Volkswagen Tiguan review
Third generation Volkswagen Tiguan is a big-selling SUV that’s practical, refined, and benefits from VW’s latest hybrid engines
Is the Volkswagen Tiguan a good car?
If you’re looking for a practical, nicely finished, efficient and refined mid-sized SUV, then the Volkswagen Tiguan ticks all of those boxes. And if you need low company car tax costs, but an EV doesn’t suit your lifestyle, then you should consider the excellent plug-in eHybrid model.
The Tiguan isn’t as engaging to drive as a Ford Kuga, and high prices at the top of the range mean it doesn’t offer the same value as a Hyundai Tucson or one of the new wave of Chinese arrivals, such as the BYD Seal U, for example. But the Tiguan has won many fans over the years thanks to its all-round ability, as well as the attraction of the VW badge on its nose.
| Key specs | |
| Fuel type | Petrol, plug-in hybrid, diesel |
| Body style | 5dr SUV |
| Powertrain | 1.5, 4cyl, turbo, petrol, front-wheel drive 2.0, 4cyl, turbo, diesel, front-wheel drive 2.0, 4cyl, turbo, petrol, four-wheel drive 1.5, 4cyl, turbo, petrol plus 1x e-motor, front-wheel drive |
| Safety | Five-stars (2024) |
| Warranty | 3yrs/60,000 miles |
How much does the Volkswagen Tiguan cost?
Not many brands sell a nameless entry-level trim, but that’s what you get with the Volkswagen Tiguan. It has a £34,000 price tag and is only offered with the 128bhp 1.5 TSI engine, but it still comes with a 12.9-inch touchscreen, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera, while the modest 17-inch wheels should help it deliver the best ride of any Tiguan in the line-up.
For £2,000 extra you can choose Life trim with the same engine. This adds 18-inch alloys, power lumbar support, adaptive cruise control and three-zone climate control, among other luxuries. There’s also the choice of a 148bhp 1.5 TSI for an extra £800 or so, or a 2.0 TDI with the same 148bhp for an extra £2,000 over the 128bhp TSI. Life trim is also the entry level for the 201bhp 1.5 TSI eHybrid, which has a price tag of around £43,000.
Used - available now
2023 Volkswagen
Tiguan
58,730 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L
Cash £20,787
2023 Volkswagen
Tiguan
13,813 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L
Cash £26,487
2020 Volkswagen
Tiguan
42,536 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L
Cash £19,900
2023 Volkswagen
Tiguan
38,497 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L
Cash £23,700Match trim adds an electric tailgate, privacy glass, and keyless entry and start for less than £200 over Life models, while Elegance cars ramp up the luxury, with kit such as 19-inch alloys, a 30-colour ambient interior lighting, heated front seats with a massage function, and a 360-degree camera system. Prices start from just under £40,000 for Elegance spec, but you can’t get it with the 128bhp TSI engine.
R-Line is priced similarly to Elegance from around £40,000, while the Black Edition is a visual upgrade on top of R-Line for around £1,000 more. These both come with sportier exterior and interior styling, 20-inch alloys and sports front seats. These are the only trims available with the more powerful 268bhp eHybrid plug-in powertrain. If you’re looking for 4MOTION four-wheel drive, then a 2.0 TSI petrol is offered with 201bhp or 261bhp, and prices of around £45,500 and £48,500 respectively. Every version of the Tiguan is equipped with a DSG twin-clutch automatic transmission – there are no manual gearboxes available.
If you’re waiting for the return of the seven-seat Tiguan Allspace, then you’re out of luck. Instead VW has launched the Volkswagen Tayron as a separate model to rival the likes of the Skoda Kodiaq and Peugeot 5008.
However, it’s the Allspace in all but name, and uses the same powertrains as the Tiguan, including the eHybrid. As with the Kodiaq, the plug-in Tayron is five-seat only. In the US, the Tayron is badged as the Tiguan, because the smaller model offered in the UK isn’t sold there.
Engines, performance & drive
The Volkswagen Tiguan is as refined and easy to drive as ever, and the wide range of engines means there’s a sliding scale of efficiency and performance to choose from. The mid-range 148bhp 1.5 eTSI is fast enough with a 0-62mph time of 9.1 seconds and still delivers decent economy, although there are benefits to be made if you choose the eHybrid and are able to charge it regularly. Optional adaptive suspension (standard on the 261bhp 2.0 TSI petrol) doesn’t offer the smoothest of rides when compared with some rivals, while the standard set-up can feel a little firm when large wheels are fitted. Read more about the Volkswagen Tiguan's engines, performance and drive…
MPG, emissions & running costs
Mild-hybrid tech helps the 1.5 eTSI deliver up to 46.3mpg, while the diesel is quoted at 52.2mpg. A big battery helps the eHybrid model to deliver more than 70 miles of all-electric driving that will be beneficial for company car users, thanks to the knock-on effect it has of lowering the Tiguan’s emissions figures. Higher-spec versions of the Tiguan – including the hybrids – are liable to the road tax surcharge levied against cars costing more than £40,000. Other running costs should be reasonable, though, with competitive insurance rankings and solid residual values as plus points. Read more about the Volkswagen Tiguan's MPG, emissions and running costs…
Interior, design & technology
The easy-to-use physical controls of the last Tiguan have been swapped for a touchscreen, but constant development by Volkswagen means that its latest infotainment system is more responsive and with clearer graphics than the system first seen in the Golf hatch. As a result it’s fairly user-friendly, while there are stacks of hi-tech features available, although some are only parts of expensive option packs. Read more about the Volkswagen Tiguan's interior, design and technology…
Boot space, comfort & practicality
If you don’t need the versatility of a seven-seat layout, the Tiguan should be able to meet the practical demands of a family. There’s a 652-litre boot (490 litres in the eHybrid), which is competitive when compared with rivals, while the back seats are spacious enough for a couple of bulky child seats or tall adults. Towing capacity is up there with the best, but some versions of Ford Kuga are even better. Read more about the Volkswagen Tiguan's boot space, comfort and practicality…
Reliability & safety
A strong five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and plenty of standard safety features should provide peace of mind for owners. It's still too early to comment on what the latest Tiguan will be like to live with, but VW as a brand really needs to do better to improve its Driver Power score, while the standard manufacturer's warranty is pretty average when compared with some rivals. Read more about the Volkswagen Tiguan’s reliability and safety…
Volkswagen Tiguan alternatives
The Tiguan is one of Volkswagen’s best-selling models, but it’s far from a dominant force in the compact SUV sector, because there are scores of rivals to choose from. The latest Tiguan is priced towards the upper end of the sector, but not quite on a par with the likes of the BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC.
Rivals include staples of the class such as the Ford Kuga, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, while slightly cheaper options such as the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Nissan Qashqai, Renault Austral and Vauxhall Grandland offer better value for money. Some of these rivals offer plug-in hybrid or all-electric options, while a newcomer to the class is the BYD Seal U, which is purely a plug-in hybrid.
Frequently Asked Questions
The standard Volkswagen warranty is three years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. This is merely average, when several manufacturers can provide five years of coverage or more.
