Since the first Volkswagen Tiguan was introduced in 2007, the family-sized SUV has been the German car giant’s best-selling model.
So when a new version comes out, bosses want to make sure they have all the right ingredients to keep that success going.
The third-generation Tiguan will hit showrooms from next year and among its raft of changes is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain that delivers three times the UK average daily mileage in electric-only mode.
Here, we detail all the new features and reveal how much the Tiguan will cost when the first examples arrive on British soil from next spring.
VW’s best-selling model for more than a decade is renewed: this is the new third-generation Tiguan SUV and, ultimately, the last one to be sold with an internal combustion engine under the hood.
How popular is the Tiguan? The first two generations have sold more than 7.5 million units worldwide in a 15-year cycle, the period in which demand for SUVs has skyrocketed and left all other vehicle segments in its tracks. .
Tiguan buyers from next year will be able to order a new range of engines and benefit from a range of new technologies integrated into the cabin of the family car.
Certainly the last Tiguan introduced with internal combustion engines under the bonnet, this third-generation car can choose between TDI turbodiesel, TSI turbo petrol, eTSI mild hybrids and finally a new plug-in ‘eHybrid’ system.
All are connected to VW’s proven, market-leading DSG automatic gearbox.
Like the new Passat estate introduced last month, the transmission controls have been moved to a lever behind the steering wheel instead of the traditional lever on the center console.
VW has sold more than 7.5 million Tiguans since its launch in 2007. That makes it the brand’s best-seller worldwide.
The third generation car can choose between engines: TDI turbodiesel; TSI turbo gasolines; eTSI mild hybrids; and an ‘eHybrid’ plugin
This last engine is a stepping stone in Volkswagen’s shift towards electric vehicles.
This is because the PHEV can travel 62 miles when the 19.7 kWh battery is fully charged. And thanks to DC fast charging capability, it should take minutes, not hours, to add more range to its electric mode.
With Brits driving an average of 7,400 miles a year, daily use equates to 20 miles per day.
This basically means that the Tiguan PHEV can be driven as a full electric vehicle for almost three days before the average user has to rely on the combustion engine without charging.
However, if you want to take your Tiguan off-road – something which, to be fair, very few Brits do – you’ll have to opt for the 2.0-litre 4Motion diesel or petrol engine.
Appearance-wise, the design is sleeker in an effort to make the boxy proportions as streamlined as possible.
The PHEV can travel 62 miles when the 19.7 kWh battery is fully charged. Brits walk an average of 20 miles a day.
The front of the Tiguan shares the matrix LED headlights of the ID EV range. The rear light cluster spans the entire trunk panel and is similar to that of the smaller T-Cross.
The front end shares the familiar face with its ‘ID’ line of electric vehicles, with a large lower grille and the HD matrix LED lights of its battery-powered sister models.
Moving to the rear, the Tiguan features a small spoiler over the rear window and a light cluster similar to that already seen on the smaller T-Cross.
In terms of dimensions, VW has made the new SUV 30mm longer than before, which should translate into a bit more interior space.
Boot size has also been expanded by 37 liters on non-PHEV models, bringing the total to 652 liters of total capacity.
Inside, the focal point is the new infotainment system, which is VW’s latest MIB4 system.
Volkswagen promises more space than before, including improved headroom compared to the outgoing Tiguan.
As standard, the Tiguan has a 12.9-inch infotainment screen. Upgrade to higher trim levels, however, and you can get a laptop-sized 15-inch screen.
All versions come with VW’s DSG automatic gearbox. Like the new Passat estate introduced last month, the controls have been moved to a stalk behind the steering wheel.
As standard, this means a 12.9-inch screen, but higher trim levels get a laptop-sized 15-inch screen.
These complement a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, which can be customized in a choice of four different view models.
Another clever feature is a rotary dial on the center console that allows users to adapt the “Atmosphere” of the car. This means that with just a twist of the control, you can set the Tiguan to its sportiest settings for the chassis and powertrain, with the cabin glowing red. Alternatively, this can be tempered with more relaxing tones and vehicle response.
By extending the length and wheelbase of the Tiguan, Volkswagen has increased legroom for rear-seat passengers.
Boot size has also been expanded by 37 liters on non-PHEV models, bringing the total to 652 liters of total capacity.
What most of you want to know now is how much it will cost…
UK specifications are yet to be clarified, although in Germany the basic version will start from €36,600, which is equivalent to around £31,300. However, today’s cheapest DSG-equipped second-generation version costs £33,650 in the UK, so expect a small price increase when it finally arrives.
For the PHEV version, the premium will be much higher.
The third-generation Tiguan will go on sale in its home country from February 2024 and in Great Britain from spring 2024.
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