Hitting the Sweet Spot: 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan First Drive Review

The Volkswagen Tiguan is now the brand’s bestselling vehicle not only in the U.S. and Canada, but globally. This proves that times and tastes have changed for the “people’s car” — the literal German translation of Volkswagen.

And the people have spoken: 77% of all American VW sales are Tiguans. Clearly, it’s a very important vehicle to the company. So, when it came time to launch the third-generation 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan, the brand needed to get it right — and Volkswagen did.

In short: The latest Tiguan adds more power, new features, and a completely redesigned exterior and interior. All the parts come together to create a very good third-gen SUV.

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Review

VW has been teasing the new 2025 Tiguan since a press release in November 2024. Six months later, we got to drive one. As promised, the new Tiguan delivers more power, totally new sheet metal, and a great interior.

When I first saw the production Tiguan, I thought it was a handsome redesign, with more curves and lines than the previous generation’s slab-sided style. However, it also loses some of its distinctiveness. While there’s only so much you can do with a two-box SUV body style, the 2025 Tiguan looks more like its competitors than previous iterations.

But perhaps this will resonate with SUV buyers looking at the Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-5, or Toyota RAV4. I think the Tiguan looks a bit like an amalgamation of all three.

The Tiguan is available in S, SE, SE R-Line Black Edition, and SEL R-Line trim levels. All models are available with FWD or 4Motion all-wheel drive, sans the SEL R-Line, which is 4Motion only. Of course, the different models include unique standard features and prices.

Stylish New Exterior

Despite a more mainstream appearance, there are things that make the Tiguan’s body stand out. Like other new VWs, the front end has a lighted LED bar across the fascia with an illuminated VW logo. The large black lower plastic grille maintains the latest corporate identity.

At the back, you get a stylish wraparound red LED treatment as well as a red illuminated VW logo. A black plastic rear bumper treatment also ties into the front’s black grille. A small spoiler adds a touch of sportiness. And of course, you can’t have an SUV without black fender trim, and the Tiguan has this, although it’s glossy versus a textured finish like many SUVs.

If you’re familiar with VW’s current lineup, like the Taos and Golf GTI and R, you’ll notice many of these cues are tied into the company’s latest designs. Again, I think this restyle is handsome, even if it’s not immediately apparent it’s a VW. The SUV’s best angle is its back side, which looks both athletic and refined.

Big Wheels Keep on Turning

Unlike some of the competition, VW pointed out the Tiguan can be had with big 20-inch wheels — standard on R-Line models — wrapped in 225/40R20 Pirelli Scorpion tires. S models come standard with 17s, and 18- and 19-inch wheels and tires are also available, depending on the trim. But the availability of four different wheel/tire packages is impressive.

Fresh & Feel-Good Interior Design

VW has always offered premium interior design, often with more high-end materials than competitors. This continues with Tiguan. The new Tiguan’s interior is fresh and modern with interesting shapes, a sleek, minimalist feel, and a contemporary shape — and this is on every trim level. I spent a few hours with an SEL R-Line model, and it had a few more upscale bits than an SE I drove the day before.

The SEL R-Line included optional simulated wood bits, contrasting interior hues, and up to 30 interior illumination options. The S models get cloth upholstery featuring fabric woven from bamboo, while others get CloudTex leatherette, providing a high-end look and feel.

The SEL R-Line also had heated and massaging front seats, which were comfortable. The massage function was quite luxurious for a $40,000 vehicle.

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Has a Big Back Seat

Of note is the massive rear seat area, which offered scads of space.

Fun fact: In Europe, Tiguan is available in short- and long-wheelbase models; the latter is offered with seven-passenger seating.

U.S.-spec Tiguans are on the long-wheelbase platform but have five-passenger seating. This allows for generous cargo space behind the rear seats, and that aforementioned rear legroom. At this time of writing, VW hasn’t released interior volume, but it feels ample and there are lots of usable storage spaces.

Lots of Tech, But With a Learning Curve

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan has lots of technology inside its sleek interior. The standard infotainment screen is 12.9 inches; the SEL R-Line models get a big 15-inch screen. The larger screen is also optional on other trims.

All Tiguan models get a standard 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro gauge cluster that’s configurable, brilliant, and easy to read. There’s also a heads-up display, which is one of the better units I’ve used.

This new Tiguan has the latest VW operating system for its infotainment. HVAC, music, heat/massaging seat functions, navigation, and nearly everything else are controlled via the touchscreen. While VW has said it’ll start bringing back buttons, it hasn’t for the ’25 Tiguan, at least not here.

No matter the screen size, working with the infotainment requires some practice. There’s a steep learning curve, and I spent a while looking for basic functions. Whether this was turning the fan speed up, adjusting the sound qualities, or operating the massaging seats, it’s not immediately intuitive — something I’ve found common on many VWs over the last few years.

There’s wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as VW’s own native GPS. Buyers will want to familiarize themselves with how to operate the car’s tech; you won’t want to hunt for the right function while driving.

Plenty of Charge Points With Some Clever Solutions

Note: The standard wireless phone charger includes a nifty clip to keep your phone in place in an upright position. It’s located in the cavernous center console, which has a 12V plug and two USB-C ports. There are also two USB-C ports on the console’s rear for backseat passengers.

Tiguans have a slick, stylish center dial in the center console that has a small round digital display. This multifunction control is a good way to quickly adjust the volume, but it also allows you to change driving modes.

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Gets More Power

Horsepower for 2025 Tiguans is up, to 201 from 184 on previous models. Power comes from the A888 evo5, a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine making 221 pound-feet of torque on 4Motion models and 207 on front drivers. This engine is hooked up to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

There are no paddle shifters or any way to manually shift gears, however. If that’s important to you, the upcoming 2026 Tiguan Turbo will have them. And so we’re clear, the 2025 Tiguan has a turbocharger, but the 2026 Tiguan Turbo, which also has a turbocharger, will be the sportier, more powerful model.

Also, like the electric ID.4 and ID. Buzz, the gear shifter is on the column and twists, which takes some getting used to.

The A888 evo5 engine is smooth and relatively quiet, especially for a four-banger. Acceleration is adequate, but not more. Those wanting more gusto will want to wait for the ‘26 Tiguan Turbo, which will make 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.

Volkswagen’s Just-Right Driving Dynamics

While the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan might not be the fastest SUV on the market, the overall driving experience is very good. The ride is classic modern VW with a European feeling that’s not too stiff but not too soft — right in the German Goldilocks zone.

I drove more than 100 miles on lots of wet Montana roads, and the 4Motion all-wheel drive helped give the SUV plenty of grip. FYI, the Tiguan has lost 150 pounds since the previous iteration, so there’s less of it to throw into corners. I wouldn’t call the handling sporty, but it’s also not big and floaty. Again, it’s just right.

There are several selectable drive modes, including comfort, eco, off-road, sport, and snow. All can be accessed using the center-console-mounted dial or via the touchscreen. I can attest that the sport mode does make it more fun to pilot, changing shift points and throttle sensitivity.

The chunky steering wheel feels good in the hands, but the steering itself feels a bit slow and without as much feel as some VWs provide — but this isn’t a sports car.

The cabin is quiet, and the overall experience feels refined, comfortable, and it is a good place to spend time. I’d road trip a Tiguan — any of the trim levels — in a heartbeat.

In fact, the new Tiguan comes together to create a great overall package and is one of the better SUVs I’d driven lately. I really found it enjoyable in all respects. And no, this isn’t an SUV intended to tackle trails. Stick to the pavement and you’ll be rewarded with a good overall driving experience, especially on the highway, where it feels like it was tuned for the autobahn.

Mediocre Fuel Economy

Tiguan isn’t the most frugal SUV, but it’s at least on par with the competition. The S models in front-wheel drive get the best ratings, but the 4Motion models get just 22 miles per gallon in the city and only as much as 30 mpg on the highway. If thriftiness is a concern, this might not be the vehicle for you. VW hinted at an upcoming hybrid in the future, however.

A Wide Range of Pricing

Volkswagen’s most popular platform now starts at $29,495, plus a $1,425 destination fee, for a total of $30,920 on S models. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the SEL R-Line 4Motion stickers for $41,170, including destination.

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Review: Conclusions

The first-generation Tiguan was imported from Europe and was like a tall Golf hatchback — too small for most Americans. The second generation got larger and thus has become the bestselling model for the brand.

This new 2025 model is really good, and it should continue to impress. I really liked nearly everything about it, with my only gripes being the infotainment’s steep learning curve and the so-so fuel economy.

Volkswagen made no mention of potential tariff issues with Tiguan. They’re made at the VW plant in Puebla, Mexico, a place where VW has built cars for 60 years. Its current pricing nets you a lot of car for the money, with a premium feel — something VW has become known for. SUV shoppers should definitely put the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan on their list of vehicles to check out.