VW's bestseller gets a premium makeover. What's new?
BOZEMAN, MONT.—Driving along a twisty, two-lane road in the back country, I press down on the accelerator and the turbo engine roars to life, pushing me into a sweeping right-hand turn. The car handles this with ease. I'm not driving a premium entry from Audi or BMW … or even a GTI or Golf R.
Nope, on this cool and rainy spring day in central Montana, I'm behind the wheel of the all-new 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan.
This compact SUV is the volume seller for the German carmaker, especially in North America. They sell loads of them here. In fact, according to Volkswagen, Canada is the number seven market for the Tiguan worldwide.
Given its success, there's some pressure on Volkswagen to make sure they don't mess up a good thing.
The 2025 Tiguan is the third-generation model for a nameplate that dates to 2009. Over time, the Tiguan has grown substantially, but the new car is just a little shorter than the car it replaces. It is slightly wider, however, and rides on the same wheelbase.
The new Tiguan's blockier styling, which includes a taller front grille and higher hood line, is attractive. New LED lighting, at the front and rear, is connected by a light bar that includes the VW logo. I drove in the day, so it was hard to see the light signature, but I imagine it looks quite striking.
Powering all 2025 Tiguans is an enhanced version of Volkswagen's venerable 2.0-litre, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine, which produces 201 horsepower and 221 pounds-feet of torque, or motive force. While torque output remains unchanged, horsepower is up 17 over the previous Tiguan.
Paired with the turbo four is an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, with the latter coming standard on all Canadian-market Tiguans.
As much as the Tiguan looks better on the outside, it really shines on the inside. The interior has been given a complete makeover and the results are top level.
I'm driving the U.S. equivalent of the top-level Highline R-Line 4MOTION sold in Canada. Translation: it's fully loaded. Among the most striking features are two big digital displays. Standard on this trim is a 15-inch infotainment touchscreen, which has faster processing power, a wider gamut of colours and pin-sharp HD resolution. The other screen, a configurable 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro, serves as the instrument cluster panel.
While the 15-inch unit is only available on the Highline R-Line, the 10.25-inch cluster display is standard on all trims, and the bottom three grades also receive a standard 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. Other standard kit includes wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto and wireless charging.
Oh, and there's a big volume knob on the centre console, but it does more than control the sound of the 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system; it's a multi-function, push-swipe thingy, which Volkswagen calls the Driving Experience Dial, and it controls drive modes and … Atmospheres.
Say, what?
'Atmospheres' are aspects of cabin mood, and swiping the dial's mini touchscreen adjusts ambient lighting and music settings. There are five preprogrammed moods: Lounge, Joy, Nature, Energetic and Minimal. A custom feature enables users to create their own mood. The Driving Experience Dial is standard on all grades except for the base Trendline.
As I wind along country roads,
my
mood is relaxed. The big sky and mist-covered mountains roll past, and my Monterey Blue Tiguan tester proves a comforting sanctuary. I turn on the massaging driver's seat (10-point massaging is exclusive to Highline R-Line) and relax as stress and soreness is kneaded out of my back. (This feature is also available for the front seat passenger.)
This is upmarket for Volkswagen, I think to myself, as I get more comfortable in quilted leather seating. Real open-pore wood; 15-inch infotainment screen; 30-colour ambient lighting with backlighting in the dash and front doors. BMW and Mercedes, and corporate cousin Audi, ought to be concerned. It seems as though Volkswagen is primed to eat their lunch. And that's to say nothing of the 268-horsepower Tiguan Turbo arriving in 2026. Look out BMW!
Are there any negatives? Not many, but a few are worth noting. First, there are no electrified options; the Tiguan is gas only. Hybrids are in the plans, however. Second, the Tiguan is now strictly five-passenger. The third row, which accounted for just 10 per cent of Tiguan sales in Canada, is gone.
Finally, some premium content is locked to the Highline R-Line grade. Exclusive items include 15-inch infotainment touchscreen, 10-point massaging front seats, upscale wood dash decor, and 30-colour ambient lighting. It all helps justify the $47,495-price-tag.
But I don't think these will be deal-breakers for most buyers. The 2025 Tiguan is a smooth, comfortable, and capable performer. The new premium touches will only broaden its appeal.
Type:
Mid-size SUV, front-engine, all-wheel drive
Engine:
2.0-litre, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine; 201 horsepower, 221 pounds-feet of torque (motive force)
Transmission:
Eight-speed automatic
Fuel
(Regular 87): 10.5 litres/100 km in the city; 7.8l/100km on the highway; 9.3l/100 km combined
Cargo:
750 litres, or 26.5 cubic feet; 1,668l, or 59 cu. ft. in total
Price:
$36,495; $47,495 as tested, plus $2,200 freight
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