Used 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan for Sale near Santa Cruz, CA

The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan pivots mainstream, adding 58 percent more cargo space. But it also loses some of what once made it unique among compact SUVs.

If you follow the latest car news or are even casually into cars, you've probably heard about how the crossover market is taking over the industry. But it doesn’t truly sink in until you count them all out and realize that there are at least 17 vehicles that technically compete in the compact SUV segment.

Volkswagen has recognized this, and rather than continuing to offer a single niche vehicle, it decided to address the top needs of the modern crossover buyer. That means a focus on cargo space, backseat room, the option of a third row, and the latest in-car and safety technology. In the process, the Tiguan has also lost some of the focus on driving excitement that once made Volkswagens special cars.

The first-generation Tiguan was a far different beast from the 2018 model. It entered the market for the 2009 model year, delivering solid performance and an upscale cabin. On the other hand, it was tight on cargo space and lacked some crucial safety tech. VW has met these criticisms head-on with the ’18 Tiguan, but learned the hard way that you can’t offer the versatility of a scaled-down minivan and do fun-to-drive at the same time.