2025 Volkswagen Tiguan First Drive: Smaller, Sprightlier, And Perhaps, The Most Balanced Tiguan Ever

Since Volkswagen entered the compact crossover SUV market with the Tiguan in 2009, it has since grown to become the automaker’s best-selling model, both here in America and globally. With that kind of success, the Wolfsburg-based automaker clearly knew it had big shoes to fill.

The first-generation model arrived on our shores primarily as a direct German import, sporting very Euro-centric characteristics. It was designed and engineered primarily with those customers in mind—despite SUVs being known to be hugely American in origin and demand. Although it kicked off to a great start, many American buyers thought it was too small and expensive compared to the competition. So, VW reworked the formula and enlarged and reengineered the second-gen Tiguan with a third row of seating to cater more to American buyers.

But despite selling more Tiguans, even that model didn’t quite fully jive with Americans, with some saying the third-row was pointless. So, again, for the latest third-gen model, VW went back to the drawing board, deleted that frivolous third row, and gave it a complete makeover. To see if a third time’s a charm for nailing down the formula, VW flew me out to Montana to see what’s what.

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan First Impressions

At first look, the new Tiguan could easily be mistaken for the new Taos. It sports the same face and shares a lot visually. At least, from the front end. But run your eyes to the side profile and back from the A-pillars, and one can immediately see the Tiguan’s larger proportions.

While it looks smaller than the previous model, the new Tiguan is almost the same size as the old one in almost every dimension. This time, more distinctive design elements shine through, such as its more curvaceous panels, and that bespoke chrome-trim bit that lines the roofline and carries on to the back and over the D-pillar. It’s certainly less edgy with more flowing elements, all inspired by some of Volkswagen’s ID line of EVs.

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

Although the Tiguan is a global model, Volkswagen made some unique decisions with this generation’s North American-spec variant. All Tiggies utilize VW Group’s MQB Evo modular platform, but our Americanized car is essentially based on the second-gen Chinese-market Tayron. Europe gets its own bespoke version that’s slightly smaller, which is fitting for their more compact roads.

Differences and odd commonalities aside, our Tayron *ahem* Tiguan still retains its signature solid road-going behaviorisms. Comfortably civil and stable at speed, both in the corners and a straight line, it still serves as a reminder as to why Germans are the masters at providing excellent ride and handling characteristics.

Around town and at low speeds, the Tiguan feels unremarkable. Pick up the pace, and it seems to comfortably hug the road and even encourage some sprightlier driving, with nicely weighted and accurate steering, a solid on-center feel, and mid-corner composure. It’s no Golf GTI or R, but the Tiguan stays sure-footed at speeds higher than recommended in the corners and will remind you of its limits with a hint of body roll and suggestive understeer.

Braking And Acceleration

Like the outgoing Tiguan, Volkswagen’s ubiquitous EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged and intercooled gas four-cylinder in its latest “evo5” form drives either the front or all four wheels. That means 201 horses and 221 torques for the all-wheel-drive models (207 torques for the front-drive cars). Only the 4Motion variants were available for testing.

The Tiguan isn’t going to win any pink slips with its average 0-60 MPH sprint in around 8.5 seconds, according to our smartphone stopwatch and butt-o-meter. Once moving, however, the EA888 provides ample passing power and a sprightly get-up-and-go feel. The brakes have a nice solid and progressive feel, unlike Volkswagen’s familiar spongy and soft pedal from its yonder years.

For those wanting more, a suped-up turbocharged gas model and fuel-efficient hybrid are on deck for arrival later in the production cycle.

• Acceleration 0-60 MPH: 8.5 Seconds (Est.)
• Top Speed: 130 MPH (Est.)

Performance Specifications

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Fuel Economy

The Environmental Protection Agency rates the front-drive 2025 Tiguan as capable of up to 25 to 26 miles per gallon in the city cycle, and around 32 to 34 MPG on the highway, with an average rating of 28-29 MPG, depending on trim. All-paw versions drop a few MPGs to around 22 in the city, 30 on the highway, and 25 combined.

During our 100+ mile drive around the Bozeman area, the Tiguan’s onboard computer registered an average of around 21.9 MPG. Not great. But we chalk that up to heavy-footed driving to test the acceleration power and slightly thinner air from being at elevations about a mile above sea level.

Interior Design And Comfort

Because the third-gen Tiguan is the same size in nearly all dimensions as the one it replaces, generous interior space remains for both front and rear occupants. Like the exterior, the interior benefits from a complete overhaul, incorporating all of VW’s latest interior design elements, such as the ginormous infotainment screen and the consolidation of nearly all physical controls on the center console in said infotainment screen.

The seats appeared supportive for a variety of body types. But my driving partner and I, who both sport long legs, found the seat bottoms to be short in length. Overall, noise, vibration, and harshness levels are surprisingly high and near premium levels, even with the second-tier SE model, making the Tiguan feel more upscale than its price suggests.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

The Tiguan gets VW’s latest MIB4 infotainment interface and the most current standard passive and active safety gear. It all expectedly feels more modern when compared to the older Tiguan’s tech rider and remains easy to use. Some, however, may still find some of the touch controls a bit of a nuisance.

It also excels in terms of standard tech when compared to direct rivals. For instance, all Tiguans come with wireless smartphone charging, wireless smartphone connectivity (only Tucson and RAV4 match), massaging seats and passenger power adjustment and memory on the top SEL R-Line, Park Distance Control, heated front seats, exit warning, and Emergency assist. For many others, such features are optional or even unavailable.

Tiguans also come with a new, central multi-function “Driving Experience Dial” that allows occupants to adjust the interior’s “atmosphere,” which singularly changes the interior ambient lighting and radio volume on the fly. Its function also doubles as physical volume knob.

Cargo And Storage Space

Volkswagen didn’t have interior cargo figures immediately available. Though we imagine trunk dimensions remain within spec of the previous model due to the cars being nearly the same exact size in every dimension. For reference, the old Tiguan offered up to 33 (FWD) to 37.6 (AWD) cubes behind the second row, which doubled to 65.3 cubes (FWD) and 73.4 cubes (AWD) with the second row folded down.

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Vs. Its Competitors

As a mainstream compact crossover SUV with a starting price of around $29,495 for the base front-wheel-drive model, which goes as high as $39,755 for the top-spec all-wheel-drive SEL R-Line—without the mandatory $1,425 destination charge—the Tiguan continues its battles in one of the busiest and most competitive segments in all the automotive land.

Rivals include the

, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson,

, Nissan Rogue, Ford Escape, and the

. The range-topping SEL R-Line also steps into $37,000 Audi Q3 territory as it encroaches the $40,000 mark. The Tiguan is bigger, however, and among its direct competitors, it certainly leans on the premium side with more upscale vibes, fit and finish, and legendary Germanic road manners and solidity.

The Most Balanced Tiguan Ever

Similar to the second-gen model, the newly revamped Tiguan comes mainly in two forms—front-wheel and 4Motion all-wheel drive—with about three trims on tap to determine various equipment levels. Because the Tiguan’s core bones are so darn good, it’s really down to how fancy of a model you want.

Most will probably opt for the mid-range SE and SE R-Line Black models, which land in the mid-$30,000, depending on where the power goes, representing solid value. We did enjoy our time on the top-spec SEL R-Line. However, if you don’t need something as big as the Tiguan and want to hop into luxury territory, the Audi Q3 is in reach.

Regardless of which trim you choose, rest assured, you’ll be getting what’s probably the most well-rounded and best-executed Tiguan to ever roam the land. If you want more power though, you’ll have to hang tight as a new 268-horsepower variant is on the horizon, and we can’t wait to give that one a spin.