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Used 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV Trims Comparison

Trim level differences

The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan comes in four trim levels: S, SE, SEL and SEL Premium. There can be some confusion, however. Volkswagen is also selling the old Tiguan this year. It's called the Tiguan Limited (reviewed separately).

Standard features for the Limited include 16-inch wheels, black cloth upholstery, a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, a 5-inch touchscreen display, and an audio system with radio, CD player and SD card reader.

The first step up is the Tiguan S, and it's the base trim for the redesigned Tiguan. The new Tiguan features a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine (184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque) that's connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional.

Tiguan S features include 17-inch wheels, roof rails, heated side mirrors, automatic headlights, adaptive foglights, a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, a 6.5-inch touchscreen display, a USB port, a six-speaker sound system and VW's Car-Net App Connect, which controls select smartphone apps from the touchscreen and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

The optional Driver Assistance package adds forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

The SE includes those Driver Assistance features, plus heated washer nozzles, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone climate control, simulated leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver's seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite and HD radio, voice commands, two extra USB ports and the Car-Net Security & Service (remote access to the vehicle through a smartphone app, automatic crash notification, and monitoring services for young drivers). A panoramic sunroof is optional on the SE.

The SEL comes standard with the sunroof and adds 18-inch wheels, a power liftgate, remote start, adaptive cruise control, navigation and Car-Net Guide & Inform (displays real-time traffic, weather and nearby fuel prices).

Finally, the SEL Premium adds adaptive LED headlights, automatic wipers, a hands-free liftgate, a digital gauge cluster, leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, a nine-speaker premium Fender sound system, and extra driver assistance features including a top-down parking camera system, lane departure warning and intervention, front and rear parking sensors, and automatic high-beam control.

The R-Line package offered on SEL and SEL Premium trims includes larger wheels (19-inch for SEL, 20-inch for SEL Premium), sportier exterior styling elements and, for the SEL, front and rear parking sensors.

Which Tiguan trim does Edmunds recommend?

The base Tiguan S is a great value, with standard three-row seating (optional with all-wheel drive), a rearview camera and roof rails for weekend adventurers. But if you can stretch your budget, the SE is a smart buy. Upgrades includes keyless entry and ignition, simulated leather upholstery, heated front seats and a larger touchscreen tech interface. The SEL and SEL Premium offer a few more amenities, but we think the SE will hit the sweet spot for most buyers.

Compare trims side-by-side

Comparing average pricing near
Allentown, PA
Vehicle
Tiguan S
Tiguan S 4Motion
Tiguan SE
Tiguan SE 4Motion
Tiguan SEL
Tiguan SEL 4Motion
Tiguan SEL Premium
Tiguan SEL Premium 4Motion
Vehicle
S
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A
See all Tiguan S for sale
S 4Motion
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A
See all Tiguan S 4Motion for sale
SE 4Motion
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A
See all Tiguan SE 4Motion for sale
SEL
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A
See all Tiguan SEL for sale
SEL 4Motion
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A
See all Tiguan SEL 4Motion for sale
2 for sale near you
SEL Premium
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A
See all Tiguan SEL Premium for sale
SEL Premium 4Motion
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A
See all Tiguan SEL Premium 4Motion for sale
1 for sale near you
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Section Title

Features

Features

Features

Features

Features

Features

Features

Features

Bluetooth
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Navigation
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
standard
standard
standard
standard
Satellite radio
Not Available
Not Available
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Keyless Ignition
Not Available
Not Available
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Cruise control
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Adaptive cruise control
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
standard
standard
standard
standard
Parking assistance
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
optional
optional
standard
standard
Upholstery
cloth
cloth
leatherette
leatherette
leatherette
leatherette
leather
leather
Heated seats
Not Available
Not Available
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Cooled/Ventilated seats
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Folding rear seats
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Sunroof
Not Available
Not Available
optional
optional
standard
standard
standard
standard
Section Title

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Drivetrain
front wheel drive
all wheel drive
front wheel drive
all wheel drive
front wheel drive
all wheel drive
front wheel drive
all wheel drive
Engine power
184 hp @ 4,400 rpm
184 hp @ 4,400 rpm
184 hp @ 4,400 rpm
184 hp @ 4,400 rpm
184 hp @ 4,400 rpm
184 hp @ 4,400 rpm
184 hp @ 4,400 rpm
184 hp @ 4,400 rpm
Engine torque
221 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm
221 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm
221 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm
221 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm
221 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm
221 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm
221 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm
221 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm
Engine displacement
2.0 l
2.0 l
2.0 l
2.0 l
2.0 l
2.0 l
2.0 l
2.0 l
Engine configuration
inline 4
inline 4
inline 4
inline 4
inline 4
inline 4
inline 4
inline 4
Transmission
8-speed shiftable automatic
8-speed shiftable automatic
8-speed shiftable automatic
8-speed shiftable automatic
8-speed shiftable automatic
8-speed shiftable automatic
8-speed shiftable automatic
8-speed shiftable automatic
Tire size
215/65R17
215/65R17
215/65R17
215/65R17
235/55R18
235/55R18
235/50R19
235/50R19
Wheel size
17 X 7.0-in
17 X 7.0-in
17 X 7.0-in
17 X 7.0-in
18 X 7.0-in
18 X 7.0-in
19 X 7.0-in
19 X 7.0-in
Wheel type
alloy wheels
alloy wheels
alloy wheels
alloy wheels
alloy wheels
alloy wheels
alloy wheels
alloy wheels
Run flat tires
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Section Title

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

City/Hwy/Combined MPG
22 / 27 / 24 MPG
21 / 27 / 23 MPG
22 / 27 / 24 MPG
21 / 27 / 23 MPG
22 / 27 / 24 MPG
21 / 27 / 23 MPG
22 / 27 / 24 MPG
21 / 27 / 23 MPG
City/Hwy/Combined MPGe
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Fuel Capacity
15.3 gal.
15.9 gal.
15.3 gal.
15.9 gal.
15.3 gal.
15.9 gal.
15.3 gal.
15.9 gal.
Driving Range (city/hwy)
337 / 413 miles
334 / 429 miles
337 / 413 miles
334 / 429 miles
337 / 413 miles
334 / 429 miles
337 / 413 miles
334 / 429 miles
Fuel Type
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
Section Title

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Turning circle
37.7 ft.
37.7 ft.
37.7 ft.
37.7 ft.
37.7 ft.
37.7 ft.
37.7 ft.
37.7 ft.
Curb weight
3,777 lb.
3,858 lb.
3,777 lb.
3,858 lb.
3,777 lb.
3,858 lb.
3,777 lb.
3,858 lb.
Ground Clearance
7.9 in.
7.9 in.
7.9 in.
7.9 in.
7.9 in.
7.9 in.
7.9 in.
7.9 in.
Overall Width with Mirrors
Overall Width without Mirrors
72.4 in.
72.4 in.
72.4 in.
72.4 in.
72.4 in.
72.4 in.
72.4 in.
72.4 in.
Height
66.3 in.
66.3 in.
66.3 in.
66.3 in.
66.3 in.
66.3 in.
66.3 in.
66.3 in.
Length
185.1 in.
185.1 in.
185.1 in.
185.1 in.
185.1 in.
185.1 in.
185.1 in.
185.1 in.
Wheelbase
109.8 in.
109.8 in.
109.8 in.
109.8 in.
109.8 in.
109.8 in.
109.8 in.
109.8 in.
Seating Capacity
Cargo Space
12.0 cu. ft.
37.6 cu. ft.
12.0 cu. ft.
37.6 cu. ft.
12.0 cu. ft.
37.6 cu. ft.
12.0 cu. ft.
37.6 cu. ft.
Front Head Room
39.6 in.
39.6 in.
39.6 in.
39.6 in.
39.6 in.
39.6 in.
39.6 in.
39.6 in.
Front Leg Room
40.2 in.
40.2 in.
40.2 in.
40.2 in.
40.2 in.
40.2 in.
40.2 in.
40.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room
57.0 in.
57.0 in.
57.0 in.
57.0 in.
57.0 in.
57.0 in.
57.0 in.
57.0 in.
Rear Head Room
39.1 in.
38.9 in.
39.1 in.
38.9 in.
39.1 in.
38.9 in.
39.1 in.
38.9 in.
Rear Leg Room
36.5 in.
38.7 in.
36.5 in.
38.7 in.
36.5 in.
38.7 in.
36.5 in.
38.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room
55.9 in.
55.8 in.
55.9 in.
55.8 in.
55.9 in.
55.8 in.
55.9 in.
55.8 in.
Section Title

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

True Cost to Own®
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Average Cost Per Mile
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Depreciation
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Financing
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Taxes & Fees
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Fuel
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Insurance
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Maintenance
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Repairs
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Section Title

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Interior
Titan Black, cloth
Storm Gray, cloth
Titan Black, cloth
Storm Gray, cloth
Titan Black, leatherette
Storm Gray, leatherette
Golden Oak/Black, leatherette
Titan Black, leatherette
Storm Gray, leatherette
Golden Oak/Black, leatherette
Titan Black, leatherette
Storm Gray, leatherette
Golden Oak/Black, leatherette
Titan Black, leatherette
Storm Gray, leatherette
Golden Oak/Black, leatherette
Titan Black, premium leather
Saffrano/Black, premium leather
Storm Gray, premium leather
Titan Black, premium leather
Saffrano/Black, premium leather
Storm Gray, premium leather
Exterior
Pure White
Cardinal Red Metallic
Habanero Orange Metallic
White Silver Metallic
Platinum Gray Metallic
Silk Blue Metallic
Dark Moss Green Metallic
Deep Black Pearl
Pure White
Cardinal Red Metallic
Habanero Orange Metallic
White Silver Metallic
Platinum Gray Metallic
Silk Blue Metallic
Dark Moss Green Metallic
Deep Black Pearl
Pure White
Cardinal Red Metallic
Habanero Orange Metallic
White Silver Metallic
Platinum Gray Metallic
Silk Blue Metallic
Dark Moss Green Metallic
Deep Black Pearl
Pure White
Cardinal Red Metallic
Habanero Orange Metallic
White Silver Metallic
Platinum Gray Metallic
Silk Blue Metallic
Dark Moss Green Metallic
Deep Black Pearl
Pure White
Cardinal Red Metallic
Habanero Orange Metallic
White Silver Metallic
Platinum Gray Metallic
Silk Blue Metallic
Dark Moss Green Metallic
Deep Black Pearl
Pure White
Cardinal Red Metallic
Habanero Orange Metallic
White Silver Metallic
Platinum Gray Metallic
Silk Blue Metallic
Dark Moss Green Metallic
Deep Black Pearl
Pure White
Cardinal Red Metallic
Habanero Orange Metallic
White Silver Metallic
Platinum Gray Metallic
Silk Blue Metallic
Dark Moss Green Metallic
Deep Black Pearl
Pure White
Cardinal Red Metallic
Habanero Orange Metallic
White Silver Metallic
Platinum Gray Metallic
Silk Blue Metallic
Dark Moss Green Metallic
Deep Black Pearl