Have you ever said to yourself “I really like the VW Tiguan but, well, I just need a bit more space”?

Well, VW have been listening in – that’s a creepy thought – and now have the answer to your prayers. It’s called the Allspace and, compared to the regular car, has grown by 215mm overall with an additional 109mm between the axles.

There are other, more subtle exterior differences, such as a taller bonnet profile, longer rear doors, restyled C-pillar and tweaked roof design. Inside it adds up to more legroom, an extra pair of seats and a larger boot (unless you’re using the aforementioned extra pair of seats).

There are three trim levels: SE Nav, tested here, SEL and the more sporty R-Line. Equipment levels are quite generous and include front and rear parking sensors, automatic lights – with high beam assist – and wipers, triple-zone air-con, 18in alloy wheels, leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob, Bluetooth audio streaming and handsfree calling and DAB radio.

VW’s Car-Net system, which allows you to connect a smartphone via Android Auto, Apple CarPlay or MirrorLink, is also included as standard as, unsurprisingly, is satellite navigation.

The touchscreen is responsive and the user interface intuitive. However, like all interfaces that provide no physical clues, you have to take your eyes off the road to be sure that you’re pressing the desired icon.

The dashboard and controls are identical to those found in the standard Tiguan – which I think should now be monikered the Lessspace – and that is certainly no bad thing because it shares the same high-quality materials and ergonomically-sound layout.

It is bigger, of course, and it’s that greater level of practicality and, by default, comfort that will pique the interest of buyers with larger families, or more luggage. Luggage capacity rises to 700 litres from 615 in the standard Tiguan with the rear-most seats folded flat, with as much as 1,775 litres available with the middle bench stowed.

Those rear seats, like those you’ll find in many seven-seaters, are really only suitable for children. Not just because of their size and the limited head and legroom, but also because of access, which should only really be tackled by humans young enough to touch their own toes without dislocating a disc.

My test car was powered by a 150PS 2.0-litre turbodiesel. It’s not what might be described as quick – a standing start to 62mph takes a smidgeon under 10 seconds – but it is refined and flexible, making motorway driving very relaxed and comfortable, especially paired with the seven-speed DSG gearbox which is smooth and intelligent.

There’s a little wind noise around the door mirrors at speed but, that aside, the cabin is very well insulated and you’ll really only be aware of the oil burner hauling you along under hard acceleration, and even then, it’s hardly what you would describe as intrusive.

The suspension is supple enough to isolate occupants from poor surfaces but retains enough stiffness not to leave the car bouncing on its springs as it tries to settle afterwards.

How does it handle? Body control is good and, with four-wheel-drive, traction is excellent but this isn’t a car that’s going to find its way onto the shopping lists of drivers who see every corner as a personal challenge. That said, it’s not an unpleasant experience to hustle it along briskly. The steering is precise but is a little light and doesn’t feed back a great deal of information to the driver.

If you want a practical, refined, efficient and well-constructed automobile then the Allspace possesses all those qualities in abundance, plus it can be fun to drive. Some rivals can offer much of the same but at a lower price, so the Allspace has its work cut out.

Tiguan Allspace SE Navigation 2.0 TDI SCR 4MOTION 150 PS 7spd DSG

Price: £35,235

As tested: £39,340

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel

Transmission: 7-speed DSG

Max power: 150PS @ 3500-4000rpm

Max torque: 340Nm @ 1750-3000rpm

Max speed: 123mph

Acceleration (0-62mph): 9.9sec

Urban: 41.5mpg

Extra urban: 55.4mpg

Combined: 47.9mpg

Emissions CO2: 153g/km

For more information visit www.vw.co.uk