2024 Volkswagen Tiguan
🔹Price :$29,855
HIGHS
Chassis tuned for fun, powertrain is willing if not brawny, spacious first and second row seating—and a third row if you need it.
LOWS
No performance-engine option, firm seats and minimalist interior design, cargo volume is shy of the segment average.
VERDICT
The Tiguan brings a decidedly European flavor to the crowded compact crossover segment with crisp handling and purposeful styling.
Overview
It’s hard to stand out in a crowd, but the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan strives to escape the genericism of the compact crossover segment with reserved but tasteful sheetmetal, sharp handling, and European spirit. Living directly below the Atlas in VW’s U.S. lineup, it prioritizes a holistic balance over stylistic gimmickry or extraordinary zero-to-60 performance. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and an eight-speed automatic serve as the sole powertrain; what it lacks in performance, it makes up for with parsimonious fuel economy and satisfying operation. The cabin follows the blueprint, offering decent space for people and cargo while the styling remains reserved and purposeful and the seats firm but comfortable. A third row of seats is available as an option, but it’s tight and for small children or occasional use only; the Mitsubishi Outlander is the only other model in the segment to offer a third row, but it has even less legroom. While the Tiguan’s feature content is class-competitive, its crisp handling and overall well-rounded personality make for an appealing and enjoyable driving experience. Buyers enticed by the Tiguan but desiring more contemporary styling and the option of an electrified powertrain are advised to wait for the soon-to-be-revealed 2025 VW Tiguan .
What’s New for 2024?
VW’s IQ.DRIVE driver-assistance system is now standard on the base S trim and includes adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature. Also joining the base S trim for 2024 are auto high beam headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, a faux-leather steering wheel, upgraded infotainment, and wireless charging. The SE R-Line and SEL R-Line Black trims get minor cosmetic upgrades.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
🔹S ======= $ 29.855
🔹SE =========== $ 32.555
🔹SE R- Line Black ======= $ 35.555
🔹SEL R- Line ============= $ 39.855
As with last year, we recommend the mid-range SE trim as it adds 18-inch wheels, a power-operated rear liftgate, remote start, and dual-zone climate control. Note that for 2024, however, the Base S trim gets the IQ.Drive semi-autonomous lane-keeping assist mode, previously only on the SE and up. That said, the S still uses a smaller 6.5-inch infotainment screen and doesn’t offer the panoramic sunroof option, which is a $1200 option on the SE.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Lift the hood on the 2024 Tiguan, and you’ll find VW’s near-ubiquitous turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder tuned for 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Output flows through an eight-speed automatic transmission and to the front wheels; Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system is optional. Whether front- or all-wheel drive, the Tiguan turns in an athletic if not breathtaking performance, aided in part by its low 1900 rpm torque peak and a smooth-shifting transmission. Indeed, some of our staff feel there’s a whisper of sportiness here that recalls VW’s well-respected GTI hot hatchback. Alas, the brake pedal is the weakest member of the start-stop-turn team, as its soft and slightly ambiguous feel doesn’t match the firm, progressive pedal action present in other members of VW’s family tree. Like many of our favorite vehicles, the Tiguan’s cohesive real-world personality and general on-the-road poise belie its statistical limitations, including a rather languid 9.1-second zero-to-60-mph time as extracted by our test drivers. Again, having max torque available just after step-off does wonders for its in-town drivability, leaving highway merges as likely the only time you’ll wish the Tiguan had a bit more power.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The 2024 Tiguan is reasonably efficient for the segment providing up to 24 mpg city and 31 mpg highway per EPA estimates. Adding the 4Motion all-wheel drive system extracts a small penalty, coming in at 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. Subtract another 1 mpg in both metrics for the top-spec SEL R-Line trim. Our test of the 2022 Tiguan with 4Motion all-wheel drive returned 26 mpg combined. We haven’t yet had an opportunity to subject the Tiguan to our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test, but we’ll update this story with the results when we do. For more information about the Tiguan’s fuel economy.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Tiguan’s interior space is a classic case of give and take. One of the only models in the segment with an optional third row, legroom is incrementally tighter in the front- and second row than most competitors. In real-world use, however, the cabin feels spacious, and none of our drivers complained about a lack of space. Of note, Tiguans equipped with the 4Motion all-wheel drive system have no third row, and the second-row passengers gain approximately two additional inches of legroom. The interior layout is simple otherwise, functional but not particularly stylish. The base Tiguan comes standard with six-way manually adjustable heated front seats with cloth upholstery. The SE adds a power-adjustable driver’s seat and faux-leather upholstery among other upgrades; opting for more expensive versions can net full power passenger seating, leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof. Cargo space behind the third row is limited to just 12 cubic feet, which is about half a cubic foot less than the trunk space of a Corvette C8. Thankfully, that third row folds flat easily and increases the available cargo space to around 33 cubes, about mid-pack for the segment. With all the seats folded, we fit 19 of our carry-on boxes in the Tiguan, fewer than we stuffed inside key rivals.
Infotainment and Connectivity
We’re disappointed with the user experience of some of VW’s latest infotainment systems. Although the Tiguan’s system retains tiny volume and tuning knobs—and not the capacitive sliders as in the Golf GTI and other VWs—it still utilizes touch-sensitive controls integrated into a large glass screen that we have found difficult to use. On the upside, the system comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so drivers who prefer their smartphone’s familiar interface to Volkswagen’s system will adapt with little hassle. Even better, the base S trim is slated to get standard wireless charging and updated software for its 6.5-inch infotainment screen in a mid-year update. (SE and up models use an 8.0-inch screen.) A Wi-Fi hotspot is standard. A 480-watt nine-speaker Fender audio system is available for audiophiles, but only in upper trims. All models come with either an 8.0- or 10.3-inch digital gauge display which can be reconfigured to display a variety of information.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Volkswagen has made its IQ.Drive adaptive cruise control system standard for 2024. Previously available only on upper trims, it includes lane-keeping assist and a lane-centering feature. As before, all Tiguans get standard forward-collision alert with automatic braking and a blind-spot warning system. For more information about the Tiguan’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
🔹Standard automated emergency braking with forward collision warning
🔹Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
🔹Standard adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
What was previously the industry’s best bumper-to-bumper warranty at six years and 72,000 miles of coverage has been shortened to four years or 50,000 miles. To help make that reduced coverage a little easier to handle, all new Volkswagens offer two years of regularly scheduled maintenance included at no charge.
🔹Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
🔹Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
🔹Complimentary maintenance is covered for 2 years or 20,000 miles
