2025 Volkswagen Tiguan review | CarExpert

Should you were to line up the all-new 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan next to the prevailing model, you’d almost think they were made by different corporations.

WATCH: Paul’s walkaround video of the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan prototype

The German carmaker’s third-generation mid-size SUV looks vastly different – rounder, more subtle in its design cues, and arguably more approachable than the edgy-looking model that got here before it.

And after spending a while in the brand new Tiguan in Germany recently, we are able to confirm it’s also more practical, thoughtful, high-tech and likeable to drive, too.

Here’s a preview of what to anticipate when the new-gen Tiguan lineup arrives here within the second quarter of 2025.

How much does the Volkswagen Tiguan cost?

Australian pricing for the brand new Tiguan has not been announced yet, however the brand has stated that it has no plans to supply a cut-price $40K model to compete with base-spec examples of its medium SUV rivals.

In keeping with Volkswagen Australia, its customers want higher levels of ordinary specification they usually’re willing to forego a more powerful engine to attain that goal if it meets a palatable price point.

Consequently, you may expect new-gen Tiguan pricing to start out around $50,000 – hopefully just below – for the entry-level 110TSI front-wheel drive variant, while the mid-spec 150TSI all-wheel drive will add some power and practicality to the equation for family buyers, most probably for lower than $60K.

And on the top quality will probably be the 195TSI R-Line, a sportier looking and driving flagship with the identical engine that features within the Mk8.5 Golf GTI, but with more torque and AWD. It could cost north of $63K.

To see how the Volkswagen Tiguan lines up against the competition, try our comparison tool

What’s the Volkswagen Tiguan like on the within?

The massive changes aren’t just on the skin – it’s inside where the brand new Tiguan really steps things up.

There’s an enormous latest 15.0-inch touchscreen available, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation, and even a connected voice control system that uses ChatGPT AI tech.

But what’s most impressive is the best way the menus are arrange. Anyone who has had experience in the prevailing Tiguan will realize it was logical and easy, but when the brand new Golf got here along the German brand had shifted too distant from that easy multimedia ethos. Now, the brand new Tiguan strikes a reasonably pleased middle ground.

Yes, nearly all of the key controls are still controlled via a screen, which can frustrate some people. There’s a haptic slider control for volume, and there are similar controls for the dual-zone climate system.

Thankfully, the Tiguan gets a ‘Smart Dial’ like within the related Skoda Kodiaq (on this instance, it’s situated within the centre console area between the front seats), which may toggle volume or drive modes – just push to vary the function.

That makes it easier to live with, and usually – after a few days of getting out and in of this automobile – I had no major issues with the controllability and usefulness of the infotainment system.

But yes, I do think you’ll need just a few days to get your head around it. There’s a pleasant big 10-inch digital instrument cluster for the driving force, too, with an excellent level of configurability.

But truthfully, it was the cabin finishes and trims that basically made me feel like VW has tried to up the wow factor inside. There are some glitzy bits just like the ambient lighting on the dashboard and within the doors, which isn’t to all tastes, but the fabric finishes are otherwise top notch.

There are soft trim elements down near your knees, as an illustration, and soft padding on the doors as well. And the seats are comfortable, with loads of adjustability – plus the R-Line vehicles we drove had heated, cooled and massaging front seats, which is able to likely flow over to the Aussie models.

You’d expect a robust level of pragmatic design to the cabin, and the Tiguan delivers there as well.

There’s a shelf section above a dual wireless phone charging dock (no more fights over who gets the charger!) and there’s a pair of USB-C ports up front, plus a storage area with adjustable partitions, additional cupholders, and large door bins with bottle holders.

Also featured within the test cars was an enormous panoramic glass roof, which will probably be offered in Australia – it’s just not clear if it can be standard or optional.

Back seat space is phenomenal as well, with my 182cm (six-foot) frame accommodated behind my very own driving position with loads of space to spare. Knee, foot and shoulder room are all generous, and I had inches of space above my head, too.

There’s a transmission tunnel to contend with, but three adults – or three kid seats – across the back ought to be doable. There are ISOFIX points and three top-tethers as well.

Rear-seat occupants also get directional air vents, cupholders, map pockets and bottle holders within the doors, and you may expect a rear climate control system to be offered as well, plus outboard seat heating, too.

Boot space is claimed to be 652 litres (37L greater than before) and there’s a 40:20:40-split, folding backrest to increase the space out for larger items. Within the boot there are sections to the side for storage, a 12-volt port, shopping bag hooks and an adjustable boot floor.

Under that floor there was no spare wheel within the cars on test, but Aussie models are certain to have a space-saver at a minimum.

To see how the Volkswagen Tiguan lines up against the competition, try our comparison tool

What’s under the bonnet?

CarExpert understands the new-generation Tiguan range will probably be offered with three powertrains in Australia.

Further specification details are still to be confirmed, including towing, weights and more.

It’s unclear whether the available eHybrid (PHEV) and TDI diesel versions overseas will make the trip Down Under, but in the interim it seems unlikely.

To see how the Volkswagen Tiguan lines up against the competition, try our comparison tool

How does the Volkswagen Tiguan drive?

The driving component of this test was just a little bit frustrating, because not one of the powertrains listed above were available to check out.

As an alternative, this drive included time in the bottom European-spec 1.5 eTSI mild-hybrid which isn’t coming to our market anytime soon; the two.0 TDI turbo-diesel, for which there’s apparently no local demand; and a 1.5 eHybrid PHEV that “may come at a later date” but is way from confirmed.

But in every instance, even when the powertrain wasn’t relevant for the Aussie market, it was impressive in its own right.

The 1.5 eTSI had a beautiful amount of urge to its progress, with an electrified bent (48V MHEV) that made it pretty likeable in low-speed situations, though it did have a bit less grunt at pace.

The two.0 TDI was a cracker, with ample pulling power and a clever dual-clutch DSG auto that allowed the torque to maintain things moving. It was quiet and composed, too.

And the PHEV? Well, with as much as 120km of claimed EV driving range, it definitely made for an interesting drive.

My time included loads of all-electric operation and the transition between EV and hybrid modes was delightfully smooth and well considered. It also hammered once you needed to place the throttle down, too.

Otherwise, the drive experience was suitably impressive. The brand new Tiguan is softer feeling by way of the suspension tuning, with a bit more of an involved experience relating to handling.

With light but accurate steering, and a nicely tuned chassis that offered comfort and composure over bumps, we reckon it can be some of the entertaining mid-sized SUVs in the marketplace when it arrives in Australia.

Plus, it appears that evidently VW has listened to criticisms of how much noise intrusion there was within the outgoing model, with higher sound deadening within the cabin in the brand new automobile – though I’m obviously yet to sample it on a few of our local surfaces which, as we all know, could be treacherous.

The security systems aren’t too intrusive, either. There’s a speed sign recognition system that may warn you of speed limit changes, but it will possibly be silenced.

While I personally don’t like lane-keeping tech generally, this technique seemed well configured, to the purpose that I left it on for plenty of the driving I used to be doing.

But thankfully, in case you’re like me and wish to modify it off, it’s an easy procedure using either the massive screen or the driving force info display and steering wheel controls.

What do you get?

It’s too early to say what the usual spec line-up will probably be for the brand new Tiguan, though we’ve got a rough idea of what to anticipate of the top-spec R-Line.

Tiguan R-Line highlights:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• IQ.Light Matrix LED headlights
• LED tail lights incl. sequential indicators
• R-Line body kit
• Roof rails
• Panoramic glass roof
• Leather, microfleece interior trim
• 15-inch touchscreen media system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• Satellite navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• Heated, cooled and massaging front seats
• Heated rear seats
• Tri-zone climate control
• Dual wireless phone charging
• Ambient interior lighting

Is the Volkswagen Tiguan secure?

It hasn’t undergone the ANCAP testing just yet, however the new-gen Tiguan was awarded the utmost five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2024 against the strictest criteria to this point.

In that testing, it scored 83 per cent for Adult Occupant protection, 88 per cent for Child Occupant protection, 84 per cent for Vulnerable Road User protection, and 78 per cent for Safety Assist.

Standard safety equipment includes:

• Autonomous emergency braking
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Cyclist detection
  • Junction detection
  • Head-on collision detection
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver attention monitoring
• Lane keep assist
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Secure exit warning
• Surround-view camera
• Travel Assist
  • Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
  • Lane centring
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Front, front-side, front-centre and curtain airbags

There are top tether points for child seats in all three seats within the second row, plus ISOFIX points for the 2 outboard seats.

How much does the Volkswagen Tiguan cost to run?

Volkswagen Australia offers a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty for its entire lineup. That won’t change for the brand new Tiguan.

Figures it is advisable to know like servicing costs and intervals are still to be locked in, but you may expect the brand to supply a mixture of pay-as-you-go capped-price servicing, in addition to the selection of a prepaid Care Plan (as much as five years).

For context, the present Tiguan has a five-year Care Plan available for between $3020-$3700 depending on engine varaint, which is dear by class standards.

To see how the Volkswagen Tiguan lines up against the competition, try our comparison tool

CarExpert’s tackle the Volkswagen Tiguan

It’s an excellent impressive thing, the new-generation Tiguan – and it must be, since it’s also an important model for the VW brand in Australia.

It goes without saying that pricing will probably be critical to that success, so be sure you check back to seek out out more – and tell us what you’re thinking that it should cost within the comments section.

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