Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan at a glance

The production Tiguan was unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt motor show. Its spiritual ancestor is the four-wheel-drive Golf Country of the second-generation Volkswagen Golf, and it was styled in Wolfsburg. In 2007 Volkswagen also showed a Tiguan HyMotion powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The Tiguan sits below the Volkswagen Touareg in the range; more models are in our Volkswagen catalogue.

Volkswagen Tiguan generations

First generation (2007–2016)

Buyers welcomed the "little brother" of the Touareg. The July 2011 facelift brought the design in line with Volkswagen's new corporate style - making it look much more like the Touareg - together with a revised interior, new engines and a seven-speed DSG. Two versions were offered: an urban one and an off-road one, which was slightly longer, came only with four-wheel drive and had better off-road angles.

The facelifted car has a raised windscreen above a domed bonnet, a grille with two horizontal chrome bars and twin-lens headlights framed by LED daytime running lights. Large side windows, square wheel arches with 16- to 18-inch wheels and a muscular, square rear end complete the look. Ground clearance is a generous 200 mm.

The cabin is restrained but well thought out, with a leather multifunction steering wheel, a vertical information display between the dials, quality plastics with metal-look trim and upholstery in fabric or a mix of fabric, leather and Alcantara. The front seats suit long journeys but have limited side support. In the back, the centre seat folds into an armrest, and there are fold-out tables, separate air vents and a 12-volt socket. The rectangular boot holds 470 litres, rising to 1,510 litres with the asymmetrically split rear seat folded flat; there is a storage organiser under the floor but no full-size spare.

The 4Motion system uses an electro-hydraulic Haldex multi-plate clutch: by default 90% of the torque goes to the front wheels, but up to 100% can be sent to the rear. The front-wheel-drive PQ35 platform has MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link rear axle. Adaptive DCC damping with three modes was optional; steering is electromechanical with variable assistance, and brakes are discs all round with ABS, EDS and ESP. Standard equipment included heated front seats, front and side airbags, an eight-speaker audio system, dual-zone climate control and electric windows all round.

Second generation (2016–2024)

The second Tiguan was unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show in September 2015 and went on sale in 2016. It adopted the design language of the eighth-generation Passat, a new platform and much improved technology, and it grew in size. A bonnet with four sharp creases, slim rectangular LED headlights, a chrome-trimmed grille that links the lights, and a bumper with three air intakes give it a more aggressive look; the R-Line version is sportier still. Flared wheel arches, plastic cladding, chrome window trim and small roof rails complete the profile. Ground clearance is 200 mm, and wheels range from 17 to 20 inches.

Inside, ergonomics are excellent. Front seats are comfortable, with electric adjustment and memory on some versions, and the leather steering wheel adjusts for height and reach. A digital instrument display imitates analogue dials and can show a full navigation map between them, and a touchscreen infotainment system with navigation sits in the centre console, with push-button start and a driving-mode selector on the tunnel. The rear seat suits three, though the centre place is tighter, and has a fold-down armrest and its own vents. The boot is a highlight: 615 litres, or 1,655 litres with the rear seats folded into a flat floor.

Engines and transmissions (second generation)

All engines meet Euro 6. The 1.4 TSI is paired with a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG and front- or four-wheel drive; the other engines come only with a seven-speed DSG and 4Motion. In normal driving the Haldex clutch sends about 10% of the torque to the rear axle, rising to 50% when needed.

The MQB platform uses MacPherson struts at the front and a four-link rear axle; front-wheel-drive cars have a steel rear subframe and 4Motion cars an aluminium one. Progressive electric steering is standard, disc brakes are fitted all round, and adaptive DCC dampers are optional.

Safety

The second-generation Tiguan was tested by Euro NCAP in 2016 and received the maximum five stars. Standard equipment includes ABS, stability and traction control, driver-fatigue detection, Front Assist and City Emergency Braking. Options include proactive occupant protection, Park Assist with sensors all round, blind-spot monitoring, rear traffic alert, Lane Assist, automatic high beam, a multifunction front camera, adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam function and the Area View surround camera. Passive safety covers front and side airbags, curtain airbags, ISOFIX mounts for two child seats and an active bonnet to protect pedestrians.

Key specifications by generation

Strengths and weaknesses

Owners say the Tiguan holds the road very well on the motorway and praise the smooth DSG, strong performance, high ground clearance and all-wheel drive, together with the engines, a comfortable and roomy cabin, attractive styling, good build quality, well-tuned suspension and high safety. Rivals include the Nissan Qashqai, Ford Kuga, Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Mitsubishi Outlander, Subaru Forester, Nissan X-Trail and Mazda CX-5.