The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Is a Value Meal On Wheels: Review

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan: A Worthy Successor

Photograph by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1

The brand new 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan is an enchancment over its predecessor in practically each means; it’s lighter, packs extra customary know-how, has extra energy, and stays inexpensive in a market affected by dear SUVs.

The up to date Tiguan weighs 170 kilos lower than its predecessor, using on VW’s MQB Evo structure. In consequence, it achieves a greater gas economic system, which ought to please cost-conscious consumers in search of worth within the compact crossover section whereas being extra pleasant to drive. 

The Tiguan has a chic new design with out trying smooth. It’s shorter total than the 2024 mannequin it replaces, too, however it retains the identical wheelbase, giving it a more durable stance enhanced by the sharper bodywork. 

The Tiguan is VW’s best-selling mannequin in America, with gross sales up 23.8 p.c final yr, regardless that the second-gen mannequin launched for 2018. Volkswagen has quite a bit using on the Tiguan, and the up to date model we drove in dreary Montana, an SEL R-Line, provides the automaker a worthy entry within the section. 

Engine, Horsepower, Drivetrain: Pleasantly Forgettable

Photograph by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1

The 2025 Tiguan’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine makes extra energy than the outgoing mannequin—201 horsepower versus 184. Volkswagen says the facility enhance comes from a brand new turbocharger, injection system, and camshaft design. It pairs with an eight-speed transmission that’s nice for on a regular basis driving.

Entrance-wheel drive is customary, however 4Motion all-wheel drive is non-obligatory on each trim besides the SEL R-Line, the place it’s customary. The 4Motion model advantages from making a bit extra torque than the FWD model, delivering 221 pound-feet in comparison with simply 207. 

The Tiguan prioritizes effectivity over enjoyable, even within the accessible Sport mode. Nonetheless, potential consumers seemingly aren’t too involved about efficiency specs on this section as a result of it makes up for what the Tiguan lacks in energy (and might be rectified later with the Turbo) with know-how and luxury.

Know-how, Infotainment, Inside: Luxurious Options, Finances Value

Photograph by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1

The usual infotainment display screen measures 12.9 inches, however the top-line Tiguan SEL R-line trim I drove will get a giant, brilliant 15.0-inch central show. It was fast and responsive, and regardless of having to dig by menus for particular settings, they had been intuitive to search out with only a few faucets. VW’s 10.3-inch driver show is customary. 

A row of local weather controls sits on the backside of the display screen, whereas a row on the high left gives entry to the app drawer, automobile settings, navigation, cellphone, and media. There’s even a devoted button to disable the automated on-off characteristic. That’s good, however the display screen has illuminated contact sliders for the amount and temperature controls dealing with upward, which had been exhausting to see clearly within the daytime glare.

There’s a central management knob on the middle console between the start-stop and parking brake buttons. It primarily controls quantity, however you possibly can click on the display screen within the middle to rotate by the drive modes or “atmospheres”—software program that synchronizes the ambient lighting and audio. The settings seem on the central show, so that you don’t must avert your eyes too removed from the street, however swiping between the 2 choices stays finicky. 

Volkswagen moved the gear shifter to the column, liberating up 7.6 liters of cupboard space within the middle console. The SEL R-Line options actual wooden sprint accents with smooth, comfy quilted leather-based seats. Heated entrance seats are customary on the Tiguan, however the high trim has ventilated and massaging fronts, too, and you may direct the heating or cooling to the cushion or seatback for higher consolation and customizability. 

The SEL R-Line additionally contains rear local weather management and outboard rear seats. Nonetheless, VW has discontinued the third-row possibility for the Tiguan, citing buyer suggestions. 

Design: Americanized 

Photograph by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1

The 2025 Tiguan has an all-new exterior design with shorter overhangs and wheels moved outward to offer it a boxier stance. The SEL R-Line has 20-inch wheels, illuminated entrance and rear logos and light-weight bars, body-color facet sills and mirrors, and silver roof rails that present a little bit of magnificence to an in any other case fashionable crossover. Nonetheless, the broad, black grille is a tad overpowering, and VW replicates the mesh styling on the rear bumper.

Drive Impressions: Quiet & Snug

Photograph by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1

Whereas the 2025 Tiguan has extra energy than earlier than, the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine remains to be transferring a 3,800-pound crossover, and it’s noticeable. The journey is agency however comfy, and the cabin is usually quiet, with only a little bit of audible street noise. The steering is on the heavier facet, however it by no means feels tiring.

The Tiguan isn’t fast, however you gained’t fear about darting by site visitors as wanted or passing a slow-moving automotive. Nonetheless, getting used to the brake pedal will take time; it requires plenty of journey earlier than confidently participating the brakes and slowing the automobile. The 4Motion all-wheel-drive system handles the moist Montana roads of our route with out concern, even when pushing the crossover. 

Gasoline Economic system: Improved Throughout the Board

Photograph by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1

The 2025 Tiguan may make extra energy, however the crossover is lighter, too, which suggests the gas economic system advantages. The Tiguan SEL R-Line with all-wheel drive is rated at 22 miles per gallon metropolis, 30 freeway, and 25 mixed. The entry-level, front-wheel-drive S will get 26 metropolis, 34 freeway, and 29 mixed. The SE trims return 25 metropolis, 32 freeway, and 28 mixed.  

Pricing + Verdict: A Trendy Worth

Photograph by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1

My totally loaded Tiguan SEL R-Line 4Motion tester prices $41,180 (the worth contains the $1,425 vacation spot cost). It’s the highest trim, for now, and comes with unique goodies like a 15.0-inch infotainment show, three-zone local weather management, heated rear outboard seats, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, and a number of other visible enhancements that separate it from the opposite trims. The one possibility accessible is the black roof and mirror caps package deal that prices $395.

The Tiguan feels such as you get plenty of crossover for not some huge cash. The SEL R-Line is the highest of the lineup, however there aren’t lots of the must-have options that separate it from the lesser trims. There’s a small display screen on the decrease grades and smaller wheels, however VW ensured the whole vary has many must-have options. 

The model’s IQ Drive suite of security know-how is customary throughout the vary alongside creature comforts like cooled 15-watt wi-fi charging, heated entrance seats, rain-sensing wipers, two-zone local weather management, VW’s 12.9-inch MIB4 infotainment show, 10 airbags—together with a middle airbag between the entrance seats—and extra. 

This all comes on the entry-level 2025 Tiguan, which is just $615 dearer than the 2024, beginning at $30,920. The SEL R-Line is $10,000 extra however provides a stage of attainable luxurious that makes the Tiguan nicer than its MSRP suggests.  

Rivals