Volkswagen Tiguan review

They say if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But when VW brought out the latest version of its best-selling model globally – the Volkswagen Tiguan – it changed pretty much everything.

This third-generation Tiguan flaunts a fresh, modern design, and beneath are heavily revised underpinnings that equip it with the latest on-board tech – to help this popular family SUV deliver a more polished drive than before.

Meanwhile, the overhauled interior offers a little more space, and buyers get lots of trim levels to choose from plus a range of engines, including petrols, a diesel, and two plug-in hybrids. However, if you want seven seats, you'll need the closely related Volkswagen Tayron.

VW Tiguan video review

So, should buyers looking for a car that offers a combination of family-friendly practicality and a relatively upmarket image default to buying a Tiguan, then? No. Because you should read this review first to find out how it compares with the best family SUVs out there.

We'll tell you how we rate the VW Tiguan against more value-focused contenders, such as the Seat Ateca and Skoda Karoq. We'll also consider the very capable Kia Sportage, the stylish Mini Countryman, and premium alternatives, including the BMW X1 and Volvo XC40.

What’s new?

- December 2024 - Black Edition announced with 20in alloys, Matrix LED headlights and a driver assistance safety package
- August 2024 - New R-Line model provides hot hatch performance from its 261bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine and enhanced adaptive suspension

Engine-wise, the VW Tiguan covers most bases and comes with an automatic gearbox as standard. The range kicks off with the two 1.5-litre petrol engines: the 128bhp eTSI 130 and 148bhp eTSI 150. They both use mild-hybrid assistance to bolster performance and fuel economy, and even the least powerful eTSI 130 feels peppy. Officially it covers off 0-62mph in 10.6 seconds. 

The eTSI 150 is quicker and our pick of the range. It managed 0-60mph in 9.0 seconds when we tested it. Yes, that's fractionally slower than the equivalent Volvo XC40 B3 (8.7 seconds) and Mini Countryman C (8.4 seconds) we pitted it against, but if you're happy to rev the TSI 150 out still there's plenty of real-world pace on tap. 

The only time it might leave you wanting is when you're pulling away from a standstill. That's because the auto 'box hesitates initially but, once you're moving, it changes down eagerly if you need a burst of acceleration – especially when you pop it into the Sport mode.

There’s also a choice of two plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models. They're badged eHybrid and have power outputs of 201bhp and 268bhp. Both have an official electric-only range of around 75 miles, which is both useful and competitive. We've tried the 201bhp version and it switches between petrol to electric modes smoothly and provides a good turn of speed when both power sources are combined. The regenerative brakes, which recharge the battery when you use them, are sometimes surprisingly abrupt, especially around town. 

If you’d prefer a diesel engine, there's only one. It's called the 2.0 TDI 150 and has 148bhp. Officially it gets from 0-62mph in 9.4 seconds, so it's pretty lively and, being a diesel, has plenty of low-end grunt. If you'll be doing any towing it's a good option. 

Need something quicker? No problem. There are more powerful 2.0-litre TSI petrols with four-wheel drive: the TSI 204 with 201bhp, and the TSI 265 with 261bhp. So far we're yet to try either, but their performance isn't likely to leave you wanting – VW claims the TSI 265 sprints from 0-62mph in just 5.9 seconds, which is sports SUV  territory. 

As for ride comfort, the Tiguan's pretty good. Yes, the standard suspension is tuned slightly towards the firmer end of the scale but it still rounds off most bumps and ruts comfortably. It's not perfect, though. There's some choppiness to the ride on faster, uneven roads, so for maximum comfort in this class you'll find the XC40's ride is a little more polished.

The Tiguan can match the XC40’s calm and cosseting ride, though – if it's fitted with adaptive suspension, called DCC Pro. This is standard if you choose a PHEV or Black Edition model, or you can add it with the optional Dynamic Driving Package on certain trims and engines. DCC Pro allows you to alter the ride stiffness in multiple increments between soft and firm. You do this using controls on the touchscreen.  

In its softer settings, the Tiguan has a pliant, slightly floaty ride that’s soothing in everyday driving. For fast, twisty sections of road, you can move it ever further towards the sportiest mode. Doing so takes out the floatiness, but the trade-off is a noticeably busier ride. Even so, the Tiguan still manages to smother bumps far better than a BMW X1 with adaptive suspension. 

The X1 is more agile, though, and the Tiguan doesn’t have quite as much outright grip as an XC40 or Countryman when you push it hard. But we reckon the Tiguan strikes a good balance of comfort and agility, regardless of whether it's on regular or adaptive suspension. The well-weighted steering inspires confidence and its neat body control allows you to thread your way down an undulating country road at a reasonable lick. It certainly feels sharper to drive than a Nissan Qashqai or Vauxhall Grandland.

At motorways speeds, the Tiguan generates slightly more wind and road noise than its XC40 and Countryman rivals. Also, its 1.5 petrol engines (regular and hybrid) are more vocal than the equivalents in the XC40 and Countryman when you rev them out. But that's comparing the Tiguan with two of the quietest cars in class, and, overall, it's far from grating to live with.

“I was impressed by the sheer configurability of the Tiguan's DCC adaptive suspension. In Individual mode, there are 15 degrees of firmness to choose from.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

Getting comfortable in the VW Tiguan is easy, thanks to plenty of adjustment from the seat and steering wheel. Powered adjustable lumbar support for the front seats is standard on all trims, while Elegance trim and above include massaging seats and an adjustable seat base for additional thigh support.

The Tiguan gives you a great view out of the front, while large side windows and relatively slim rear pillars help provide a clearer view when looking over your shoulder than you get in a Volvo XC40. To make parking a doddle, all versions come with front and rear parking sensors, as well as a rear-view camera. Elegance trim improves that to a 360-degree camera. Automatic LED headlights come as standard across the range, while Life trim will automatically switch on high beams for you.

All versions come with a versatile 10.3in digital driver's display that looks sharp and offers all sorts of useful information. The optional Infotainment Package Plus adds a head-up display. Next to that is the freestanding infotainment touchscreen, which measures 12.9in. A whopping 15in screen (that’s as big as in a Tesla Model Y) is available as part of the Infotainment Package Plus.

The larger screen is impressive, but either version uses the brand’s latest software that's a big improvement over older VW systems. You get sharp, vibrant graphics and quick responses to inputs. From entry-level Life trim you get wireless Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto, wireless phone-charging, sat-nav, and a voice-control system that recognises natural speech.

While you can customise shortcut icons at the top corner of the screen to aid usability, some of the climate control functions are integrated into a sub-menu, which makes them fiddlier to use than simple physical controls. At least the interior temperature and heated seat settings are permanently on display.

You can also adjust the interior temperature using touch pads below the infotainment screen, but those are still fiddlier to use than physical controls. On the plus side, you get proper buttons on the steering wheel for cruise control and audio settings. There's a big rotary dial on the centre console, which covers two functions: adjusting the stereo volume and scrolling through the various drive modes.

The Tiguan’s smart interior offers plenty of soft-touch, leather-like materials on the doors and dashboard, while gloss black and silver trim finishers add a bit of visual flair. Life trim comes with a strip of ambient lighting on the dash, while Elegance and R-Line versions have additional patterned lighting on the dash and doors. The controls and switches operate with reassuring precision.

You'll find some hard, scratchy plastics lower down on the dashboard, but they're kept away from the areas you touch regularly. Even so, upmarket family SUVs, such as the Genesis GV70 and the XC40, have classier interiors that feel slightly better screwed together than the Tiguan's – the infotainment screen, for example, creaks when you prod it.

“I like the physical rotary controller on the Tiguan's centre console, but it’s a shame it doesn’t operate more of the touchscreen’s functions.” – Steve Huntingford, Editor

There’s plenty of head and leg room for taller people in the front of the VW Tiguan, and storage space is impressive, too. The front door pockets can hold a fairly large bottle, there's a cubby below the centre armrest with two cupholders, and space for a pair of phones below the centre air vents.

Leg room is generous in the rear seats, and there's plenty of space for feet underneath the front seats as well. There’s also loads of head room. Even with optional panoramic roof fitted, which zaps space, there's still enough room for six-footers to sit up without their head touching the roof lining.

If you’re only carrying a couple of rear passengers, they can use the central armrest, which includes two cupholders and somewhere to hold your phone upright for watching videos. Or, if the middle rear-seat is needed, it's spacious enough for short journeys – but whoever sits there has to straddle a small hump on the floor. 

Note that you can no longer buy the Tiguan Allspace seven-seater new – it's been replaced by the VW Tayron. So, if you need seven seats, the current Tiguan isn't for you.

All Tiguans come with 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, which are more versatile than the 60/40 split you’ll find in a Seat Ateca or Volvo XC40. The rear bench also slides back and forth to prioritise rear leg room or boot space, the backrest reclines to improve comfort, and you can fold the rear seats completely flat using handles in the boot. 

Regular petrol and diesel Tiguans have a seriously big boot by class standards, at 652 litres. Bear in mind that the PHEVs lose quite a lot of boot volume thanks to the hybrid tech, so the volume drops down to 490 litres. The load area is a uniform shape, and all non-PHEV versions come with a height-adjustable boot floor. It lets you divide the boot into two parts and also creates a flat loading area when the rear seat backs are folded down and the floor's raised.

With the floor in its lowest position, a non-PHEV Tiguan's boot is big enough to swallow nine carry-on suitcases, which is two more than an XC40 and four more than a Mini Countryman C.

“I was quite surprised by the amount of boot space you lose by choosing a PHEV Tiguan rather than one of the other versions.” – Doug Revolta, Head of Video

Entry-level versions of the VW Tiguan cost more than the equivalent Kia Sportage, Mini Countryman, Seat Ateca or Skoda Karoq. If you pay more for a mid-level Tiguan, it'll be a similar price to a BMW X1 or Volvo XC40.

With official fuel economy figures of around 47mpg and CO2 output at around 135g/km for both the 1.5-litre petrols, they should cost a similar amount to run as most rivals. We achieved a real-world figure of 38.1mpg when we tested a 1.5 eTSI 150 on our test route – slightly ahead of a Countryman C (37.2mpg) and XC40 Be (35.6mpg).

Company car drivers will find themselves drawn to the eHybrid plug-in hybrids because their electric-only ranges and low CO2 emissions place them in a lower BIK tax bracket than other Tiguans. The eHybrids have a maximum charging speed of up to 40kW, which means a fast charger will top the battery up from 5 to 80 per cent in around 25 minutes.

There are a total of five trim levels to choose from, kicking off with the entry-level Life. This comes reasonably well kitted out with 18in alloy wheels, three-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, ambient lighting, power-folding door mirrors, and the other bits we've already mentioned, including wireless phone-charging, front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera.

We'd go for Match trim, though, because the price jump isn't huge and it adds keyless entry, a powered tailgate and rear privacy glass. There are also a lot more engines to choose from. 

If you want even more luxuries, Elegance is for you. Additions include 19in alloy wheels, extra ambient lighting features and heated and massaging front seats. It’s rather pricey though, costing slightly more than a top-spec Kia Sportage GT Line S.

R-Line comes with the same add-ons as Elegance but also sportier styling and bigger 20in alloy wheels, while Black Edition is very pricey but comes with extras such as matrix LED headlights and adaptive cruise control with steering assist – basically, semi-autonomous driving.

Sadly, the latest Tiguan performed poorly in the 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey, with 81% of the cars we were told about suffering a fault. The one saving grace was that Volkswagen covered the cost of all repairs.

Volkswagen’s standard warranty runs for two years with unlimited mileage then a further year up to a total of 60,000 miles. That’s par for the course, and doesn’t match the seven years you get from Kia or the 10 years Toyota gives you if you service your car regularly at an official centre.

The Tiguan scored the full five stars for safety when it was tested by Euro NCAP. All versions come with automatic emergency braking (AEB) and lane-keeping assistance, as well as traffic-sign recognition and a system that monitors driver fatigue. You also get blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert to warn of approaching vehicles behind you.

“I’m impressed with the Tiguan plug-in hybrid’s maximum charging rate of 40kW. That means I can add a good amount of range in under half and hour.” – Darren Moss, Deputy Digital Editor

Buy it if...

- You want an SUV that's enjoyable to drive, but aren't prepared to compromise on comfort

- You need a practical and versatile family car

- You're looking for a plug-in hybrid with a huge electric range

Don't buy it if...

- You get frustrated by touch-sensitive controls

- You're hunting for a bargain

- You're looking for a car with a reassuring reliability record

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