She: I have a sentimental history with the Volkswagen Tiguan. When I married six years ago, one of my bridesmaids used her Tiguan to drive me to my wedding. It was a nicely styled car perfectly suited to the low key outdoor ceremony.  Of course some of the earlier Tiguan's had issues but this compact SUV has come a long way in a short time, Amac?

He: That's a lovely way to start this Dani, so I'm sure you'll recognise the original Tiguan was a little compromised in terms of rear space. Volkswagen has addressed that with the new model - and a host of other niggles - with a classy car that pays as much attention to those in the back seat as it does to those in the front. It's an important car for Volkswagen, and an important one to get right. What was your first impression Dani?

She: This second-generation Tiguan is the first new model launched since the Dieselgate scandal. So the pressure's been on Volkswagen to reestablish its reputation and come up with something pretty special. In saying that, I think the German brand has done a great job with this Tiguan. There are significant improvements all round. It's bigger, inside and out and more stylish. But the 'wow' factor for me is the level of premium equipment. The mid-range Comfortline line 110TSI we tested enjoys some of the benefits of Volkswagen's luxury Audi arm. It has the same virtual cockpit display as the Audi R8, which is a $400,000 Supercar. 

He: Spot on Dani, there is some wow factor about the dash, which Volkswagen calls Active Info Display and charges $1500 for as an option. It looks great and adds to the modern ambience of the cabin. But it is also functional, bringing the features of the generous 8.0-inch touch screen - such as sat nav, phone and audio settings - into a view that only requires dipping your head rather than looking sideways for better safety. Speaking of which, the Tiguan has a pretty generous level of gear to keep everyone well protected, including standard automated emergency braking, reverse camera, six airbags and even a pop-up bonnet for better pedestrian protection. But what about what's under the bonnet; how did you find the Tiguan's 1.4-litre engine and dual-clutch automatic combination?

She: I got the chance to test this in controlled conditions and some country roads. For me, it passed both with ease. It's great on the track and performed well dynamically but it's just as good off road. It rides comfortably, adapted well to different conditions and there's not much road noise.  The 110TSI turbo petrol engine, which is powered with 110kW/250Nm, did the job for me. It gets to 100km/h in 9.2 seconds and sharp braking isn't an issue.  The DSG felt pretty 'Golf' like to me (which isn't a bad thing) and the throttle response seems to have improved. Amac, how did you rate the Tiguan's performance?

He: Totally agree; I think the Tiguan's performance is more than adequate even in this base specification with a good balance between everyday useability and fuel consumption. And, like you, I think the DSG transmission is improved, but still can be a little hesitant away from a standstill sometimes. For those that want a bit more, there is the choice of a more powerful petrol motor or a grunty turbo diesel option. Building on the Golf feeling you mentioned, I think the Tiguan also drives much like the popular hatch; the steering is light and yet precise and it's pretty comfortable in the way it rides over bumps, even if it is a little sharper than some of its rivals like the Hyundai Tucson which has been tuned specifically for Australian roads. Did you find the Tiguan easy to live with on the road?

She: I found it really easy to live with. It's smooth and quiet and easy to drive but it's the Tiguan's all round practicality that stands out for me. It has the biggest boot in its class and passengers are well looked after. There's adjustable air conditioning and the back is roomier than most of its rivals. The rear sliding seats are clever and the tray tables with pop out cup holders come in handy when dealing with irritable, hungry, kids. Things like this can make a big difference during long trips. Along with all the standard safety features you mentioned, our test car was fitted with a driver's assistance package that adds adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear traffic alert, power folding mirrors and a 360-degree camera. The package costs $2250 extra and it bumps the price up to $39,240. It's not necessarily the cheapest in its class but still pretty good for what you get. What do you think Amac?   

He: That's the rub with the Tiguan, Dani; it does command a small premium over some of its rivals, such as the popular Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4 and the Kia Sportage/Hyundai Tucson twins-under-the-skin. Mazda has reacted swiftly to the Tiguan's arrival and included its previously optional safety pack as standard equipment while also reducing its price, making it hard to look past even if there is an all-new model just around the corner. But the Tiguan is a case of you 'get what you pay for' and that is a classy, clever and comfortable SUV that looks after the whole family. Would it be on you shopping list?

She: It's hard to dislike this car. It has a premium look and feel about it without an ultra-exclusive price tag. Volkswagen's done a really good job with a family car that I think sets a high standard and even raises the bar in a few areas. Some of the materials inside the cabin aren't the flashiest but what you get in terms of safety and technology make up for it . The virtual cockpit display is the icing on the caking for me. And speaking of cake, if you do plan to get hitched in one of these, the improved rear leg room will ensure a much smoother ride.

Visit Drive's Volkswagen showroom for more information

2016 Volkswagen Tiguan 110TSI Comfortline

On-sale: Now

Price: $39,240 (plus on-road costs - with Driver Assistance Package fitted)

Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol

Power: 110kW at 5000-6000rpm

Torque: 250Nm at 1500-3500rpm

Transmission: 6-spd dual-clutch automatic, AWD

Fuel Use: 6.2L/100km