Volkswagen’s Tiguan compact crossover SUV, which has been available for over a decade, received a significant redesign for 2018, so the 2019 model carries over. Even amidst strong competition, the Tiguan stands out with clean styling, ample space, and a nice interior.
The Tiguan offers one engine, a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, that makes 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. With front-wheel drive (FWD), the Tiguan manages 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined. Adding all-wheel drive (AWD) drops the city and combined ratings by a single mpg.
The FWD Tiguan comes standard with third-row seats, making it stand out among compact crossovers. Shoppers looking for AWD can also get the third-row seats as an option. In the three-row configuration, you have have 73.5 cubic feet of cargo space available with second and third rows folded.
The Tiguan is available in S, SE, or SEL trims. The standard S gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cloth seats, a sporty flat-bottom steering wheel, and a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen. Stepping up to the SE adds keyless ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power driver’s seat, heated front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, and a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen. The range-topping SEL Premium model gets proper leather seats, a Fender stereo, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a power liftgate, and safety features like active-lane control and parking sensors.
The Tiguan received a Top Safety Pick rating with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2017. The SE and SEL Premium get automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and blind-spot monitors. Adaptive cruise control comes standard on the SEL; active-lane control, parking sensors, and automatic high beams come with the SEL Premium.
While it is comfy and handsome, the Tiguan faces stiff competition from the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, which are the two reigning juggernauts of the compact crossover segment. The Nissan Rogue and Mazda CX-5 are two other appealing options, but at its price point the Tiguan is the only one that can boast European design and plenty of space.
