Test Drive - Volkswagen Tiguan

Tiguan – not just a car, but an institution!
For Volkswagen, the Tiguan is more than just another SUV—it’s practically a cornerstone of their lineup. The engineers and marketing teams haven’t done anything by halves here—no, this vehicle has been refined to perfection, much like a well-prepared schnitzel paired with a cold German beer.

When Volkswagen first launched the Tiguan in 2007, it was the perfect answer to the world’s automotive needs at the time: compact but not tiny, practical but not boring, powerful enough to make you think you could drive across the Mongolian steppes, yet ultimately designed for highways and supermarket parking lots. And the name—Tiguan! A fusion of "Tiger" and "Iguana" because, why not create a car that sounds like an adventure in the jungle? For this third-generation Tiguan, Volkswagen has taken that animalistic inspiration quite literally—hidden in the rear side windows are tiny silhouettes of a tiger and an iguana. A clever little Easter egg, reminding buyers that this is not just another crossover but one with a proper personality.

The perfect middle ground
Size-wise, the Tiguan sits exactly where it should within VW’s SUV lineup—between the smaller T-Roc and the larger, more luxurious Touareg. This means it’s the Goldilocks of SUVs—big enough to haul your kids’ football team to practice but not so massive that you need divine intervention to find a parking spot. And then, there’s the numbers game—over 7.6 million units sold! Yes, the Golf may be a legendary sales champion, but the Tiguan has plowed through the sales charts like a hot knife through butter.

The third-generation Tiguan gets everything a modern driver desires—a new MQB evo platform, adaptive suspension, and a plug-in hybrid option that promises 100 km of electric range.

Design evolution, not revolution
Park the new Tiguan next to its predecessor, and you might think VW’s designers took the week off. The sharp, boxy lines of the old model have been softened, replaced by sleeker, more aerodynamic curves. The front end now features a higher, more confident nose, while slimmer headlights and a full-width LED light strip across the grille give it a thoroughly modern look.

From the side, the familiar Tiguan silhouette remains, but new 20-inch alloy wheels and smoother bodywork make it look sharper. The car is 3 cm longer, bringing its total length to 4.54 meters, improving proportions while keeping the wheelbase and width nearly identical. Meanwhile, the taillights now span the entire width of the tailgate, creating a seamless LED light signature that ties the Tiguan’s look closely to VW’s newer SUVs.

VW has played it safe—modernizing the Tiguan without losing its identity, which, considering its broad customer base, seems like a wise move.

A digital revolution meets German pragmatism
Inside, the new Tiguan is like stepping into a NASA control center, with more screens than ever before. Gone are the old-school buttons and dials—in their place is a 10-inch high-resolution digital instrument panel and a massive 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system. You could probably stream Netflix on it—if the GPS wasn’t already shouting at you for missing your turn.

Volkswagen learned from past mistakes—previous infotainment systems were either too basic or too frustrating. Now, the MIB4 system is smooth, fast, and finally logical—at least until you try to find something specific for the first time.

And then, there’s IDA, the voice assistant. It can control various car functions, and the best part? You can set your own wake-up command—whether it’s "Volkswagen, behave!" or "German engineering, don’t fail me now!". Does it always work perfectly? Well, let’s just say IDA still has some learning to do—it might even respond when you casually ask if anyone wants coffee.

One real physical button remains—the Driving Experience Switch. This tiny OLED display-equipped dial lets you adjust driving modes and volume with a simple twist. Unlike climate control, which is buried in the touchscreen labyrinth. Yes, Volkswagen, why must I navigate a maze just to change the temperature?

Still, VW has made some solid improvements. Premium materials, LED ambient lighting that syncs with drive modes, and massaging seats in the top-tier Elegance trim make the cabin feel truly upmarket.

More space, more practicality
The Tiguan remains a five-seater, and rear passengers now get 84 cm of legroom—enough for an NBA player to stretch out. ISOFIX mounts? Of course. And the 652-liter trunk? Big enough to fit all your family’s luggage, shopping bags, and maybe even a Dacia Spring.

Engines: A German bakery of choices
VW wants the new Tiguan to fit everyone’s needs, from the traditional diesel enthusiast to the modern plug-in hybrid fan.

At the entry level, 1.5-liter mild-hybrid turbo petrol engines produce 130 or 150 hp. Perfectly fine for city driving, but on highways, you’ll need more patience than a chess grandmaster in a marathon match.

Need more power? The plug-in hybrid models offer 204 or 272 hp and up to 100 km of electric-only range. Sounds great, right? Sure, but all that power goes to the front wheels, meaning it might tug at the steering wheel like an overexcited dog on a leash. And all-wheel drive? Nope. VW apparently thinks front-wheel drive and good intentions are enough.

For traditionalists, the 2.0-liter petrol engine comes in 204 and 265 hp versions, with the latter sharing its heart with the Golf GTI, hitting 0-100 km/h in about six seconds.

And then there’s diesel. 150 and 193 hp TDI options remain, promising 1,000 km on a single tank—more than your friend’s most optimistic EV range guess. But with diesel bans looming, this might be the last hurrah for the oil-burners.

Driving experience: Predictable, comfortable, and slightly synthetic
The DCC Pro adaptive suspension allows 15 levels of adjustment, making the ride as soft as grandma’s couch or as firm as a racetrack special. But don’t be fooled—despite the sporty R-Line trim and 20-inch wheels, the Tiguan isn’t a Porsche Macan. The handling is solid, but the steering feels a bit too artificial—precise, but lacking soul.

Safety: Your personal bodyguard on wheels
VW has stuffed the Tiguan with every driver-assist system imaginable. IQ.Drive keeps you safe, Park Assist Pro lets the car park itself, and Trailer Assist makes reversing with a trailer idiot-proof. And let’s not forget IQ.LIGHT HD matrix headlights—with 19,200 micro-LEDs per unit, you can permanently drive with high beams without blinding everyone else.

The new Tiguan is 77 kg lighter but stronger, with more airbags than a luxury hotel has pillows. A new center airbag even prevents front passengers from headbutting each other in a crash.

Conclusion: The logical choice, with a touch of digital overkill
The new Tiguan is practical, well-built, and stuffed with tech—perfect for daily life but not a heart-racer. It’ll take you from A to B effortlessly, but will it excite you? Not really. Will it deliver a refined, premium feel? Absolutely. And if that’s what you’re looking for, the Tiguan is as safe a bet as a German-engineered cuckoo clock—precise, reliable, and never late.