The Volkswagen Tiguan, a vehicle that has carved out an emblematic place in the automotive world, opens a new chapter in its already rich and crowned with success history. Having conquered the market with more than 7 million units sold worldwide, the Tiguan proves to be a central element of the Volkswagen range. This new version, which retains the famous R-Line finish and the 150 ch TDI engine that have contributed to the model’s renown, represents a prudent choice for drivers covering long distances.
The third generation of the Tiguan sports a modern exterior design, undoubtedly appealing to enthusiasts of sporty style, while building on the evolved foundations of its predecessor. This development integrates new technologies to enable this popular family SUV to offer an even more refined driving experience than before.
Meanwhile, the revised interior offers a bit more space, and buyers have many levels of finish to choose from, as well as a range of engines, including two gasoline plug-in hybrids. So, should buyers in search of a car that offers a combination of family practicality and a relatively high-end image simply go out and buy a Tiguan? Well, before doing so, read on to find out how it compares to the best family SUVs.
“Tiguan” at Volkswagen is a portmanteau of the German words “Tiger” and “Leguan,” translating to “Tiger” and “Iguana” in English. These are names of wild beasts, chosen to embody the off-road capabilities of a vehicle designed to venture into the wilderness.
The name “Tiguan” was selected following a poll among the readers of a German automotive magazine. Other names considered included Namib, Rockton, Samun, and Nanuk.
Performance and Driving
From the engine standpoint, the VW Tiguan covers most bases. There’s a choice of pure gasoline engines, pure diesel, and mild hybrid gasoline from the launch, with the option of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, depending on the version.
From mid-2024, there will also be a choice of two plug-in hybrid (PHEV) eHybrid models, with powers of 201 ch and 268 ch. Both can officially cover a competitive 100 km on electricity alone.
The only slight demerit is the automatic transmission which can be slow to change gear when you need a burst of acceleration – although you can improve its reaction times by turning the gear selector from D (Drive) to S (Sport). If you prefer diesel, you’ll want the 2.0 TDI, which has 148 ch and an official time of 0 to 100 km/h of 9.4 seconds. Meanwhile, a pair of more powerful 2.0-liter gasoline options equipped with all-wheel drive will arrive later. A high-performance version of the Tiguan R has not been confirmed.
Another highlight of this new Tiguan is that you have the option to equip it with adaptive suspension, which remains, I specify, an option. Also called DCC Pro, which allows you to soften or firm up the suspension by selecting Comfort or Sport driving modes. There’s also an Individual driver mode so you can fine-tune it further, with 15 degrees of firmness to choose from. In its softest setting, the Tiguan rides serenely and quietly over rough roads with very little float on undulating roads. In its firmest mode, the ride is more composed, and it smothers bumps much better than a BMW X1 with adaptive suspension – even on the large 20-inch wheels of our test car.While the X1 is more eager to turn into corners, the Tiguan establishes a good balance of comfort with neat body control and plenty of grip. Overall, it’s more polished to drive than a Nissan Qashqai.
Refinement is also a strong point. The 1.5 eTSI gasoline engine is smooth and quiet even when working hard, while wind and road noise are low at highway speeds.
Interior
Getting comfortable in the latest VW Tiguan is easy, thanks to numerous seat and steering wheel adjustments. Electric lumbar support adjustment for the front seats is standard on the Life trim and above, while the Elegance trim adds massage seats and an adjustable seat base for additional thigh support.
The Tiguan offers a splendid view out of the front windshield, but the view over your shoulder is not as good, due to the thick pillars at the back of the car. Fortunately, to make parking a breeze, all versions are equipped with front and rear parking sensors, as well as a rearview camera. The Elegance trim adds a 360-degree camera.
Automatic LED headlights are standard across the range, while the Life trim automatically activates the high beams for you.
All versions come equipped with a versatile 10.3-inch digital dashboard that can clearly display all sorts of useful information. The optional Infotainment Package Plus adds a heads-up display.
The most significant update is a standalone central touchscreen that measures 12.9 inches. A huge 15.0-inch screen (as large as in a Tesla Model Y) is available as part of the Infotainment Package Plus. I’ve tested the larger screen, and it’s impressive, with sharp and vibrant graphics, customizable shortcut icons at the top, and quick response times. The Life trim and above include wireless phone charging, satellite navigation, and a voice control system that recognizes natural speech. Climate control functions are integrated into the touchscreen infotainment system, with permanent display of temperature and main settings.
A huge 15.0-inch screen (as large as in a Tesla Model Y)
Meanwhile, the touchpads under the screen that adjust the temperature can be somewhat tricky to use, but at least they light up so you can use them in the dark, unlike the VW ID 3. Similarly, you get proper buttons on the steering wheel for cruise control and audio settings, rather than haptic controls like those on the ID 3.
On the lower central console, a rotary dial with an integrated OLED display allows you to easily adjust the volume or scroll through driving modes. It’s also tactile to use. In the high-end R-Line trim that I tested, the Tiguan’s elegant interior offers plenty of soft-touch and leather-like materials on the doors and dashboard, while glossy black and silver trim finishes add visual pizzazz. The controls and switches operate with reassuring precision. I particularly enjoyed the plushness of our R-Line’s ErgoActive sports seats and their effective, discreet massage function.
Passenger Space and Trunk
There’s plenty of headroom and legroom in the front of the VW Tiguan, even for taller occupants, and storage space is also impressive. The front door pockets can each hold a large bottle, and there’s a compartment under the central armrest with two cupholders. There’s also room for a pair of phones on a rubberized tray beneath the central air vents.
Legroom is generous in the rear seats, with plenty of space for feet under the front seats. There’s ample room for 6-foot-tall occupants in the back, and there’s still a small amount of clearance from the roof lining with the optional panoramic roof. If you’re only carrying a couple of rear passengers, they can use the central armrest, which includes two cupholders and a place to hold your phone vertically for watching videos. A middle rear seat passenger will be fine for short journeys. The seat base is usefully flat, although their legs will have to straddle a small hump on the floor.
All models come with 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, which are more versatile than the 60/40 split-folding seats you’ll find in the Seat Ateca and the Volvo XC40, and can also be slid forward and backward and reclined.
The Tiguan has a very large boot by class standards, with 652 liters of space in the non-PHEV versions. The loading area has a good uniform shape, and the Life trim adds an adjustable boot floor. In its highest position, it creates a usefully large storage area underneath and a flat loading area when the rear seat backs are folded down.
There are handles in the Tiguan’s boot that let you drop the rear seat backs so you don’t have to open the rear doors to do it. A powered tailgate is standard on Match and Elegance trims for added convenience and is optional on other trim levels. There’s no new seven-seater version to replace the VW Tiguan Allspace, but a model called VW Tayron is planned for 2025 to fill this gap in the range. It will be closely related to the 2024 Tiguan.
Buying and Owning
The Volkswagen Tiguan is more expensive than the equivalent Kia Sportage, Seat Ateca, or Skoda Karoq, but less than a similarly well-equipped BMW X1 or Volvo XC40. With fuel economy figures of around 45 mpg and CO2 emissions of about 140 g/km for the 1.5-liter gasoline, it should cost a similar amount to run as its rivals. Some drivers will be drawn to the eHybrid plug-in hybrids because their purely electric range and low CO2 emissions. The eHybrids have a maximum charging speed of up to 50 kW.
There are a total of five trim levels to choose from, starting with the entry-level Tiguan. It covers the essentials, with 17-inch wheels, air conditioning, a touchscreen infotainment system, and some parking aids.
I recommend paying a bit more for the Life trim, which adds three-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, 18-inch alloy wheels, ambient lighting, wireless phone charging, and satellite service. Heated rear seats are available as an option on the Life trim and above as part of the winter pack.
The Match trim is also tempting, as it adds keyless entry, a powered tailgate, and rear privacy glass for a small price increase. If you want even more luxury, Elegance is for you. This trim gives you 19-inch alloy wheels and adds heated seats, heated washer jets, a heated steering wheel, and massage front seats.
All versions are equipped with automatic emergency braking (AEB) and lane-keeping assistance, as well as sign recognition and a system that monitors driver fatigue. You also get blind-spot monitoring and a rear cross-traffic alert to warn you of approaching vehicles from behind.
The New Tiguan perfectly illustrates Volkswagen’s ambition to remain a benchmark among compact SUVs. With this new version, Volkswagen meets the expectations of model enthusiasts by combining comfort, performance, efficiency, and cutting-edge technology. Thus, the new Tiguan easily positions itself as a solid choice for those seeking a vehicle that is both versatile and enjoyable to live with daily.