I truly appreciate vehicles built with a clear purpose. A rugged Jeep Wrangler tackling off-road trails? Absolutely. A nimble sports car designed for speed and handling? Guilty pleasure. Even a luxurious Rolls-Royce Phantom with its opulent features? Of course, each of these vehicles knows exactly what it is meant to be, and every design choice enhances that core purpose. However, I find myself less drawn to generic, inoffensive cars that try to be everything to everyone and end up excelling at nothing.
This brings me to the Volkswagen Tiguan SE that my wife and I purchased a year ago. Does it fall into that ambiguous category of SUV/crossover/luxury/economy/sport compromise, or has it carved out a distinct and valuable place for itself in the automotive world? After a year of daily driving and road trips, I’m ready to share my comprehensive Vw Suv Tiguan Review.
Tiguan Basics: What You Need to Know
While detailed specifications are readily available on Volkswagen’s website and various automotive data sites, I’ll skip the exhaustive spreadsheets.
Our Tiguan SE is easily recognizable thanks to its vibrant Habanero Orange Metallic paint. Opting for front-wheel drive to suit our needs and budget, we also chose the optional fold-away third-row seats, acknowledging they are more of a “just in case” feature for us. The inclusion of synthetic leather upholstery, seamless Apple CarPlay integration, and a panoramic sunroof elevates the interior ambiance of this mid-range SUV, creating a premium feel that belies its price point. For those interested in the details, our Tiguan came equipped with Giti Comfort XA1 tires, a detail we’ll revisit later in this vw suv tiguan review.
Conquering the Suburban Landscape in the Tiguan
The Volkswagen Tiguan embraces its role as a versatile and practical SUV, making everyday driving a pleasure.
Every driving environment presents unique challenges. For us, these include navigating pothole-ridden city streets, enduring daily traffic congestion, and covering long highway stretches to reach our favorite destinations. In this context, a crossover or SUV like the Tiguan is a genuinely sensible choice. While the suspension prioritizes comfort over sportiness, its increased ride height effectively absorbs imperfections on poorly maintained urban roads. Fuel economy is rated at a respectable 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, aligning with our real-world experience. The automatic stop/start system, often intrusive in sportier vehicles, is surprisingly unobtrusive and even appreciated in the Tiguan, contributing to fuel savings in stop-and-go traffic.
The integration of Apple CarPlay with the eight-inch center touchscreen is a significant highlight, representing a vast improvement over traditional in-car navigation systems. Its user-friendliness and seamless smartphone integration make every drive more enjoyable and connected.
Behind the wheel, the Tiguan doesn’t pretend to be a sports car, but it offers a driving experience that leans more towards a refined wagon than a bulky, body-on-frame SUV. The steering is light and responsive, avoiding the overly boosted feel common in some SUVs. Body roll is well-controlled for a vehicle of this size, and braking is confident and adequate. Engaging the transmission’s sport mode provides a noticeable boost in responsiveness, holding gears longer and offering quicker acceleration. Anyone familiar with Volkswagen’s MQB platform will recognize the familiar 2.0-liter TSI engine note as it revs towards its redline – yes, even SUVs have redlines, and exploring them occasionally can be surprisingly satisfying.
Car interiors have made significant strides in recent years, but the Tiguan’s cabin build quality still impresses for its class. The synthetic leather seats and strategically placed soft-touch materials create a tactile experience that feels more premium than the vehicle’s MSRP would suggest. The clean, crisp design aesthetic of the interior suggests it will maintain a fresh and modern look for years to come.
Ample interior space is a defining characteristic of the Tiguan, making daily driving tasks effortless. Commuting, running errands, and hauling items from home improvement stores are all easily managed by the Tiguan. The interior surfaces have proven durable enough to withstand the rigors of pet ownership, sporting equipment (like saddles and skis), and even lumber. However, I did learn firsthand that a full sheet of plywood requires a trip to the store’s cutting center before it will comfortably fit inside – a slightly embarrassing but ultimately minor inconvenience.
One feature I consistently appreciate is the panoramic sunroof. While it’s an optional extra, the $1,200 investment is, in my opinion, well worth it. The expansive glass roof floods the interior with natural light and enhances visibility, transforming the cabin into an airy and relaxing space that connects you with the surrounding environment rather than isolating you from it.
The panoramic sunroof of the Tiguan elevates the interior experience, creating an open and airy cabin.
When we were in the market for an SUV, we cross-shopped the Tiguan against several competitors. Some models, like the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Volvo XC40, were more alluring in terms of styling and character, but their higher price points ultimately stretched beyond our budget. Others, such as the Jaguar E-Pace and Subaru Forester, became more expensive due to features we deemed unnecessary for our typical driving needs. While the Jaguar offered a sportier driving dynamic and we appreciate Subaru’s renowned all-wheel-drive systems, our daily driving wouldn’t fully utilize those capabilities. At the time of purchase, Volkswagen’s comprehensive warranty also stood out as significantly better than many competitors, making the Tiguan an even more compelling and responsible choice. Ultimately, we felt confident in our decision to prioritize value and stick to our essential feature wishlist, leading us to the Tiguan.
Tiguan on the Open Road: Road Trip Ready?
On multiple occasions, we’ve relied on the Tiguan for longer road trips, including a memorable ski trip from our home near Fort Worth, Texas, to Taos, New Mexico. The long stretches of highway across West Texas provide a true test of seat comfort and cabin noise levels. The Tiguan performed admirably in both aspects, earning high marks for its comfortable seats that remained supportive even after hours of driving and a reasonably quiet cabin that minimized fatigue on long journeys.
Once we reached the mountainous terrain, our focus shifted to navigating snowy roads and enjoying the breathtaking scenery. Now, let’s revisit those Giti tires that came standard on our Tiguan. These Singaporean tires, a brand I was previously unfamiliar with, delivered a surprisingly strong performance in winter conditions. Our rental house was located about a mile down a winding, unpaved road that was covered in approximately eight inches of fresh snow and hadn’t been plowed. I braced myself for the possibility of getting stuck and having to walk the rest of the way, but the Tiguan confidently powered through the snow without any issues. The snowstorm continued into the next morning, and we drove to Taos Ski Valley without needing to use chains, further showcasing the Tiguan’s unexpected winter capability.
“People can try to come up here without all-wheel drive if they want, but we’re not going to tow them out of the ditch,” a parking lot attendant jokingly shouted to a colleague as they directed us into a parking space at the ski resort.
I must admit, observing the Audis, Subarus, and pickup trucks that surrounded us in the parking lot at that moment gave me a small sense of pride in our unassuming Tiguan. It proved itself capable in conditions where many might have underestimated it.
The Verdict: A Purpose-Built SUV
The vibrant Habanero Orange Metallic paint makes the Tiguan stand out, reflecting its energetic and practical nature.
So, after a year of ownership, where does the Tiguan truly stand? I’ve concluded that it is more purpose-built than its understated appearance might suggest. If your priorities are extreme off-roading prowess, blistering acceleration, or ultimate luxury appointments, there are certainly other SUVs that would be a better fit. However, if you seek a comfortable, refined, well-built, and spacious SUV that delivers a premium experience without breaking the bank, then the Volkswagen Tiguan is genuinely built for you. After a year of ownership, I wholeheartedly give the Tiguan my stamp of approval. It’s a practical, versatile, and surprisingly enjoyable SUV that confidently fulfills its intended purpose.
