Volkswagen Tiguan 2021 In-Depth Review - The Best Family SUV?

Volkswagen's much improved take on their second generation Tiguan mid-sized SUV delivers a high quality, well priced package that's now smarter and more efficient. All the car you'll ever really need? Many see it as just that.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00​ Introduction
00:46​ Background
03:28​ Driving Experience
18:51 Design & Build
30:23 Market & Model Range
54:27​ Cost of Ownership
1:07:50 Summary

Background

If you're planning to spend somewhere in the £25,000-£40,000 bracket on a mid-sized SUV or Crossover, you'll certainly not be short of choice. But choice can sometimes be a compromising thing - and so it is here. So for the premium badge you'd like on a car of this kind, you have to compromise on equipment. For the practicality you'll need, you have to compromise on trim and build quality. And for the all-wheel drive ability you'll maybe sometimes want, you've to compromise on tarmac driving pleasure. Volkswagen understands this, which is why in 2007, they brought us this car, the Tiguan, a contender in this class that was arguably less compromised than any other. A second generation version launched in 2016 and it's the updated version of that MK2 model we're looking at here.

The Tiguan model line has historically been hugely successful for Volkswagen, having accounted for nearly 6 million global sales to date. And the reasons aren't hard to fathom. Here, you've all the class of a Honda CR-V or a Toyota RAV4 at a significant saving in cost, pricing being not too much more than Far Eastern budget brand models in this segment. Let's see how the improved version of this car stacks up.

Driving Experience

As before, the Tiguan range is primarily based around a 1.5-litre TSI petrol unit with either 130 or 150PS. There's also a 2.0 TSI petrol unit offering either 190PS or 245PS, both variants featuring standard 4MOTION 4WD. For black pump devotees, there's a 2.0-litre TDI diesel, which now gets more efficient twin-dosing selective catalytic reduction system and in the mainstream range can be had in either 150PS or 200PS guises. You'll need the diesel option if you want 4MOTION 4WD. You can also now have a new PHEV 'eHybrid' petrol model which uses the same 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine and electric motor as the Golf GTE. This, Volkswagen says, will give the plug-in hybrid Tiguan an all-electric driving range of 31 miles and the ability to travel at speeds of up to 81mph in electric-only mode.

There's also a high performance Tiguan R variant which gets an up rated 320PS version of the 2.0-litre TSI petrol turbo engine already used in the T-Roc R. Like other R models, the Tiguan R gets 4MOTION four-wheel-drive and benefits from a clever torque vectoring function in the 4x4 system that can vary drive between front and rear axles, as well as between the left and right wheels. The R variant uses a 7-speed DSG auto gearbox and a Dynamic Chassis Control system which lowers the ride height by 10mm.

In the mainstream Tiguan range, 4MOTION 4WD is a particularly popular option, many buyers opting to stretch beyond the entry-level front-driven variants. The fifth-generation 4MOTION system provides a faster apportioning of power to all four wheels via a process that provides pre-activation of the rear clutch and improved operation of the electronic differentials. In 4x4 form, the car has 200mm of ground clearance, 11mm more than it would have in 2WD guise.

Design and Build

As before, there are two body shapes on offer. Our focus here is on the standard five-seat body style, but a seven-seat 'Allspace' variant continues to be also offered. Volkswagen claims that the re-designed front end of this updated Tiguan lends the car a significantly more confident appearance. There's a wider, more imposing radiator grille that's separated by full-LED headlights that can be ordered with VW's latest IQ.Light LED Matrix technology. The bumpers have also undergone a makeover. At the rear, Tiguan lettering is now in a prominent central position below the VW badge.

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[OsvUkVehicleSupply]

What do you make of the Volkswagen Tiguan?

[major]

The most informative review out there of this SUV. Well done.

[leonardmcneill]

An excellent presentation, although very technical, it was extremely informative to an amateur. Thank you. I have subsequently subscribed.

[RideOnTime]

These reviews are the best.
Absolutely.

[marcusskyfall]

Had an 08 plate top spec diesel sport, it was a lovely vehicle and stuck on like glue whenever the twisties came along 😂

[alanr]

Brilliant review, as always. I'm stuck between this and the new Qashqai. Hopefully you will be doing a review of the new Nissan very soon.

[Filip]

This is a very good review, I wish I have seen it earlier.

[onismusmanamela]

Tiquan is appealing. I just bought my 2021 Tiquan. Believe you me, the car is sharp sharp. Awesome.and elegant. I enjoy every moment in it

[Danny-]

3 years ago I got a Tiguan r line 150 tdi and it has been a fantastic family car, we liked it so much I just ordered a new one, and went for a RLine e hybrid. But have been estimated 6-8 months for delivery.
Fanatic car,

[annettewornin]

What a brilliant and informative review thank you

[kalervonuolenpaa]

Thank you for a very thorough review. I hope you make an update with the e-hybrid soon as this will interest us company drivers.

[stephenhill]

The Tiguan is a wonderful car. Love my 2021 1.5l 150 CV petrol DSG, although for my taste, slightly underpowered. But what a smooth and comfortable car to drive with tons of space even in my regular 5 seater. Not going to change it ever!

[keithhughes]

Anybody that knocks the Tiguan has obviously never driven one, I have a 2009 model and it's a great workhorse, living in France I drive on Chemins (country tracks) regularly and tow a trailer regularly, it never lets me down.

[tommyjahnke]

Just ordered my second Tiguan. Tried a lot of other cars pre this purchase such as the VolvoXC40, Peugeot 3008, Hyundai Tuscon and the Toyota Rav4. No other car comes close (Except maybe the Volvo which is a few centimeters too short)

[ooztpcl]

I've recently bought 2020 Tiguan R-line. I knew new face lift will arrives soon in Canada, instead I've chosen this one. Two main reasons: I prefer 2020 model front looks (more sharp looks), and due to the new model, I've got good deal. If I could able to buy new R performance in Canada, I would wait till this summer 😭
Overall, I am very satisfied with my car^^. Previous my 2019 RAV4 was awful...

[praveenkumarsaragadam]

Great and in-detail review.

Can you please make a comparison review of VW Tiguan PHEV vs Ford Kuga ST-line X PHEV?

[jonathanevans]

I have a great old Lexus hybrid 4 x 4 and realised recenly if you took it into a ford or flood it would probly blow up as betteries are under floor! Any thoughts?

[stevena]

Impressive presentation! The auto hold function is more than a hill hold device however and holds the brakes on in all situations once the car is brought to a halt. Essentially means you can take your foot of the gas pedal when pulled up at a red light in Drive.

[r.h.]

Very good video. I'm about to get one, non-R version, the Tiguan Elegance. I want to know how big a difference does Elegance have to R. I just got my answer, thank you

[thevintagent]

Great comprehensive review as usual. This is clearly a very good SUV, but just a bit expensive and not very exciting visually. Do I see 'Vauxhall flutes' on the bonnet...?