The 2024 Tiguan looks sharp and is one of just a few small SUVs that offer a third-row seat. It also has a comfortable ride and very good outward visibility. But questionable usefulness of the third row and some distracting-to-use controls keep the Tiguan from being a top pick.Read full review
Comprehensive driver assistance tech comes standard
Roomy interior and cargo area
Among the few small SUVs to offer a third-row seat
Cons
Third-row seat is super tight
Touch-sensing controls can be distracting to use while driving
Engine can be either too slow or too quick to respond
What's new
Previously optional driver assistance features now standard
Base model gains new features
Updated infotainment system
Part of the second Tiguan generation introduced for 2018
Overview
by the Edmunds Experts
10/13/2023
A compact crossover with surprisingly large interior space, the Tiguan brings sharp style and unexpected versatility to a crowded, competitive class. The Tiguan's elegant exterior lines echo the larger Volkswagen Atlas, and even pricer Audi and BMW crossovers, while the interior design — not especially imaginative — is nonetheless treated to premium materials and an intuitive layout. Smooth ride quality matches the Tiguan's upscale vibe, which extends to the strong, low-end power from its turbo engine. Some clunky gear changes mar the driving experience, and most rivals are slightly more fuel-efficient, but the Tiguan's overall sophistication makes it a top small SUV pick.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan S 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.35 per gallon for regular unleaded in Pennsylvania.
The Tiguan is slightly longer than a few close rivals but offers less front and rear legroom. It sounds counterintuitive, but instead the Tiguan has expansive cargo space — nearly 38 cubic feet puts it among best in class — that can be repurposed with two more seats. The third row comes standard unless you order all-wheel drive (in which case it's removed to accommodate extra AWD hardware underneath), and it folds flat when you don't need it. And while its utility is questionable, the Tiguan is among the few to offer it. Young kids will fit OK, but you won't want to strand tall passengers back there for long. Still, it's an appreciated feature for times when extra passengers need a short lift.
Competitors to consider
Small SUVs with an available third row are few, and ever fewer at the Tiguan's price. The Kia Sorento is our top pick. It's slightly longer, the extra row a bit roomier, and it's loaded with features. The base engine is sluggish, but there's an optional turbo. The recently redesigned Mitsubishi Outlander is stylish and comfortable and offers a plug-in hybrid. Pricier picks include the Land Rover Discovery and Mercedes-Benz GLB. If a third row isn't important, the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-50 are all class-leading considerations.
Edmunds Expert Rating
edmunds TESTED
by the Edmunds Experts
Average
7.6
out of 10
We drove the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Performance
7.5/10
How does the Tiguan drive? The turbocharged engine is reasonably strong. We tested a front-wheel-drive Tiguan and it accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 8.9 seconds, which is average for a small three-row SUV. But the Tiguan has a problem deploying its power smoothly and is somewhat prone to both underreacting and overreacting to moderate requests for more power. This makes it occasionally difficult to accelerate smoothly.
The steering has good accuracy and excellent weighting. Whether you're navigating a parking lot or a twisty road, the Tiguan is a willing partner. The brakes, too, are light and easy to manage. Smooth stops can be made without a second thought. Outright stopping power isn't the best, due in large part to fairly low-grip tires, but our test Tiguan demonstrated good stability and composure in our emergency braking tests.
Comfort
8.5/10
How comfortable is the Tiguan? With a ride that borders on plush, it's clear Volkswagen made comfort a priority with the Tiguan. Sharp bumps are nicely rounded off, and the highway ride manages to float over imperfections while maintaining very good body control. Even larger potholes are absorbed without much notice.
Once underway, the Tiguan boasts a quiet cabin with minimal engine, road and wind noise even at elevated speeds. The engine does sound somewhat crude when pulling away from a stop, but it blends into the background quickly. The climate system's touch-sensitive controls aren't our favorite, but the system otherwise provides good air coverage and adjustability.
Front seat comfort is OK, but we wish they offered a bit more support, especially in the bottom cushions, and better breathability. The outboard second-row seats offer welcome sculpting and bolstering, but the third-row seats are barely functional for anyone but small children.
Interior
7.5/10
How’s the interior? The Tiguan scores high marks for its highly adjustable driving position and good all-around visibility. And thanks to its large door openings, the Tiguan is very easy to step in and out of — so long as you're sitting in the first two rows. Climbing into the third row requires a lot of flexibility to squeeze through the narrow gap. Also, the second-row seats require some muscle to slide forward.
Third-row passengers will not enjoy the trip no matter how short it is. Space is tight — much tighter than in the third row of the Kia Sorento — because of limited headroom and legroom. The seats are flat and uncomfortable too. Second-row passengers might want a bit more legroom too. The Tiguan's rear legroom is far more generous if you don't get the third-row seat.
The interior of the Tiguan looks sleek. Unfortunately, Volkswagen has also made extensive use of touch-sensitive switches instead of physical buttons. These controls are easy to use when parked, and we appreciate the simulated tactile feedback from the steering wheel controls. But using these switches while driving can also draw your attention away from the road because you still have to look to pinpoint the one you want rather than go by feel as you can with a regular button.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Save as much as $4,299 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $4,299 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the SE R-Line Black trim.
How’s the tech? Our test vehicle was equipped with the 8-inch touchscreen. It has a neat feature that automatically displays some virtual buttons on the screen when your hand gets close to the screen. But for the price, the features seemed a bit thin, with no navigation and only the most basic information offered for vehicle status and various audio displays.
Thankfully smartphone integration through Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is standard, and front passengers get two USB-C ports. Our SE R-Line test model included wireless charging but offered only one USB-C port for second-row passengers and none for the third row.
We found the various advanced driver aids to be well behaved and easy to use. Our only gripe stems from the adaptive cruise control system, which was slow to respond in stop-and-go traffic. The Tiguan's lane keeping assistance works well on the open highway but loses its effectiveness on anything more than a gentle bend.
Storage
7.5/10
How’s the storage? Tiguans equipped with three rows of seats get 12 cubic feet behind the last row, which is on par for what you get from other compact three-row SUVs. Folding the third-row seats results in 33 cubes, and doing the same to the second-row seats maxes out the three-row Tiguan to 65.3 cubic feet. If cargo capacity is more important than passenger count, note that the two-row Tiguan offers 37.6 cubes and a more generous 73.4 cubes when all the seats are down. Those numbers are similar to those of other compact two-row SUVs like the RAV4 and CR-V.
Inside, the Tiguan treats its front occupants with fully lined door pockets and center console, so things don't rattle around as much. The cupholders work well to hold a variety of bottle sizes. There's even a handy tray on top of the dash for sunglasses. Towing is not the Tiguan's strong suit and it is rated for only 1,500 pounds once a hitch has been installed by the dealer. By contrast, the Kia Sorento can pull up to 3,500 pounds.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Fuel Economy
8.5/10
How’s the fuel economy? The front-wheel-drive Tiguan's EPA-estimated fuel economy of 26 mpg combined is unremarkable. In fact, that's very similar to the Kia Sorento, and that SUV has an extra 100 horsepower. But on Edmunds' real-world evaluation route, our test Tiguan returned an excellent 30 mpg, and did so using only the required 87 octane gasoline.
Value
7.5/10
Is the Tiguan a good value? If you're willing to pay for the extra versatility a third row of seating provides, the Tiguan can represent a fairly good bargain in the compact SUV segment. The materials and features don't always match what some rivals offer, but the Tiguan's overall look and style are premium and modern.
Volkswagen offers fairly standard warranties of four years/50,000 miles for both bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage. Roadside assistance is included for three years/36,000 miles, and free scheduled maintenance is a generous two years/20,000 miles.
Wildcard
7.5/10
Volkswagen styled the Tiguan to good effect. This compact SUV looks more expensive than it actually is. The driving experience is less appealing, however. It's a comfortable SUV but not particularly rewarding to drive.
Which Tiguan does Edmunds recommend?
The midlevel SE is more expensive than the entry-level Tiguan S, but the upgrades are worth the extra spend. A power liftgate, upgraded front seats, wireless Apple and Android connectivity, and dual-zone climate control make daily driving more comfortable and convenient, while the synthetic leather upholstery adds a more premium feel. It also lacks the annoying capacitive touch steering wheel controls of the upper SE R-Line Black trim.
2023 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
This is our second Tiguan, we just traded in our 2020 SEL 4 Motion for the 2023 SEL R line 4motion. We live in Alaska and are 325 miles from the dealership in Anchorage. Not even 1000 miles on the car and a massive oil leak on the front right, inboard cv axel seal failure. The seal of the transaxle output shaft to cv axel failed. Now all sorts of oil under the car, exhaust, cross … members. Probably just an issue with the seal, or cv axle installation at the factory. Just look to see if your 2023 Tiguan is leaking. We park in a garage, so it was easy to spot on the clean concrete floor. Everything else is great with the car.
Great, Sometimes Unfairly-maligned? Compact SUV
5 out of 5 stars
S&L'83, 05/02/2024
2024 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
I’m 64 years old. My wife and I have bought or leased a lot of vehicles over the years - Acura’s, Toyota’s, Honda’s, VW’s, Audi’s, Ford’s and GM. My last few cars were Audi sedans (45TFSI, 261 HP, 273 lb.-ft. torque, 3,700 lb. curb weight). I really enjoyed the Audi’s as they were efficient and fun to drive on our twisting, hilly rural roads, but we wanted to get a non-luxury compact … SUV this time. Of all the options, I liked the styling of the Tiguan best, but was concerned about acceleration based on some of the reviews and videos I had seen, the engine specs: 184 HP, 221 lb.-ft. torque, and the 4,000 lb. weight relative to what I was used to. I test-drove one though and was really OK with the performance so wondered if I was missing something or getting senile, so decided to test further. We like Honda’s - my wife drives a Ridgeline, so I test-drove the CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring. It was solid, but I wasn’t crazy about how it drove with the CVT even with the addition of the electric motors. I drove the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Limited and liked it better than the CR-V, but it didn’t seem to me to drive as good as the VW and it cost more (as did the CR-V) which I know is probably moot once the fuel savings are factored in. I crossed the Mazda CX-50 Turbo off the list based on concerns about seat and ride comfort, cabin noise and cost. Volkswagen reliability is a concern for some, but we’ve had a Passat, a couple of CC’s and Jetta’s and the quality has been very good, as has Audi’s; plus we’re leasing. Anyway, we decided to go with the Tiguan. It’s only been a month, but we are very happy with the decision. As for performance, we’ve driven it on interstate highways, two-lane highways, back roads, and in small towns, and have been thoroughly enjoying it. As other reviewers have noted, the secret is keeping your foot out of it - there is more than enough torque with a light, linear touch on the gas pedal. When I’ve needed to “punch it” (passing on hills for example), I simply pull the shifter down from Drive to Sport and have had the power I’ve needed. It is annoying though that VW offers European customers better power-plants than they do in the US. The steering and braking are good enough. The handling is composed and actually fun. Car and Driver describes the performance as “athletic if not breath-taking”, which I think is accurate. We like the appearance inside and out. It is roomy, the seats are comfortable (and supportive in hard turns), and the panoramic sunroof is a great feature. It is easier to get in and out of than the A4 which is a big help when chauffeuring our elderly mothers or grandchildren around. The reclining back seats are a plus. I’ve seen some complaints about the steering wheel, HVAC, and infotainment controls, and again fail to see the problem. They all work well and in some cases better than others I’ve used - swiping the volume on the steering wheel for example. I do miss paddle shifters (primarily to downshift) but am getting used to just using the shift lever instead. The engine sound is not all that refined - somewhat reminiscent of an old Beetle. The cabin is quiet though and does a great job of isolating road and wind noise; and the Fender audio system is very good - at least compared to what we are used to. The gas mileage has been better than advertised with regular to aggressive driving. The other day I drove 64 miles in ‘normal” mode on secondary roads and the trip computer showed 32 MPG. The ride quality is good. The headlights are the best I’ve ever experienced. The key fob isn’t great, but functional. The VW phone app is handy, as is the hands-free trunk lid feature. All-in-all, I recommend the Tiguan SEL R-Line, especially if you enjoy driving.
2022 Tiguan with 64k Miles - still great
5 out of 5 stars
NewEngland to Canada, 07/10/2023
2023 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
Bought this as a commuter car - 2022 SEL R-Line. First year was a 350 mile commute each way each week. 2nd year is a 550 mile commute each way, each week. 64k miles on the car since Jan. 2022. Car has been a great commuter.
Small warranty issues:
1) Memory seat module needing replacement 3 times
2) Infotainment unit being replaced one
3) Rear seat track needing replacement - all … under warranty.
Other negatives are:
1) Steering wheel does not go low enough
2) Very delayed throttle response from stop. Beyond turbo lag - its scary at times the amount of delay.
3) Inability to control some functions/settings while in motion
4) Speaker phone could be louder
But overall, an outstanding value. Great gas mileage, very comfortable at highway speeds for long distances, excellent in snow (blizzak tires installed), plenty of hauling space. Upscale interior for its price point / class. Essentially, a less expensive audi. I'm 6'0", 180 pound male. Seat goes back plenty far enough with room behind it for 2nd row passengers. Highly recommend this as a commuter.
Solid fundamentals but very glitchy electronics
3 out of 5 stars
Geo, 06/20/2023
2023 Volkswagen Tiguan SE R-Line Black 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
I bought my 2023 Tiguan R in November of 2022. I have over 8000km on it. Engine and transmission have no problems. The Tiguan is used to provide transportation for my disabled wife who cannot manage getting in and out of a regular size car anymore.
The road keeping navigation assist technology can be very glitchy with false alarms as can the audio be glitchy.
The worst glitch was while … driving on the highway, the road keeping system thought my hands were not on the wheel (when they were) and it slammed the brakes on at 60MPH for a brief moment with the cruise control on and me being near no other traffic at all.
It looks like VW hasn’t ironed out all of the bugs from the electronics.
Heated seats and heated steering wheel are great! Ride comfort is good but we shouldn’t have ordered the 20 inch rims. Ride comfort improves significantly with smaller rims.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan, so we've included reviews for other years of the Tiguan since its last redesign.
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Review | VW's Capable Compact SUV | MPG, Specs & More
NOTE: This video is about the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, but since the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
Among the few compact SUVs offering a third row of seats, the Kia Sorento is the most direct competitor to the Tiguan. The Sorento has many advantages over the Tiguan, with interior space and performance the biggest among them. But the Kia can be considerably more expensive than the VW, and its base engine is seriously underwhelming.
The CR-V has long been a benchmark for other compact SUVs and for good reason. Spacious, economical and thoughtfully designed, the CR-V provides a lot of things for a lot of buyers. It's also fully redesigned this year, with a slick new interior and hybrid powertrain that is both more efficient and powerful than the Tiguan's. The VW offers a third row of seats, but it's not enough to overcome the CR-V's overall excellence.
Based on the handsome CX-5, the new CX-50 blends adventuresome exterior styling with an upscale interior design and more off-road ability than you'll find in your average small SUV. The CX-50 offers a more powerful engine option than the Tiguan as well as a more user-friendly tech interface, but it lacks a third row of seats, a large cargo capacity and the comfortable ride of the Volkswagen.
Brings the Tiguan to a stop as soon as possible after a collision to limit or avoid a secondary crash after the airbags have deployed.
Travel Assist
A hands-on driver assist system that combines adaptive cruise control with a lane keeping system to reduce driver effort on the highway.
Emergency Assist
With Travel Assist active, Emergency Assist can detect an unresponsive driver and bring the Tiguan to a safe stop.
NHTSA Overall Rating 4 out of 5 stars
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
4 / 5
Driver
4 / 5
Passenger
4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Rating
Overall
5 / 5
Driver
5 / 5
Passenger
5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Rating
Front Seat
5 / 5
Back Seat
5 / 5
Rollover
Rating
Rollover
4 / 5
Dynamic Test Result
No Tip
Risk Of Rollover
16.9%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good
2024 Volkswagen Tiguan First Impressions
by Edmunds
•10/13/2023
What is the Tiguan?
The competition in the small SUV market is fierce, with every manufacturer needing to bring its A game to make its family- and wallet-friendly crossover stand out from the crowd. The Volkswagen Tiguan kind of fits the bill, impressing with a stylish exterior, lots of room inside, and a robust set of standard and optional features. It's also one of the only compact SUVs with an optional third row, adding to its versatility. However, the Tiguan's unhurried powertrain takes a beat to register a press of the accelerator, the touch-sensitive control panels can be frustrating to operate, and interior materials don't quite match up to segment leaders.
There seems to be good news on the horizon for Volkswagen fans, as thinly disguised Tiguan prototypes have been photographed testing on public roads over the last few months. And since the current Tiguan dates back to 2018, the time is right for a full redesign. A fully revamped Tiguan is expected to debut for the 2024 model year.
The new Tiguan is believed to be available in pure gasoline, plug-in hybrid and fully electric variants worldwide, and though we don't know which of these will come to the U.S., the gas engine is almost assured. Hopefully it's a bit peppier than the current powertrain, or the transmission is retuned to be more responsive. We are also crossing our fingers that VW rethinks the capacitive touch design that debuted on the ID.4 electric vehicle and is percolating throughout other models. The experience, as it stands now, is fairly user-unfriendly and may turn off prospective buyers as early as the test drive.
Edmunds says
Recently photographed prototypes suggest that the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan will be all-new. Stay tuned for Volkswagen to reveal the third generation of its ultra-popular compact SUV.
FAQ
Is the Volkswagen Tiguan a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2024 Tiguan both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.6 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2024 Tiguan gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 41 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that carrying capacity for the Tiguan ranges from 12.0 to 37.6 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Volkswagen Tiguan. Learn more
What's new in the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan:
Previously optional driver assistance features now standard
Base model gains new features
Updated infotainment system
Part of the second Tiguan generation introduced for 2018
To determine whether the Volkswagen Tiguan is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Tiguan. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Tiguan's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2024 Tiguan and gave it a 7.6 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2024 Tiguan gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 41 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2024 Tiguan is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan?
The least-expensive 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan is the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan S 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $28,880.
Other versions include:
S 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $28,880
S 4dr SUV AWD w/Prod. End 09/24 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $30,380
Wolfsburg Edition 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $30,995
SE 4dr SUV w/Prod. End 09/24 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $31,580
Wolfsburg Edition 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $32,495
SE 4dr SUV AWD w/Prod. End 09/24 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $33,080
SE R-Line Black 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $34,580
SE R-Line Black 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $36,080
SEL R-Line 4dr SUV AWD w/Prod. End 09/24 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $38,880
What are the different models of Volkswagen Tiguan?
If you're interested in the Volkswagen Tiguan, the next question is, which Tiguan model is right for you? Tiguan variants include S 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A), S 4dr SUV AWD w/Prod. End 09/24 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A), Wolfsburg Edition 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A), and SE 4dr SUV w/Prod. End 09/24 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A). For a full list of Tiguan models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more