2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Road Test and Review

2018 Volkswagen Tiguan exterior front angle by Carrie Kim ・ Photo by Carrie Kim

Volkswagen was ahead of its time when it introduced the Tiguan to the American market for the 2009 model year. It was confusing to some car shoppers because it had the height of a crossover, but it was too small to be used the way they wanted to use their SUVs. Frankly, most of us hugely misunderstood it. But today, automakers are adding new subcompact crossovers to their lineups like the Buick Encore, the Honda HR-V, and Mazda CX-3. More like lifted hatchbacks, these subcompact crossovers are gaining popularity — and they’re doing so right as the all-new 2018 Tiguan hits the market as an all-new, much larger vehicle. The 2018 VW Tiguan is now a traditionally sized compact crossover. It’s the German’s version of the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, or even the Ford Escape. But we think it’s got a few advantages to the competition in this crowded space. Read on to see how the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan stacks up against the other popular crossovers in this very sought after category.

New vs. Old

Take a look at the previous generation Tiguan next to the incoming model, and you'll immediately see that this vehicle has undergone some significant changes. The new 2018 Tiguan is 10.6 inches longer overall with a wheelbase that’s increased by 7.3 inches. Those inches may look small on paper, but in person, they’re quite a different story. The new Tiguan has graduated into a fully capable family hauler. Speaking of family, another of the new Tiguan’s biggest changes is that it even has a third-row of seating available for occasional use and 58% more cargo space. Some buyers may call that a game changer — but we’ll comment more on that later. Side note: We don’t want to confuse you, but the “old” Tiguan will still be available on the dealer lots concurrently. The original (older) Tiguan will now be called the Tiguan Limited.

Photo by Carrie Kim

How does it drive?

Without getting too technical, we’ll just say that the Tiguan grew in length, but it also gained weight — 300 lbs. in fact (200 lbs. for the all-wheel-drive models). And without a boost in horsepower, a heavier vehicle is going to feel a little more sluggish. In town, things went swimmingly, but admittedly, acceleration off the line and merging on highways was strained. There was a bit of lag with the throttle, but nothing we feel we couldn't adjust to over time. That being said, some more aggressive drivers may find the Tiguan to be underpowered.

VW has said that with the release of the new Tiguan, it is becoming “a full-line, family-focused automaker.” Knowing the Tiguan will typically make most of its treks across the concrete jungle to school, work, and the grocery store, the Tiguan meets expectations.

Photo by Carrie Kim

Does it get good gas mileage?

Official gas mileage estimates for the 2018 Tiguan vary slightly between the front- and all-wheel-drive models; The FWD reports 24 mpg combined (22 mpg city/27 mpg highway) and 4MOTION models get 23 mpg combined (21 city/27 mpg highway). Our test drive through Denver and its outer limits returned a much lower average, at about 19 mpg.

Photo by Volkswagen

Inside the Tiguan

Inside the 2018 Tiguan, we were relieved to find the same sharp, clean interior design as in the Volkswagens we know and love. Quality materials, from the very convincing faux-leather, all the way to a firm, yet soft-touch dashboard, were very familiar to us. We especially liked the absence of fake wood trim and the new 8-inch Infotainment screen. The touchscreen is vivid and elevates the dashboard’s look to something much more upscale. VW's Car-Net keeps you connected on the road, and of course, smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is included. Also available is Volkswagen’s digital cockpit; similar to the interior design currently found in some Audis. The large hi-res 12.3” color digital display lights up the gauges and driver information you need instead of the old traditional analog instrument clusters and gauges.

Photo by Volkswagen

All about that third row.

It’s true – it is possible to get the third row of seats in your Tiguan. The third row is standard on all front-wheel-drive Tiguan models and is a $500 option on all 4MOTION (all-wheel drive) models. It’s great to have for occasional use, but we wouldn’t recommend it for every day. An extra kid or two could squeeze in back after soccer practice or on the way to the movies, but don’t expect to use your Tiguan’s third row for a road trip or carpool for adults. An adult would have a tight squeeze getting into the back, not to mention sitting there. There are no real footwells or much legroom to accommodate them. We think the third-row availability is exciting — it adds a perk if you need to give someone a lift, and most compact crossovers do not offer one. The only models that have the option in this segment are the Nissan Rogue and the Mitsubishi Outlander. Just remind yourself that the third row is for occasional use and you won’t be disappointed.

Photo by Carrie Kim

Price Improvement - Models and Pricing

Unlike the original Tiguan, this new model is priced much more in line with the segment. With the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan, you have your choice of four models, each available with front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. The base S model starts at $25,345 with FWD and $26,645 with VW’s 4MOTION (AWD). S models each come with notable features like 17-inch alloy wheels, a rearview camera, and a 6.5-in. Infotainment display screen. Stepping up to a mid-level SE model, prices start at $29,080 (FWD) and $30,380 (AWD). SE models get the brilliant 8-inch glass touchscreen display we raved about, heated seats, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Tiguan SEL brings all the luxury with a panoramic sunroof, power liftgate, and adaptive cruise control. The SEL models start at $32,550 (FWD) and $33,850 (AWD). Finally, an SEL Premium model will also be available, starting at $36,250 and $37,550. The SEL Premium will feature leather seats, parking pilot, an upgraded Fender audio system and more, on top of the already well equipped SEL model.

Photo by Carrie Kim

The Tiguan vs. the Competition

The Tiguan is breaking out of the competition in its segment by offering a third row and seating for seven passengers. It’s a little bigger vehicle than the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Ford Escape, but starting prices are in the same ballpark. The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 start at $24,045 and $24,410 respectively, and the Ford Escape comes in a little lower to start at $23,750. We also think the popular Subaru Outback would be an appropriate cross-shop, although, with all-wheel-drive that comes standard, it starts higher at $25,645. Fuel economy seems to be one area where the Tiguan falls to the back of the pack. While reaching a tie with the Ford Escape due to its combined average of 24 mpg, the CR-V, RAV4, and Outback beat it with averages of 28 mpg, 26 mpg, and 28 mpg, respectively.

Did you hear about the warranty?

In addition to the third-row offering, there's another way Volkswagen can tantalize car shoppers and bring something valuable that the competition doesn't offer: its all-new “America’s Best” Warranty. The warranty is big news because, in addition to the 6 year/72,000 mile coverage, the protection is bumper to bumper, not just the powertrain. The warranty is also transferable, meaning that if you buy or sell the Tiguan after just a few years, the warranty carries over to the new owner. The peace of mind that comes with a warranty like this is tough to beat, and we think this is a great way for Volkswagen to further earn the trust of buyers and rekindle loyalty.

Photo by Carrie Kim

Final Thoughts

We think the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan is a great buy for many kinds of shoppers. Small families, young singles, couples, and even retirees will each find a lot to love about this compact crossover. The pricing is competitive and combined with all the available features and options; your dollar will stretch far with the Tiguan. The 2018 Tiguan feels upscale, provides versatility with both front- and all-wheel-drive availability and is just the right size for most people. We expect to see many Tiguans on the road, whether commuting in traffic or on the open highways. We think Volkswagen has done an excellent job of identifying what American car shoppers want and making it available to them in a stylish package and at a reasonable price.

Photo by Carrie Kim