New Volkswagen Tiguan officially revealed

The third-gen Volkswagen Tiguan has been finally revealed after a series of online leaks. The new SUV will go on sale overseas next year and has been comprehensively restyled and re-engineered, according to Volkswagen. 

1. New Tiguan gets fresh looks inside out
2. Gets latest VW MIB infotainment system
3. Is longer and taller than outgoing SUV

New Volkswagen Tiguan dimensions and tech

The new Tiguan is based on the MQB-Evo platform, which is also shared with a long list of VW and Skoda products globally. VW says the development of the new Tiguan has largely been undertaken in parallel with the latest Passat sedan sold overseas, with which it shares its platform, plus much of its upgraded digital and connectivity functions, including the latest version of VW’s MIB infotainment platform and new over-the-air software update capability.

At 4,539mm long, 1,639mm tall (without roof rails) and 1,842mm wide, the heavily restyled Tiguan is 30mm longer, 4mm taller and the same width as its popular predecessor. Its wheelbase also remains the same as before, at 2,680mm.

New Volkswagen Tiguan interior and features

The headline changes are inside, where the third-gen Tiguan receives a new cabin that sports a cleaner look, more upmarket materials, improved technology and more space than its predecessor.

Among the extensive list of changes is a redesigned dashboard featuring a new control matrix, illuminated trim elements and new-look air vents. It supports a 10.3-inch digital instrument display as well as a central touchscreen infotainment display that measures 12.9 inches as standard or 15.0 inches in upgraded guise. 

The infotainment display incorporates a backlit slider controller similar to that of the latest Passat and ID 7. It also adopts a new MIB4 digital menu structure, with touchscreen air-con controls incorporated into the lower section. In a move that VW design boss Andreas Mindt says will be reflected on other models, the steering wheel forgoes the fiddly touch-sensitive capacitive controls of the old Tiguan for more traditional buttons and switches.

There's also a new centre console, hosting a rotary controller that is used to alter the driving modes, the audio volume and what VW calls ‘Atmospheres’ – essentially pre-programmed settings for the ambient lighting and other functions, such as playlists from Spotify and Apple Music. The settings include Lounge, Energetic, Joy, Minimal and Me.

With all new Tiguan models receiving an automatic dual-clutch gearbox as standard, the gear selector is relocated to a stalk mounted on the steering column. Volkswagen claims headroom has increased by 8mm in the front and by 10mm in the rear. Boot space for non-plug-in hybrid models has also risen by 37 litres to a nominal 652 litres.

Options include a new head-up display unit, which projects information onto the windscreen instead of a plastic panel as with the old Tiguan, as well as a wireless phone charger.

New Volkswagen Tiguan powertrain options

Among the turbocharged four-cylinder engines is a new mild-hybrid 1.5-litre petrol developing either 131hp or 150hp in a pair of front-wheel-drive eTSI models. There is also an updated version of the more conventional 2.0-litre petrol engine, which develops 204hp and 265hp in two new four-wheel-drive TSI 4Motion models.

The turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel remains but with detailed changes to its exhaust system. It continues to develop 150hp in the front-wheel-drive 2.0 TDI and 193hp in the four-wheel-drive 2.0 TDI 4Motion models.

The petrol-electric drivetrain used by plug-in hybrid Tiguans has been heavily reworked. It is now based on the 1.5-litre engine from the new eTSI models instead of the older turbo 1.4-litre unit and it is paired with a more powerful electric motor. However, the two front-wheel-drive eHybrid models retain the same power as those they replace, at 204hp and 272hp.

With a new 19.7kWh battery, they are also claimed to offer electric ranges of up to 100km. The capacity for DC charging at up to 50kW means top-ups will be far quicker. Petrol and diesel Tiguans use a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox (DSG), with the plug-in hybrids running a six-speed DSG.

New Volkswagen Tiguan launch timeline

While the Tiguan is currently on sale in India, it is yet to be seen whether VW brings the next-gen SUV to our shores. Volkswagen, however, will bring an all-new three row SUV to India that will be based on the Tayron SUV sold in China.