The Volkswagen Tiguan has carved a niche for itself in the crowded compact SUV market. While it might not scream excitement, it consistently earns praise for its well-rounded nature. Think of it as the dependable student who gets solid B grades across the board – not necessarily topping the class in any single subject, but reliably good in almost everything. This evenness is precisely why the Tiguan appeals to a broad range of buyers. But in a sea of competitors vying for attention, does the Tiguan do enough to stand out, or is it destined to blend into the background? Let’s delve into a comprehensive review to find out if the VW Tiguan is the right SUV for you.
Exterior Design: Familiar Yet Refined
The Tiguan’s design language is unmistakably Volkswagen. It’s a familiar silhouette that has evolved over the past decade, prioritizing a handsome and understated aesthetic over bold, flashy styling. The current generation maintains this approach, with clean lines and a mature presence. The R-Line trim, as tested, adds subtle sporty enhancements, aiming for a touch of Audi-esque sophistication. These tweaks successfully elevate the Tiguan’s visual appeal, giving it a slightly more premium feel without straying from its core understated design philosophy. While some might find the design conservative, its timeless quality ensures it won’t look dated quickly.
Interior and Comfort: Spaciousness with Minor Quirks
Inside, the Volkswagen Tiguan prioritizes practicality and space. Material quality has improved over the years, with softer touchpoints lending a hint of near-luxury. However, it stops short of truly challenging segment leaders like the Mazda CX-5 and CX-50 in outright premium feel. Passenger space is generous throughout the cabin, offering ample room for occupants in both rows. The rear seats, while spacious, are noted as being somewhat flat, potentially impacting comfort on longer journeys.
Volkswagen’s integration of haptic-touch controls is a point of contention. The Tiguan, unfortunately, adopts these touch-sensitive sliders on the steering wheel, which many find less intuitive and more distracting than traditional buttons. Another niggle is the overly enthusiastic warning chimes, particularly the loud beeps triggered by unfastened seatbelts or opening the driver’s door, even when parked. While passenger doors opening when parked are met with silence, the driver’s door triggers warnings, raising questions about the logic behind these safety alerts.
On the positive side, the infotainment system is user-friendly, and most controls are logically placed and easy to operate. The cabin remains reasonably quiet at highway speeds, contributing to a comfortable cruising experience. Overall, the Tiguan’s interior is functional and spacious, prioritizing practicality over outright luxury or groundbreaking design, a stark contrast to the more somber and less spacious interiors found in competitors like the Toyota RAV4.
Performance and Fuel Economy: Adequate but Uninspiring
Performance from the Tiguan’s 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is typical for the class – adequate but far from thrilling. An 8.5-second sprint to 60 mph reflects its modest acceleration capabilities. The throttle response from a standstill can be somewhat uneven, requiring careful modulation to avoid either sluggish starts or abrupt jolts. While Volkswagen pioneered mainstream turbocharging decades ago, the Tiguan’s engine performance doesn’t quite live up to expectations in terms of smoothness and responsiveness.
However, the Tiguan’s transmission avoids the overly aggressive upshifting and subsequent downshifting issues that have plagued some recent VW models, indicating an improvement in shift logic. Fuel economy is EPA-rated at 25 MPG combined, which is described as “fine” – neither exceptional nor particularly poor for the segment. This middling fuel efficiency, coupled with unremarkable acceleration, is perhaps unsurprising given the Tiguan’s relatively hefty 4,000-pound curb weight, which feels excessive for its class.
Driving Experience: Comfort and Ease of Use Prioritized
On the road, the Tiguan prioritizes ease of driving and comfort over dynamic thrills, aligning with the typical crossover driving experience. The light steering makes it effortless to maneuver, especially in urban environments and during long drives. Despite its lightness, the steering remains composed and stable on highways, which is a positive attribute.
However, the Tiguan is not designed for spirited driving on winding roads. While it maintains composure and the available 4Motion all-wheel-drive system provides confident traction in various conditions, it lacks the engaging and fun-to-drive character offered by competitors like Mazda’s CX-5 and CX-50. For those seeking a more dynamic driving experience in a compact SUV, Mazda remains the benchmark.
Conclusion: A Solid All-Rounder with Broad Appeal
The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan may not boast any single, standout feature, but its consistent competence across a wide range of areas elevates it to an above-average choice in the competitive compact SUV segment. Its competitive pricing, often undercutting higher trims of the Toyota RAV4, further strengthens its value proposition.
While driving enthusiasts seeking excitement and luxurious interiors might be better served by Mazda, the Tiguan holds significant appeal for buyers who prioritize a well-rounded, spacious, and comfortable SUV from a reputable German brand. Volkswagen’s brand cachet resonates with many consumers, and despite lacking a truly lust-worthy attribute, the Tiguan’s sales success speaks volumes about its broad appeal and ability to satisfy the needs of millions. For those seeking a dependable and practical SUV that capably handles everyday tasks without drama, the Volkswagen Tiguan is a worthy contender.
Pros:
- Spacious interior
- Consistent performance across various areas
- Comfortable ride
- User-friendly infotainment
Cons:
- Uninspiring engine performance
- Haptic steering wheel controls
- Mediocre fuel economy
