Pros
- Updated, attractive exterior styling
- Cool digital gauge cluster display now standard
Cons
- Microscopic third row seats
- Turbo-four engine needs more oomph
The U.S.-market Tiguan is something of an in-betweener, larger than most direct competitors yet smaller than every conventional three-row SUV. The first-generation Tiguan was introduced for the 2007 model year, and the current second-generation model went on sale for 2018 with an available third row. It's expected to receive a midcycle refresh for 2022, previewed by the model that debuted in Europe last year.
What's New
- Fresh exterior styling with new LED headlights and taillights
- Reworked interior details including the steering wheel and seating upholstery
- A digital gauge cluster display becomes standard on all models
- Touch-sensitive controls on certain trim levels
- Expanded availability of driver-assist and active-safety features
What We Think
The pre-refresh Tiguan intrigued us with its sharp styling and the prospect of a third row being offered in an SUV with such a compact footprint. Then we drove it, and became perplexed.
Contradictions confound the pre-2022 Tiguan's dynamics-we look forward to driving the updated model soon. Acceleration on pre-2022 models feels eager off the line, but the engine runs out of steam at highway speeds. Ride quality feels better on the highway than around town-provided the road is smooth, since it's harsh on uneven surfaces. Odd, too, is the Tiguan's handling, which in pre-2022 models gave the impression that the front and rear ends aren't connected. All that aside, the optional 4Motion AWD system is capable in loose conditions.
The Tiguan's available third row is part of its on-paper appeal, but anyone taller than a child will be miserable back there-it's tiny. Regardless of the number of seats equipped, the Tiguan's plasticky interior feels cheap-it's possible the refreshed 2022 model has improved here, along with the updated tech offerings.
The pre-refresh Tiguan placed near the bottom of our compact crossover rankings. For it to improve, the 2022 model will need to bring more than meets the eye.
Performance and Fuel Economy
The Tiguan's sole engine offering is a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine that produces 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. It's connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission, driving the front wheels as standard or Volkswagens' 4Motion AWD system optionally. In MotorTrend testing, a 4Motion-equipped Tiguan accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 8.6 seconds. EPA-rated fuel economy should be close to the 2021 Tiguan's 23/29 mpg city/highway for FWD models, and 21/27 mpg for AWD models.
Safety
Standard driver-assist and active safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and rain-sensing windshield wipers are included on all trim levels above the base.
Does the Tiguan Have Third-Row Seating?
The Tiguan manages to fit three rows of seats into its compact footprint, although its third row is extraordinarily cramped. Tiguan models with FWD have the third row as standard, but AWD models make it optional.
The Tiguan's front-row headroom measures 39.6 inches (in the pre-2022 model; we don't expect any changes with interior specs), which compares to 40.3 inches in the Kia Sorento, a slightly more expensive SUV that also has an occasional-use third row. Second-row headroom is 39.3 inches in three-row models or 38.9 inches in two-row models, both close to the Sorento's 39.1 inches. There are just 33.8 inches of headroom in the third row of Tiguans so equipped, less than the 36.8 inches found in the Sorento's standard third row.
Front-row legroom is 40.2 inches in the Tiguan, slightly less than the Sorento's 41.4 inches. Second-row legroom measures 38.7 inches in two-row Tiguan models and 36.5 inches in three-row models, both trailing the Sorento's 41.7 inches by quite a lot. Third-row legroom is a torturous 27.9 inches in the Volkswagen, although the Kia's 29.6 inches isn't much better.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
Cargo space measures 12.0 cubic feet in Tiguans equipped with the third-row seat. Folding it down increases capacity to 33.3 cubic feet, while folding the second row as well takes maximum cargo space to 65.7 cubic feet.
It's a slightly different situation in two-row Tiguans. With the second-row seats upright cargo capacity measures 37.6 cubic feet, which increases to 73.5 cubes when those seats are folded down.
Technology
For 2022 the Tiguan receives a digital gauge display, measuring 8.0 inches as standard or 10.3 inches in higher-end trims. The standard infotainment touchscreen measures 6.5 inches, and increases to 8.0 inches in higher-end models.
The larger screen runs Volkswagen's updated MIB3 user interface with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and brings USB type-C ports in the first and second rows along with a wireless charging pad. Built-in navigation is available. On the steering wheel there are now touch-capacitive buttons, similar to what was added to the recently refreshed Arteon. A six-speaker audio system is standard, and a nine-speaker Fender premium setup is available. A 360-degree parking camera system is optional or included depending on trim.
What Is the Tiguan R-Line Package?
Let's make something clear: The Tiguan's driving performance isn't sporty. Nevertheless, Volkswagen's R-Line package helps it look like it is. On the Tiguan's exterior, the R-Line package adds aero-influenced front and rear bumpers, quad (fake) exhaust outlets, and package-specific alloy wheels.
Inside, the Tiguan R-Line gets metal pedal covers and a flat-bottom steering wheel with big thumb detents that actually feels really nice. Nothing changes under the hood, but the R-Line package gives the Tiguan more curbside appeal.
Key Competitors: