LOOKS

The exterior design of the 2025 Tiguan sees significant updates, including:
— A more prominent front grille
— LED light bars and illuminated VW logos on selected trims
— Slimmer headlights

I was also a fan of the new side design of the Tiguan, which offers sharp lines and a bold profile.

The Tiguan’s wheels range in size from 17 inches up to 20 inches. My test vehicle has 19-inch wheels and all-season tires, plus chrome side accents and silver roof rails.

My test vehicle had a Pyrite Silver Metallic exterior color, but multiple new color options are offered this year, including: Avocado Green Pearl, Ascot Grey, and Monterey Blue Pearl.

The vehicle’s weight is a bit lighter for 2025, starting at 3,600 pounds.

Moving inside the Tiguan, let’s first talk about what type of SUV it is. It’s often referred to as a compact SUV in the U.S., but in reality it’s more of a midsize offering, which is how Europeans would tend to identify it. Since it’s larger than VW’s smallest SUV offering (the Taos), I’ll call it a midsize, and expect it to offer enough room to fit that description.

The good news: It meets those expectations. In my time with the Tiguan, I found it extremely roomy and comfortable for passengers up front, as well as in all three rear positions.

Cargo volume with rear seats down comes in at 59 cubic feet, and that number is 27 cubic feet with the rear seats up. This is middle of the pack when compared to similar-sized SUVs, beating some and falling behind others. Overall, though, these are solid numbers. 

You also get a good amount of small storage spaces for things like your keys and wallet. And the vehicle’s size is adequate for people of all heights to be comfortable, including ample head room.

As far as quality of the materials and features included in the Tiguan, VW has stepped up big for the 2025 model. My test vehicle featured leatherette interior, leatherette-wrapped steering wheel, adjustable ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, center armrest in rear, multiple USB ports, and an illuminated and carpeted cargo area with 12 volt power port.

There are even massaging seats offered for front passengers, typically something you would associate with more expensive, luxury vehicles. Other optional upscale features on higher trims include walnut wood trim, as well as quilted leather (as opposed to synthetic leather on lower trims). Some Tiguan models are so upscale you may as well be driving an Audi.

VW has also placed the shifter on the steering column, freeing up space in the middle of the vehicle where a shifter would normally be. Screen sizes are also increased from previous generations of the Tiguan (More on tech setup later).

There had previously been a three-row Tiguan offered, but I don’t see it as a big loss in the 2025 model, as adding that row would only help you accommodate extremely small passengers, and it was still a tight squeeze. If you want three rows, I suggest you look at the Atlas from VW, or one of the many other three-row options that is actually spacious.

HOW’S THE RIDE?

The 2025 Tiguan comes with a lone engine option — a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged engine delivering 201 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque (in FWD versions). AWD versions keep the 201 hp rating but torque jumps to 221 pound-feet.

This is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel independent suspension, and the horsepower number is a solid improvement on the output of previous Tiguan models.

The system features electric power steering, and a start-stop system for fuel preservation.

I found the Tiguan delivered a solid driving experience that will be adequate for most families, but it’s not overly memorable. Some rivals offer a better driving experience if you’re an enthusiast and want to maximize power.

The Tiguan has trimmed some weight and added horsepower, so it moves fast when you need to move, but it’s far from a speed demon. Its 0-to-60 speeds are roughly 8 seconds in the Tiguan — slower than some key rival SUVs.

Handling is impressive and the vehicle is always responsive to the driver’s inputs. It’s a solid choice for a family ride.

Drive mode offered in the Tiguan include: Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Custom — with AWD versions also featuring Off-Road and Snow modes.

Eco focuses on maximum fuel efficiency, Comfort is best for daily driving, and Sport can add a bit of fun to your commute or Sunday drive.  Off-Road and Snow settings are self-explanatory, maximizing capabilities of the vehicle in those circumstances. Changing drive modes is easy, via a dial on the center console.

Towing capacity is minimal — at 1,500 pounds for FWD versions, and 1,800 pounds with AWD. AWD models also offer Trailer Stability Assist to improve towing safety.

TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

While a strong overall vehicle, there’s no denying that the tech setup in the 2025 Tiguan is one area that could be improved.

A large, 12.9-inch touchscreen contains nearly all controls in the Tiguan, and the screen has a difficult setup that is not intuitive for users. It’s overly complicated and distracting to use, and the climate controls are not easy to access, as one example. My advice to the designers of these infotainment setups: Touchscreens are fine, but give me some physical buttons for basic everyday commands like the climate controls.

On the plus side in terms of controls, there is a well-placed dial in the center console to control music volume. Also, voice commands can help you avoid using the touch system, and are generally responsive.

Other tech features on the Tiguan include:
— Digital cockpit with configurable instrument display
— Satellite radio offered (free trial period, then subscription required)
— 7-speaker sound system is standard (12-speaker Harman Kardon system is optional on top trim level)
— Bluetooth connectivity
— Wireless phone charging in center console
— Top trim lets you upgrade to a larger 15-inch touchscreen

Safety features are abundant on the Tiguan, and they do their job effectively, without being overly sensitive.

VW’s IQ.DRIVE suite of safety systems features highlights such as
— Travel assist
— Adaptive cruise control
— Lane-keeping assist
— Emergency assist
— Rear traffic alert
— Standard forward-collision alert with automatic braking
— Blind spot warning system
— Pedestrian and cyclist monitoring

Other helpful safety features include: Tire pressure monitoring system, Hill Hold Control, seat belt reminder system, 10 air bags, rearview camera system, and LATCH system for car seats.

Using these systems, the Tiguan will reliably keep itself in its proper lane and slow or stop when needed. The driver must always stay alert and be ready to step in, but it’s rare that you’ll need to do so.

One other feature available to help keep the driver’s eyes on the road is a head-up display.

MPG

Fuel mileage is respectable on the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan.

The official numbers on the Tiguan SE that I tested were 25 city/32 highway/28 combined.
The base model with FWD comes in with even better rates at 26 city/34 highway/29 combined. On the other hand, all-wheel drive options offer 22 city/30 highway/25 combined miles.

The numbers hold up well against rivals such as the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-50 and Hyundai Tucson. 

In my real-world testing, I averaged roughly 23 mpg in mostly city driving.

PRICE

The 2025 Tiguan that I tested was priced at $33,720, and pricing ranges from roughly $30K to $40K.

Trim levels include S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line.

These prices are in line with the segment, and even a bit lower than some rivals, making the TIguan a solid value. You can get a strong vehicle with plenty of features in the mid-30K range, and top trims will offer a more sporty design.

Warranties on the Tiguan are decent, but not the best in class. You get a 4 year/50,000 mile new vehicle warranty, which includes powertrain coverage. You also get 3 years of roadside assistance, and 2 years of scheduled maintenance covered.


BOTTOM LINE

The redesigned 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan is a capable, well-equipped SUV offering for a small family, if you can overcome the tech shortfall.

It offers sharp, European-influenced design, an upscale interior, its performance is decent for the segment, and cost is manageable.

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