The all new Volkswagen Tiguan is a compact crossover SUV that was announced in 2006, at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. Production on this vehicle began in the winter of 2007, and it will be making its North American debut in 2009. This is Volkswagen's answer to the ever growing market of small SUVs, which includes the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4.

The story behind how the Tiguan got its name is as unique as the name itself. As part of Volkswagen's marketing strategy, the name was voted on by the public. Over 350,000 votes were submitted before a name was chosen. Tiguan turns out to be a combination of the German names for the tiger and the iguana.

The Tiguan's starting price is a bit higher than those of its competitors, mainly because you are purchasing the Volkswagen name. This is significant because, depending on how many options are added, you could wind up paying as much for one of these as you would a mid-size SUV. Volkswagen has joined the small SUV market a little bit late, which could hurt sales with so many other choices in this class. The innovative German engineering could close the gap. And, if handling and interior styling count for anything, this could very well be the case.

In trying to keep up with the competition, the Tiguan has quite a challenge ahead of it; especially against the established, popular and cheaper Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. This is the situation that the majority of automakers find themselves in as the demand for smaller, fuel efficient vehicles continues to rise. This demand, coupled with the continued consumer interest in versatile off road vehicles, has led to the introduction of the Tiguan and others like it.

The quality of the Volkswagen Tiguan seems to match its slightly higher price tag. It offers a better ride than almost all of its competitors. Some, however, may complain that the suspension is a little bit stiff. This is probably because it is built on the same platform as the Jetta and Rabbit.

It's too early to tell if the Volkswagen Tiguan is going to be a hit, but with more people turning away from the larger SUVs, it is sure to be noticed. The European design and styling are sure to attract at least a few people away from the more established cars in this class.