The rejuvenated third generation Volkswagen Tiguan looks a strong package. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

Volkswagen's third generation Tiguan has been subtly moved up-market but will retain a familiar appeal to hordes of loyal customers who liked this lower-mid-sized SUV's two predecessors. It's been redesigned outside and completely upgraded within. Plus it's more electrified, bigger and better connected.

Background

It's difficult to overstate the importance of the Tiguan to Volkswagen. Since the introduction of this mid-sized SUV model line back in 2007, it's regularly been the brand's global best seller, consistently since 2018 ahead of the Golf hatch it's always borrowed its engineering from. The second generation version announced in 2016 was even more successful than the first, contributing greatly to a sales total that had crested 7.5 million by the time of the introduction of the third generation model we look at here in Autumn 2023. This rejuvenated design shares its general size and market positioning with its predecessor (just above the T-Roc, just below the Touareg); but not a lot else. The evolved exterior look is merely a prelude to a completely redesigned cabin which borrows much from the design revolution also seen in the 9th generation Passat (with which this Tiguan now shares its upgraded MQB-Evo platform). Infotainment's also on a different level from before, borrowing lessons learned from the ID.7. It all sounds quite promising.

Driving Experience

A Tiguan customer won't typically be looking for anything particularly dynamic behind the wheel. He or she will prioritise refinement, comfort and, a little surprisingly if the sales numbers are to be believed, 4WD. The big change with this MK3 model - the adoption of the company's new, more electrified 'MQB evo' platform - doesn't feel like much of a big change from behind the wheel, but that's only because Wolfsburg has decided it should be so, keeping the road manners uninspiringly firm but comfortable - the way it thinks most customers will like it. Actually though, quite a lot's gone on in terms of re-engineering - changes to the suspension, the adoption of the brand's 'Vehicle Dynamics Manager' system, re-tuned steering and an adapted 'DCC Pro' version of the brand's adaptive damping system. There's also an all-new PHEV eHybrid drivetrain option, based around a 1.5-litre petrol engine and a bigger 19.7kWh battery now offering a 60 mile EV range. There's a choice of either 204PS or 272PS models and either way, as before, the eHybrid set-up's only front-driven and mated to 6-speed DSG auto transmission. Unlike most of its rivals, Volkswagen can't offer a full-Hybrid powertrain for those who can't stretch to PHEV tech, but it has added its mild hybrid eTSI tech into the Tiguan range - that's what we tried. The 1.5-litre eTSI model in question comes either with 130PS or, in the form we tried, with 150PS. Which returns similar efficiency figures to those you'd get from the continuing 2.0 TDI 150PS diesel model. All conventionally-engined Tiguan variants use the brand's 7-speed DSG auto transmission. If you want 4MOTION 4WD, there's a flagship unelectrified 2.0 TSI 265PS flagship model which gets to 62mph in just 5.9s.

Design and Build

This third generation Tiguan is a recognisable evolution of its popular predecessor but it wants to move a fraction further up-market, hence Volkswagen's decision to make it 30mm longer than before (it's also 4mm taller). Talking of length, there won't be an extended 7-seat Allspace version offered this time round because the brand plans to fill that niche with yet another SUV, the Tayron. This Tiguan's side profile is now more athletic, but the main changes are found at the front, with smart new LED headlights and a vast shark-like lower grille arrangement. The big differences this time round though, lie inside where there's a completely redesigned cabin that's more spacious, better quality and more sophisticated. All the screen stuff is based on the new VW Group MIB4 set-up we first saw in the ID.7, a major step forward from the MIB3 system that's attracted much criticism in the current Golf. The parts of that old system that featured on the previous Tiguan have been addressed here. So controls are now properly back-lit and the previous silly touch-sensitive steering wheel buttons banished. A 10.3-inch digital instrument display is now standard, paired alongside a central infotainment touchscreen that will usually be 12.9-inches but can be upgraded to a rather over-large 15.0-inch size on request. Because there are now no manual gearbox Tiguans (the transmission selector has been relocated to a steering column stalk), the centre console has been redesigned. It now hosts a rotary controller used to alter driving modes, audio volume and what Volkswagen calls 'atmospheres', basically pre-programmed settings for music and ambient lighting: there are five major ones - 'Lounge', 'Energetic', 'Joy', 'Minimal' and 'Me'. There's also a dual phone charging station and a head-up display that projects directly onto the windscreen (instead of onto a plastic panel as before). As for the rear, well despite the outside length increase, back seat legroom hasn't changed much because the wheelbase length is the same as before. But there is 10mm more headroom; and a clever new mechanism in the armrest that pops out to reveal a couple of cup holder spaces and a slot to rest your phone. The panel can be angled towards either rear occupant too. Out back, there's been a 37-litre increase in boot space (now up to a generous 652-litres), though it'll be quite a bit less than that with the PHEV versions (which offer a 490-litre capacity).

Market and Model

Expect pricing to sit in the £34,000-£45,000 bracket, which is pretty par for the course when it comes to upwardly mobile lower-mid-sized SUVs these days. There's a choice of five trim levels - standard spec, 'Life', 'Match', 'Elegance' and 'R-Line' variants. Even base spec gives you 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, climate control and a rear view camera. Plus a 10.3-inch digital instrument display and a 12.9-inch central infotainment touchscreen. And there's the usual included app that allows you to interact with your Tiguan from wherever you're using your smartphone. With 'Life' trim, you get 3-zone climate control, 'comfort'-spec seats, different alloy wheels, a Park Assist system, auto main beam, adaptive cruise control and 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring. If you want to spoil yourself, you'll want to look at plusher 'Elegance' spec, which gets you larger 18-inch wheels, acoustic glass, a powered tailgate, LED Plus headlights and a 'Park Assist Pro' system that will record the last 50-metres of your journey and retrace your steps automatically. At the top of the range, 'R-Line' models get 19-inch alloy wheels, sports seats and a sporty body kit. Key options include a head-up display and DCC adaptive damping. Safety kit includes a clever 'Automatic Post-Collision Braking System' that automatically brakes the car down to 6mph after a collision - so if, say, someone hits you and, understandably, you go to pieces, the car will automatically sort itself out. There's also a 'Front Assist' system that at speed, scans the road ahead as you drive for potential accident hazards, warning you if one is detected and automatically braking if necessary. You get that same kind of functionality at urban speeds too, as part of a 'City Emergency Braking' system included as part of the 'Front Assist' package.

Cost of Ownership

The economy figures aren't too much different from before. Which means that if you opt for the base eTSI petrol 1.5-litre 130PS variant, you're looking at up to 46.3mpg on the combined cycle and 139g/km of CO2. For the 150PS eTSI version we tried, the figures are up to 45.6mpg and 141g/km. for the 2.0 TDI 150PS diesel, it's 52.3mpg and 141g/km. As we told you in our 'Driving' section, the eHybrid PHEV models are capable of around 60 miles of range before you need to use fossil fuel. Volkswagen reckons that will allow many families to use this car as an EV, given German market research suggesting that 95% of journeys are less than 31 miles long and 99% are shorter than 60 miles. Total fuel and EV range of a Tiguan eHybrid is about 620 miles. The 204PS version is rated at 706.2mpg and 9g/km; the 272PS version rates at 565mpg and 11g/km. As for servicing across the range, well as usual with Volkswagen models, there's a choice of either 'Fixed' or 'Flexible' maintenance packages. You'll choose the 'Fixed' approach if you cover less than 10,000 miles a year and with this, the car will typically be looked at every twelve months. If your daily commute is more than 25 miles and your Tiguan will regularly be driven on longer distance journeys, you'll be able to work with a 'Flexible' regime that can see you travelling up to 18,000 miles between garage visits - or every two years, whichever is sooner. And warranties? Well the standard package is three years and 60,000 miles.

Summary

The Tiguan has evolved - but not beyond recognition. If you liked it before, you'll like it even more now, with its newly chiselled looks and more advanced powertrain selection. The redesigned cabin we think is key: the previous model's interior couldn't really carry off a near-premium price tag. With this third generation model, that had to change - and it has. Also key are the advances made to this model's Plug-in Hybrid option. Previously, a Tiguan eHybrid's all-electric range was little more than a nice-to-have bonus. Now though, for many family customers, the PHEV version of this car really could function pretty much like a full-EV most of the time. So this is a cleverer type of Tiguan, as it needs to be for the likely prices being asked. These might suggest a mid-sized SUV with a more premium badge. But there's no doubt that this one now has more of a premium feel.