VW Tiguan review

Volkswagen's Tiguan is an attractive example of an American Classics—the SUV. It offers performance that keeps pace with the best of its class and a cabin that effectively balances comfort and drive enhancing features.

One thing you can always count on when driving a Tiguan is an enjoyable, relaxed drive quality and a wide array of innovative technologies worthy of this premium brand.

Read our full Volkswagen Tiguan review to learn all about the Tiguan and why it takes pride of place in the Volkswagen range.

What's New for the 2022 Tiguan?

The new 2022 Tiguan brings a more contemporary edge. Featuring revised bumpers, an improved grille, and stunning brand new wheel designs.

The interior of the Tiguan is also updated with a touch-sensitive control system and an enhanced steering wheel offering better ergonomic and functionality. For an added premium feel you'll also benefit from heated seats as standard in the front with lumbar support to make long trips hassle-free.

Used Tiguans AvailableNew Tiguan for Sale

​A Practical and Well-Built SUV: Perfectly Honed for Family Life

Having evolved significantly since its release in 2008 the Volkswagen Tiguan is a staple in the SUVs on the market. It features a large boot, elegant styling and a distinctive badge that features an emblem for this popular family car. Alternatives include the SEAT Ateca and Skoda Karoq with which Tiguan shares some engine components with the Tiguan.

It's been proven that Tiguan is an effective performer, however, not quite a scintillating showstopper. That said, the Tiguan is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a dependable SUV.

The Tiguan SUV also performed incredibly well in the Euro Ncap crash test taking the full five stars. It scored particularly well in the adult and child safety categories an impressive 96% and 84% respectively. Yet another reason that the VW Tiguan is a brilliant family SUV.

This compact SUV has great qualities in a wide variety of categories. Overall it's a very complete package and a versatile choice in a broad range of situations. Yet another excellent SUV from VW.

Tiguan Performance, Engines, and Transmission

Even though it's built for comfort and practicality the Tiguan has a broad selection of engines to choose from and performs well on motorways and through cities alike. Your options are further enhanced by a wide range of engines and trims to choose from. 

No matter what you are looking for you can find one to suit. From low-powered entry-level models to high-performance. Something to suit everyone.

The Tiguan also benefits from a fuel efficiency of between 41.4 mpg and 55.4 mpg depending on the model you choose. This makes the Tiguan very competitive in the small SUV range. Steering is very responsive and has a little weight about it.

To further enhance your driving experience you can also add the innovative Travel Assist function. This optional upgrade pairs adaptive cruise control with steering assistance to allow semi-autonomous driving. This can help you stay in lane on dual carriageways and respond to evolving situations where a quick response may be required.

Engines and Transmissions

Depending upon engine selection, a Tiguan has a six-speed manual gearbox and 7-speed  automatics and all new models have front-wheel-drive. Both petrol and diesel models come in options of automatic or manual.

There is a wide choice of petrol and diesel engines to choose from. New Tiguan's come in three petrol and two diesel models. At the lower-powered level, there is a 1.5 TSI.

Here if your going to be racking up the miles on motorways the diesel will make the most sense; they're refined and offer the best mix of economy and performance. The 2.0 TDI version is able to reach 0-62mph in a solid 9.4 seconds, with a top speed of 124mph.

What's it like to drive?

Driving is a joy in the Tiguan. It provides excellent performance in all aspects and the model is focused on quiet refinement and smoothness on almost every traction. Manual versions feature a smooth gear change.

It is a fun to drive SUV with a good, solid engine with good brakes and a good automatic system for driving. Like many competitors, it's far from fast but it makes a nice smooth ride with sporty handling and a smooth steering wheel that resembles VWs highly-regarded GTI Hot hatch. The Tiguan brake-pedal action is soft but does not match the firm progressive brakes that other Volkswagen families use.

Tiguan Interior, Comfort and Storage

The Tiguan has similarities to their younger siblings VW Golfer and Passat. It shares its engine and cabin accessories but also shares its relaxed driving habits, superb construction quality and elegant ambience.

There is plenty more new technology in the Tiguan including Volkswagen's most updated infotainment system and new touchscreen controls on the interior. It also includes intelligent LED headlights which provide IQ illumination for safer driving at night.

Passenger space

Volkswagen Tiguans are incredibly spacious, with ample room for tall passengers. Front seats come with height and reach adjustment. This makes it incredibly easy for passengers to find a comfortable driving position with ease. 

A wide 2678mm wheelbase and fairly large frame make the Tiguan SUV a very spacious vehicle. The legroom on the second row will comfortably seat two adults, three would be a bit squashed over longer journeys.  while the third row wouldn't be as comfortable over a long trip. The back seats are big enough to seat even the tallest passengers in comfort. A 6 ft. passenger has sufficient legroom behind the same tall driver with room to put his or her feet in the seat.

Storage space

Along with the excellent space for passengers, this compact family SUV has plenty of storage space. The Volkswagen Tiguan features incredibly large bins and cube holes for keeping the cabin neat.

Especially with its ample storage. The interior of the Tiguan has a Volkswagen classic design which essentially means they are functional with a refined style particularly stylish. All four door bins are large enough for a single bottle and the glovebox is large enough that valuable items are protected. As standard, it's got a 12V charger socket, but you can also buy a wireless charger pad if you don't want to have cables over your cabin.

Infotainment and connectivity

Volkswagen's infotainment system appears sleek and has touchscreen buttons on an impressive glass panel, making navigation a breeze. The system includes iOS CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility which means drivers can choose the familiar Android interface of their phone over Volkswagen's: the Wi-Fi network is standard. Each vehicle features a 10-inch digital gauge that is reconfigured to display various information.

Boot space

The Volkswagen Tiguan has a 520-litre boot. More than enough space for shopping, or even everything you need for a long weekend away. The third row of seats do slide forward to increase this to 615-litres, or you can even fold the rear seats down increasing it to 1655-litres storage space. More than you could need for most situations.

You also have an adjustable boot floor for removing the awkward load lip. There is also a socket with a 12v plug. Very handy for cleaning your boot or charging items on the move. `

It's much bigger than the 430 litres Nissan Qashqai offers or the 467-litres in the Kia Sportage.

What trims are available?

The Tiguan is available in a wide range of trims offering a spec to suit all budgets or requirements. As expected the Tiguan is full of standard and optional technologies. Among them are several electronic safety devices, including adaptive cruise control (e.g. emergency city brakes) and LED lights front and rear. The selection of trims on offer all share the same engines. Which options are available will depend on the trim level you opt for.

Tiguan Life

The Life trim is the entry-level option. This comes with a wide range of standard equipment including 18" 'Frankfurt' alloys, parking sensors in the front and rear, privacy glass in the rear and side windows, and the 'Discover Media nav system which can stream and have internet. It also has three-zone climate control with enhanced air filters that has controls in the rear. Along with the rest of the standard features, of course.

Tiguan Active

The next level up is the Tiguan Active. This upgrades the Life with 17" Galway alloys, powered folding exterior heated mirrors, 'Active' interior upholstery, an ECO function, and a fully keyless entry with full electric tailgate operation. There is also a choice of 30 colours for ambient lighting.

Tiguan Elegance

Then there is the Tiguan Elegance. The Elegance spec level adds a bit more luxury. It brings 19" 'Auckland' Dark Graphite alloys, a panoramic sunroof, Digital Cockpit Pro which is a multi-coloured digital cockpit with several selectable profiles, a rearview camera system, keyless entry with the electronic tailgate like the Active trim and the Winter Pack. It also features IQ.LIGHT dynamic light, indicator and tail lights.

Tiguan R-Line

The R-Line further enhances the Tiguan with 20" Misano alloys, adds the Driver Assitance Plus Pack. This brings in park assist, dynamic road sign display, proactive passenger protection that works with front and side assist, and a lane change system. It also features the Winter Pack that includes heated front seats and heated windscreen washer jets.

Tiguan R

At the top of the range, we have the R trim level. Featuring 21" Estoril Black alloys specially made from this level of Tiguan, the IQ Light tech, an "R" styled rear spoiler, the Discover Media nav system, sports seats in the front, a rear-view camera, and all-wheel drive. Along with the standard equipment like the other levels.

Used and Nearly New VW Tiguan's

Having been around since Summer 2007 there is no difficulty getting a quality used Volkswagen Tiguan. Since its launch, it has risen to the top of the compact SUV space with its well-earned reputation for quality, reliability, and practicality.

The Volkswagen Tiguan adds everything great about the Golf to the car with a more spacious interior and larger luggage space.

Pricing and Which One to Buy?

The mid-range SE comes equipped with an 18" wheelbase and rear liftgates, lane-keep assist and new autonomous mode of operation. A panoramic sun-deck is a $1400 option on SE and is ideally worth upgrading if a person loves catching some light while driving.

New Tiguan Prices

If your looking for a new Volkswagen Tiguan instead of a used. As outlined in the trim levels there is a lot of choices. Prices start from just £28,585 for the a Life model all the way up to £47,210 if you opt the high-performance R trim.

Used Tiguan Prices

As mentioned before there is a broad range of Tiguan's on offer on the used market. This SUV holds its value quite well so it might not be as low priced as you would hope. This does mean though that if you ever come to sell it you won't lose out too much.

To give you an idea of how much to expect to pay you can pick up 2014 premium R-Line model with decent mileage for as little as £13,000. This scales up to around £30,000 if you would rather pick up a 2021 model. A Volkswagen Tiguan for you, no matter your budget or needs.

New Tiguan for SaleUsed Tiguans Available