Name: Volkswagen Tiguan Review
Item: Volkswagen Tiguan
Author: Gumtree.com

Since 2007, the Volkswagen Tiguan has been winning over drivers left and right with its compact crossover SUV appeal. Combining elements of an off-roading sports utility vehicle with a comfortable passenger car, the Tiguan is a solid, practical choice. To back up its streamlined appearance, you can expect the usual Volkswagen craftsmanship and attention to detail. Plus, there are a number of customisation options on offer, along with front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive variants. Smooth handling and a relatively efficient engine make this an ideal family car – whether you’re driving around town or adventuring further afield.

Explore available Volkswagen Tiguans and learn more about the model

What we think about the Volkswagen Tiguan

A practical family car that’s fun to drive, the VW Tiguan is tough to beat. It’s built with the subtle style of most Volkswagen vehicles and boasts a comfy interior, responsive steering, and decent off-roading ability.

Pros

High-quality interior

Powerful engine with excellent trim options

Cons

–

Expensive end of its class

–

Lacks the adventure of an all-terrain SUV

Since 2019, all Tiguan Volkswagen models have come with an 8-speed, 184 bhp turbocharged petrol engine. These newer models also come with seven seats, whereas pre-2019 Tiguan’s only have five. There are several trims to choose from, the most advanced being the Tiguan SEL Premium. Generally, Tiguans boast impressive fuel economy and a high safety rating.

Driving performance of the Volkswagen Tiguan

Our Driving Rating8 / 10

Handling is one the Tiguan’s better features, particularly if you’re just taking it for a spin around town. It has smooth, responsive steering, which is great for neat cornering. That said, the suspension can feel a little stiff in the front-wheel drive model, which isn’t ideal if you’re regularly taking it off-road or along bumpier countryside routes. Some drivers may also find that the brake pedal can be a little soft in comparison to similar SUVs.

Safety and reliability of the Volkswagen Tiguan

Our Safety Rating8 / 10

The Volkswagen Tiguan received a five-star rating from Euro NCAP for its 2016 model, and we’re confident that the 2020 model will achieve the same. These latest models boast a number of advanced safety features, and most of them come as standard. Owners of newer Tiguans can expect auto-braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and a rear traffic alert system. Its reliability has been ranked slightly above average, though problems were reported more regularly in older models.

Under the bonnet of the Volkswagen Tiguan

Our Engine Rating8 / 10

The Volkswagen Tiguan has a 184 bhp, turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine as standard, with a 2.0-litre capacity and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Diesel versions are available if you don’t mind going back to the 2017 model, but they’re absent from the newer line-ups. Overall, power and top speed are good, but the acceleration isn’t as impressive. Turbo lag and other issues lead to a rather sluggish 0-60 mph of 9.1 seconds for the four-wheel drive SEL Premium version of the 2019 Tiguan. Meanwhile, the front-wheel drive manages 8.2 seconds. Don’t worry, it certainly won’t underwhelm – but it won’t exhilarate either.

What you'll find in the Volkswagen Tiguan

Our Design Rating9 / 10

Following a design overhaul in 2019, the most recent Tiguan offers a sleek and stylish aesthetic – it’s quite a design feat, given its relatively large size. The sporty look is a good balance of low-key city sharpness and off-roading rugged charm. It’s a relatively long vehicle – the standard version comes in at 185 inches, with a height of around 66 inches – and an extra ten inches of height was added with the 2021 range. As this is only a medium SUV, you won’t get steps, spoilers, or underbody protection as standard – but LED headlights are fitted on all versions.

Comfort and interiors in the Volkswagen Tiguan

Our Comfort Rating9 / 10

The post-2019 Tiguan’s interior is the right mix of elegant design, generous space and high-quality aesthetics. The seven seats are built with your comfort in mind and provide excellent legroom – much to the relief for your taller friends and family. Volkswagen has made this space extremely practical and efficient, so it feels much roomier than it really is. Boot space is about average for a medium SUV, with 65.7 cubic feet available behind the front row when all five rear seats are folded down.

What features you'll find in the Volkswagen Tiguan

Our Features Rating8 / 10

The latest Tiguan’s dashboard display is digital and measures 8.0 or 10.3 inches, depending on the trim level. There’s also a large glass touchscreen offering the VW infotainment system, CarNet. It comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, which is a huge benefit for smartphone-synced functionality, and also allows kids to navigate the interface with ease. Audiophiles might be interested in splashing out on an upgrade to the SEL Premium trim, which offers a 480-watt nine-speaker audio system created specifically for the VW Tiguan by music industry veterans Fender.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Volkswagen Tiguan

Our Fuel Consumption Rating9 / 10

The 2019 version of the VW Tiguan managed to provide just over 30 miles to the gallon of premium unleaded petrol, which outperforms most other SUVs in its class. In terms of fuel economy, the four-wheel drive model slightly beats the front-wheel drive. This is an excellent result for those who want to take the Tiguan on longer drives, though its efficiency is likely to be less impressive for everyday city commutes. More recent models have reported slightly lower figures than these, while the diesel engines from 2017 and before are more efficient.

Running costs of the Volkswagen Tiguan

Our Cost Rating7 / 10

The decent fuel efficiency of the VW Tiguan makes it a relatively inexpensive SUV to run, particularly in comparison to more performance-focused vehicles. The manufacturer warranty for the 2020 model lasts for four years of service, which is a drop from the six years offered by Volkswagen for the 2018 and 2019 versions. However, it’s still one of the most generous coverage periods available in this class. Service costs average out relatively high for the Tiguan, but it’s a reasonably issue-free car in general.

Our verdict of the Volkswagen Tiguan

4.5 / 5 Gumtree rating

The Volkswagen Tiguan offers comfort, style and performance. Suitable for both family life and off-road adventures, it's a chance to discover the thrill of SUV-driving.

Volkswagen Tiguan Review