mpg.

One of the Tiguan’s strengths is its safety technology.

It doesn’t have Volkswagen’s front assist city emergency braking, but it features lane assist (a camera controlled warning system should the vehicle drift out of its lane), fatigue detection (which analyses steering wheel  movements and other measures to detect if you need a break) and sign assist.

Lane assist is available as an optional extra, along with high beam assist (automatic sensing for switching between dipped and main beam) and cruise control for £780.

Our test car is also fitted with a rear-view camera (£410), while front and rear parking sensors and park assist (which helps you parallel park) are standard.