The Volkswagen Tiguan offers something different from what you find in the rest of the SUV class. This is the only European mainstream entry, but there’s more.
Selecting the right SUV to drive can be difficult for most consumers. The new Tiguan offers a satisfying drive and plenty of room to accommodate an average-sized family. This European SUV isn’t made for extreme off-roading, but it can handle a camping trip using light trails to get to the campsite. It can be hard to figure out what to drive without a strong list of pros and cons, which is exactly what we have for you today.
Pro: The Standard Powertrain is Great Around Town
If you want an SUV that takes off quickly from a traffic light and makes it easy for you to have the drive and acceleration desired, the Tiguan could be the right choice. You won’t find neck-snapping acceleration, but you can get ahead of the driver next to you and change lanes easily while navigating through town. The smooth power delivery is excellent for hilly roads and challenging traffic where you want to get where you’re going more easily.
Con: There’s Nothing Fast About this Volkswagen
Some SUVs are so slow that drivers will joke that it takes 3-5 business days to reach 60 mph. The Volkswagen Tiguan is one of these models. This SUV is among the slowest small SUVs in the market. It takes 9.5 seconds to hit 60 mph when the four-cylinder engine is under the hood. If you want speedy acceleration, you’ll want to opt for the V6 engine that can boost performance and give you better acceleration.
Pro: Confident Handling on Every Road
Some SUVs handle like trucks, but not the Tiguan. This SUVs maneuvers well and delivers the ride quality that makes this SUV extremely attractive and useful. It’s easy to understand the confident feeling this Volkswagen offers on the road, which is one of the most enjoyable factors of this vehicle. The European-tuned suspension makes driving much easier and more pleasant when it’s time to experience a fantastic ride. The light and easy steering add to the fun factor offered by this impressive crossover.
Con: Towing is Truly Limited in this SUV
If you’re looking for an SUV that can handle the towing desired, you’ll want to look elsewhere. The Volkswagen Tiguan is only rated to pull up to 1,500 pounds, which is incredibly low. It might be enough for some camping gear, but if you need a higher tow rating, the Volkswagen Atlas could be a much better choice for you. The Atlas brings a tow rating of 5,000 pounds, which is much better than the Tiguan.
Pro: Light Off-Roading is Part of the Charm
You won’t challenge the Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco for off-road supremacy when driving the Tiguan, but you can head to some light off-road locations where you can enjoy the outdoors. This VW SUV has an off-road mode and optional 4Motion AWD to give you good traction on slippery trails that lead to your favorite outdoor adventure locations. The Hill Descent Control feature helps adjust the braking and keeps you under control when going down steep grades. Overall, this SUV does well on light trails, where you can take a small load of camping gear with you for a weekend by the lake.
Con: The Third Row Seat is Pretty Tight
If you need room for a couple more youngsters than what fit across the first two rows, there is an optional third row where you can seat these children. Small children should be comfortable in this area, but most teenagers will need more legroom. This third-row seat also cuts down on the available cargo room. Like most SUVs in this class, the third row isn’t as useful as it should be. Thankfully, this item is only an option and not something you must have.
Pro: Enough Room for People and Cargo in Two-Row Versions
Forget that third-row seat. The Volkswagen Tiguan is best if you allow it to be a two-row, five-seat SUV that offers the roominess you need. With this version, everyone has ample space to be comfortable during the drive, and there are more than 37 cubic feet of storage space behind the rear seats. Tall drivers will find lots of room without crouching down, which makes this version of the Tiguan comfortable and enjoyable during your time on the road.
Con: Volkswagen Doesn’t Have an Optional Hybrid Powertrain
Most of the smaller crossovers in the automotive market offer hybrid powertrains; some have both traditional hybrids and PHEVs to help reduce the fuel costs associated with driving these vehicles. Unfortunately, Volkswagen has not put a hybrid in this SUV. The Tiguan continues to feature traditional powertrains with a four-cylinder engine, and a V6 power plant offered to give this SUV the desired drive. This might come as a surprise with VW’s commitment to EVs, but they seem to be skipping the hybrids altogether to offer some models as EVs right from the start.
Pro: New Standard Features Make Sense
The appeal of the Volkswagen Tiguan has improved recently. This SUV now has a Digital Cockpit feature, which is similar to the Audi version with a similar name. You’ll find a traditional gauge cluster with an 8.0-inch display screen in the middle to give you the desired information. The steering wheel has also been improved to offer touch-sensitive controls, and you’ll enjoy the benefits of standard heated front seats that make this SUV more pleasant in colder climates.
Pro: Excellent Value for the Price
The starting price is less than $26,000, which is extremely reasonable for a compact crossover SUV. Toss in the fact that this SUV comes with European driving manners and a slew of desirable driving features; you’ll find an SUV that has the nice features desired for a great drive. There’s also a 50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 20,000-mile scheduled maintenance program that comes with each Tiguan.
Could the Volkswagen Tiguan be the right compact SUV for you to drive? With this list of pros and cons, it might fit most of your driving needs. Will you head to your local VW dealer to take this SUV out for a test drive?
This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning a commission is given should you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no cost to you. All products shown are researched and tested to give an accurate review for you.
