2025 Volkswagen Tiguan 4Motion - Bottom Line Review

GEN. 3 OF PEOPLE'S CAR JUNGLE ODD COUPLE SUV : In the annals of unlikely relationships, few have been as fruitful as that of the tiger and iguana at German automaker, Volkswagen.

Nearly two decades have elapsed since the VW Tiguan compact crossover utility vehicle was born of predators' portmanteau. Although dimensions have varied by markets, more than eight million Tiggy's have been pumped out, making it the Teutonic brand's best selling model currently.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan is the all-new third generation of Teutonic SUV inheriting its grandparents feline and reptilian motoring genes.

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WHAT: 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line 4-Motion 2- Row mid size crossover sport utility vehicle. This third generation of VW's best seller in America, riding on the MQB Evo platform, is known as the Mk. 2 Tayron in other markets. It replaces the Mk. 2 long wheelbase Tiggy.

WHAT MOTIVATES: The American market receives the latest emissions reducing update to the EA888 turbocharged twin-cam 2.0L inline-four petrol engine. One decade on, now incorporating friction reduction, the power figure returns to the 200 mark it last generated in the Mk.1 Tiguan. Retaining the same torque figure as in the Mk. 2, the Evo5 mill, still matched with the Aisin manumatic planetary automatic transaxle doesn't dramatically alter the accelerative character of the newest Tiguan. Expect undramatic efficiency minded shifting, and just enough torque to get a robust merge into highway traffic. But beware the dratted start-stop idle and the long gas pedal tip in making jumping off the line an impossible feat.

(Expect that to change by this coming winter when an R-Line Turbo trim will be fortified with the higher tune EA888 Evo3 mill from the larger Atlas. That is to be followed by hybrid electrification, already available in other markets.)

POWERTRAIN HITS and MISSES

• +1 Transaxle holds low gears; pleasantly engaging four-cylinder sound
• -1 Long throttle step-in; Hardly stellar fuel economy

WHAT (A) STYLING DIFFERENCE(S): The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan remains a stubbier (by 2.8"-inches) MQB Evo platform sport activity coupe version of the full size VW Atlas 3-Row. Any departures from the original Atlas Cross Sport are subtle, mostly ornamental, with a few cues adopted from the VW Taos compact crossover.

Exterior Retained: √ Flared wheel arches and punched out liftgate; √ Slender D-pillar + prominent buttressed roof spoiler = floating roof effect; √ Wheel arch tracing meeting pronounced cheat-line creases are shared with big brother as are lower door creases fold into dark body cladding; √ Fender to front door chrome portholes along the cheatline crease.

√ Split wrap-around, inverse L-shaped tail-light housings gain a straked pattern; √ Chrome band connecting taillamps embossed with "ATLAS" model designation; √ Corner vents on the lower rear fascia replace former tail pipe cutouts split by a darkened faux skid plate.

Exterior Gained FOR '25: √ Sub-hood upper grille light bar; √ Darkened triple lateral bar & chain-link grille; √ Stacked element LED headlamp housings; √ Split front bumper cover + corner fangs w/ darkened lateral straking; √ Cross segmented lower front fascia; √ Full span rear mid liftgate lightbar; √ Lower rear diffuser + simulated twin rectangular dual exhaust outlets; √ Front + rear illuminating "VW" emblems

WHY: A knock out third generation People's Car compact crossover SUV was in order to bolster VW's fortunes in America.

WHEN: On-Sale (in the U.S.) since late Spring 2025

WHERE: Volkswagen new vehicle dealers

WHERE MADE: Puebla, Mexico

WHERE TO: available Haldex all-wheel drive, e-varies front/ rear traction from 90/10% - lockable at maximum 50/50%, rear e-clutch differential limits the slip; ABS descent control

Drive Mode Select: Eco, Sport, Comfort, Snow & Off-Road^{(4Motion equipped exclusively)}

HOW ROADWORTHY: No greater mass and a 12% power bump, with the meat of the torque at lower engine speeds fueled expectations for a modestly speedier 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan 4Motion. The eight-speed Aisin automatic transmission now locks lower gears longer at crawling speeds, aiding in brisker hammer down responsiveness. The latest EA 888 sounds more engaging than most four-bangers, without the raucousness of other direct injection systems. On the efficiency end, fuel consumption isn't any worse than before, and remains reasonable in the motorways. However, Tiggy fans seeking efficiency improvement would better wait for the upcoming hybrid powertrain.

Riding on the latest MQB evo (revised for upcoming plug-in hybrid fitment), it is immediately apparent that the third generation VW Tiguan envelopes rather than skates on road surfaces. The result is more compliance with less jostling than the lastest Atlas CrossSport, without sacrificing body motion cohesiveness. Indeed the sumptuously wrapped helm turns with a more engaging feel on center, though responsiveness remains laggardly. While brake specs are impressively large, pedal offset makes for poor locating and the reaction starts off spongy.

HOW FAR: 25 combined miles per gallon; 435 miles estimated range

HOW BIG/ LITTLE: √ 5 Occupant seating; √ At or near the top of compact SUV segment in cabin space; √ 60/40% near flat folding 2nd Row seatbacks

• +1 Generous headroom, despite panoramic moonroof,
• -1 No split sliding 2nd Row seating, nor reclining seatbacks

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan dimensions and capacities compared:

• 109.9" Wheelbase: 0.9" < Mazda CX-50, 4.0" > Toyota RAV4
• 40.2" 2nd Row legroom: 0.2" > Mazda CX-50, 2.2" > Toyota RAV4
• 26.5 - 59.0 cubic feet cargo space: -15% - +5% vs. Mazda CX-50, -28% - -15% vs. Toyota RAV4

HOW USEFUL: √ near flat folding 60/40% 2nd Row seat backs; √ variable height power approach activated liftgate (SEL); √ Cup holders x 4, bottle holders (in door pockets) x 4.

• +1 Sub cargo floor storage & doughnut spare; Deep long 1st Row center console storage, Adjustable center armrest tilt
  • Vertical, elastic inductive wireless device charging pocket
• -1 Short center armrest

HOW SAFE:√ 10 airbags; √ IIHS not yet tested (2022 MY Top Safety Pick Plus); √ Rear camera; √ Reverse tilting passenger side mirror.

Driver Assistance = I.Q. Drive: √ Front & rear radar; √ Front collision & pedestrian avoidance braking; √ Blind spot & rear cross traffic warning & avoidance braking; √ Adaptive cruise control, stop & go; √ Lane keep assist; √ Travel Assist hands-on capacitive steering wheel semi-autonomy; √ Auto high beam LED headlamps

• Available (on trims): √ 360^o Surround cameras; √ Park Distance warning, front + rear (SE and up); √ Park Steering Assist, parallel + perpendicular; √ Road sign display; √ Adaptive LED headlights; √ Exit warning
• +1 Tall greenhouse provides ample outward view
• -1 Lane departure warning alarm triggered too easily.

HOW PEOPLE FRIENDLY: The 2025 VW Tiguan continues cabin minimalization through adoption of new connective technology, with a more capable operational user interface, with impressive voice command capability. However, the update brings more touches of refinement. Display graphics have been improved, and there is more contrasting in materials as well as touch point padding. Dashboard layout and vent integration is among the more cohesive and rather artful. Accent panels offer improved contrast, and the simulated wood grain is convincing. Never before has there been such choice in ambient cabin colorization or 1st Row massaging seats at the price point, in the segment.

√ Leather seating; √ Wide seat cushions + improved bolstering √ 10-way driver, 8-way front passenger power seats, w/ massage + 3 memory settings; √ Heated 1st & 2nd row seats, Cooled 1st Row; √ Heated leather steering wheel with spoke integrated tactile redundant controls; √ 2-zone automatic climate control; √ Power windows x 4 full express; Panoramic moonroof with power sunshade

• -1 Fixed front center armrest; -1 Limited steering wheel reach adjustment; -1 Stiff seat cushions

Cool Gizmo(s): √ NEW FOR '25 shift by wire steering wheel right side twist shifter stalk (similar to ID electric models); √ Media display gesture activation; √ Panoramic glass roof;^{(-1 Finger touch + drag overhead console operation)} √ 10.25" inch Digital Cockpit Pro configurable LCD instrument cluster w/ infotainment navigation map mirroring; √ 30 variable color ambient cabin dash, door panel & footwell illumination + passenger side dashboard "R" lettering set in stars; √ Overhead console finger drag zone map lighting.

Details Done Right: √ Blue contrast quilted seat inserts; √ Contrast stitched seam leatherette dash top & upper door panels; √ Aluminum pedals + rubber grips; √ Brushed metal door panel latch release & speaker housing; √ Ersatz woodgrain dashboard accents; √ Steel high frequency audio speaker grills; √ Foot well & door panel ambient lighting; √ Exquisite soft touch piano black key FOB (matching center console trim); √ Felt lined door pockets minimizes change or keys jingle jangling;

Nearly Non-Descript: -1 Coarse grain below waist-height plastic cabin trim; flimsy 2nd Row seat back trim; Glossy tablet style infotainment screen = "fingerprint magnet."

HOW CONNECTED: √ MIB 3 "Discover" tablet style 12.9" flat-panel capacative touch LCD tri-pane infotainment screen w/ hand proximity menu populating + page selectable app widgets; √ Voice command hands-free Bluetooth communications; √ GPS HDD Navigation √ wireless Android Auto + Apple Car Play smart phone app projection; √ Amazon Alexa commands; √ 180 W, 6- speaker streaming audio; √ VW Media Control media playback on connected in-cabin mobile devices; √ USB-C x 5, 115V AC x 1 (Row 2), 12V x 1 (cargo); √ Qi inductive lower center stack wireless charging pad.

• -1 Touch to slide panel controls for cabin temperature + audio volume didn't get the memo yet from the steering wheel spoke design to revert to buttons & knobs

Audibly Speaking: 12 speaker, 700 Watt Harman/Kardon premium audio brings punch & less shrill highs but lacks soundstage depth.

HOW "APP" -LICABLE: √ Subscription based VW Car-Net telematics; √ VW Media Control media playback on connected in-cabin mobile devices; √ USB x 5, 115V AC x 1 (Row 2), 12V x 1 (cargo); √ Wireless charger; √ Parkopedia^TM native navigation off-street parking information locator.

HOW MUCH: $41,180 = 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0T SEL R-Line 4Motion as tested

WHAT'S MISSING: Hybrid propulsion option

ANY COMPETITION:

• Honda CRV, Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-50: all available as battery electric hybrid
• Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4: also available as plug-in battery electric hybrid