IN its eight-year lifespan the original Tiguan was a soaraway success for Volkswagen.

Its replacement looks set to see that continue as a compact SUV that straddles the gap perfectly between the mainstream and premium segments.

While the latest version isn't radically different to the model it replaces it does represent a significant step up - chiefly in terms of size and therefore practicality.

To many the previous Tiguan was perhaps just a little to compact for its own good, meaning it had limitations as a family car - being very much more of a jacked-up hatchback than an SUV proper.

A more square and boxy profile this time around and an increase in size do much to ensure the Tiguan ticks plenty of boxes as a family car.

The latest version is 60mm longer and 30mm wider than its predecessor, which might not sound like a lot, but in reality makes a huge difference.

These expanded dimensions, along with that altogether different design approach, mean the Tiguan MkII is extremely roomy and practical.

It can seat five adults in a considerable degree of comfort and in addition also scores highly for versatility.

Its 520-litre boot is way bigger than that of the old model and trumps most rivals but you can also strike a balance between boot space and legroom for rear passengers.

The rear seats can be slid forward by up to 170mm to increase boot space to 620-litres.

With the rear seats folded you get a whopping 1,655 litres of carrying capacity.

The Tiguan is exceptionally well-built with a cabin characterised by abundant use of top quality materials and plastics throughout.

Comfortable and generally classy its interior perhaps doesn't quite have the wow factor of some premium compact SUVs but it scores highly for functionality and decent technology too.

In terms of trim levels there are five to choose from and this SE Navigation sits slap back in the middle. Below it there's S and SE and above it SEL and R-Line.

An entry-level S offers a touchscreen infotainment system, air con, 17-inch alloys, automatic lights and lane-keeping assistance.

Step-up to an SE and you get 18-inch wheels, Apple CarPlay, cruise control, electric mirrors and parking sensors. As the name suggests the SE Navigation adds a sat-nav system into the mix.

Engines in the new Tiguan are leaner and greener than before and not surprisingly the emphasis is on diesel units with different power variants on the 2.0-litre diesel theme - 114bhp, 148bhp and 187bhp.

There's also a potent 237bhp 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel available and as far as petrol powerplants go 123bhp and 148bhp variants of the 1.4TSI and a 178bhp 2.0-litre. A plug-in hybrid is also on the way.

This was the mid-range 148bhp diesel and is almost certainly the pick of the bunch engine-wise when it comes to a car that offers a decent blend of performance and economy.

Buyers can opt for front-wheel or all-wheel drive versions of the Tiguan, with running costs higher for all-wheel drive versions, as is the case with an automatic version too.

The Tiguan offers a decent enough drive, comfortable and refined and while it doesn't excite as a driver's car that's not really the point of it.

While it isn't the biggest SUV in the world it still sits fairly high, though impressively it suffers from minimal pitch and roll through the bends. Ride quality is pretty decent too.

What the Tiguan is ultimately is a great all-rounder that's difficult to fault - perhaps the only real criticism that might be levelled at it is that it does cost substantially more than mainstream rivals like the Renault Kadjar and Mazda CX-5.