Sticker price: $23,200 – $32,940
AOL ‘market price’: $22,733 – $28,552
Mileage: 24 mpg Hwy, 18 mpg City
IIHS Top Safety Pick: Yes

Although the name (a combination of “tiger” and “iguana”) sounds like it was coined by Napoleon Dynamite, the new addition to the Volkswagen line-up better fits the classic image of Volkswagen than the larger Touaureg (named after a nomadic North African tribe).

Powered by a turbo-charged 4-cylinder engine, the little Tiguan is genuinely fun to drive. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and easily while getting the most out of the engine.

An available panoramic sunroof bathes the interior in light, making it feel roomier inside, although the Tiguan is plenty comfortable as it is.