SEVEN-SEAT versatility, a punchy engine delivering impressive fuel economy and all the on-board technology you could imagine - the latest Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace seems to have it all.

In addition, the newest model has had quite a growth spurt and boasts extra luggage space and a roomier cabin for passengers, which is good news all round for a growing family.

But despite its larger dimensions and extended wheelbase, the Tiguan Allspace has maintained its crisp styling and good looks. The rear doors have been lengthened, the bonnet has been raised and the roof has been redesigned in the process.

The R-Line Tech model also features some trim-specific features, such as an R-Line styling pack with sportier front and rear bumpers and gloss black front air intakes, black wheel arch extensions, unique R-Line badging, a pair of trapezoidal tail pipes, a piano black front air intake, sunroof and 20-inch alloy wheels.

The interior is functional but upmarket and there's a wealth of on-board technology at your disposal. The cabin oozes class with Vienna leather upholstery and seats that are heated. The driver is treated to 12-way adjustment with a massaging function - this costs £1,595 extra but is all very pleasant on a long journey.

There is a head up display, full smartphone connectivity via MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus an eight-inch touchscreen with navigation system, Bluetooth, a DAB digital radio and plenty more besides.

But this car is all about flexibility with the option of seven seats whenever needed. When not in use these rear seats can be folded flat to the boot floor in a matter of seconds. Storage will never be an issue either as the Tiguan Allspace has a boot capacity that ranges from 700 litres with the third row of seats folded flat to 1,775 litres with rows two and three dropped down.

And there are plenty of handy storage options throughout the cabin too with a cooled glovebox, door pockets, trays, cup holders, a hidden compartment by the driver's right knee and fold-down trays in the seat backs.

When it comes to cost, the Tiguan Allspace R-Line Tech is priced at £41,715, although with options, the price on this model increased to £46,570.

Our car was powered by a 2.0-litre 190ps diesel engine mated to a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission and it could sprint from 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds and onto a top speed of 130mph. According to official figures, it can deliver combined fuel economy of 38.7mpg (WLTP) with carbon emissions of 147g/km.

The Tiguan Allspace has performance capabilities to match its dynamic styling and goes about its business without any fuss. The acceleration through the gears is smooth with a constant stream of power on tap, and even when fully laden, this car can power its way up the steepest of inclines with ease.

The road holding is assured and there are steering wheel mounted paddles just in case you want to have a little bit of fun out on the twisting country lanes. There are also various drive modes called Eco, Normal, Sport and Individual that alter the car's responses considerably. And the 4MOTION all-wheel drive will keep you going in poorer driving conditions with settings for Snow, Off-road or Individual.

With family holidays in mind, the Tiguan Allspace is ideal for towing a caravan or trailer and there is an automatic towbar that can be released at the press of a button, as well as Trailer Assist technology to help the driver when reversing with a trailer. These features were options on our car, but would be well worth considering if escaping to the great outdoors is a regular activity.

The car is packed with safety kit and driver aids, including lane assist, adaptive cruise control with front assist, a radar controlled distance monitoring system, city emergency braking and predictive pedestrian protection. These are just some of the features that helped the Tiguan Allspace achieve a maximum five-star rating when tested for its Euro NCAP safety score.