2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Review

VW offers everything from an affordable base model Tiguan, as well as a pair of more premium mid-range variants and an almighty performance range-topper in the form of the Tiguan R.

With competition in the world of midsize SUVs heating up, let’s take a closer look at the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan range to see how it stacks up, and which is the best option for you and your family.

Volkswagen Tiguan Competition

How Much Does It Cost?

Prices for the 2024 Tiguan range kick off from $43,990 for the entry-level Tiguan 110TSI Life, rising to $47,990 for the Tiguan 132TSI Life.

For those looking for a more powerful and premium take, the Tiguan 162TSI Elegance is priced at $57,090 while the Tiguan 162TSI R-Line is priced at $60,590.

The performance flagship of the Tiguan range, the Tiguan R receives a sticker price of $73,790.

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

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Volkswagen Tiguan 110TSI Life Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Volkswagen Tiguan Have?

VW’s entry-level Tiguan Life variants come riding on 18-inch alloys and receive LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry & start, comfort seats with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, three-zone climate control, a rear-view camera with parking sensors and a hill descent control system for the 132TSI Life.

Making your way up to the Tiguan Elegance range adds a set of 19-inch alloys with Matrix LED headlights, an adaptive chassis control system, chrome exhaust pipes, ambient lighting, Vienna leather upholstery with heated sport seats and a heated steering wheel.

Upgrading to the Tiguan R-Line adds 20-inch alloys as well as a sporty R-Line styling package, upgraded leather upholstery with a black headliner, aluminium scuff plates and an R-Line steering wheel.

Finally, the range-topping Tiguan R receives 21-inch alloys with upgraded brakes and blue calipers, Nappa leather upholstery, R badges around the body, an upgraded steering wheel and a surround-view monitor.

Connectivity & Infotainment Features

Volkswagen’s entry-level Tiguan Life variants come packaged with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display that sits snugly below the air vents on the dashboard.

The unit is paired with an eight-speaker sound system that receives satellite navigation, voice controls, DAB+ digital radio, AM/FM tuning and Bluetooth connectivity.

Stepping up to the Tiguan Elegance range adds a larger 9.2-inch display that adds some much-needed screen real estate to the mix and makes the Tiguan feel like a more modern affair.

Over this, the range-topping Tiguan R receives an upgraded 10-speaker sound system courtesy of Harman/Kardon.

Does the Volkswagen Tiguan Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

Buyers will be pleased to know that the entirety of the VW Tiguan range offers both wired and wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto connectivity.

This means that the entry-level Tiguan Life with the 8.0-inch display as well as the rest of the range with their 9.2-inch infotainment systems offer wireless access to Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

Connecting your phone via Volkswagen’s operating system is a simple process, with both touchscreen units offering a bright and responsive user experience - though the base model’s display looks a little underwhelming.

Is the Volkswagen Tiguan Comfortable to Drive?

While it comes in a myriad of flavours, the driving experience on offer in the latest Volkswagen Tiguan is smooth and impressive on a mix of town and country driving.

If you’re after a simple A-to-B commuter, the base 110TSI Life receives a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque, powering the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Acceleration in the base model is modest but more than enough for general commuting, with snappy shifts on offer from the dual-clutch transmission.

Buyers also have the option of the 132TSI Life’s 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol unit that pushes out a much healthier 132kW of power and 320Nm of torque - arguably the best engine for general driving without a hefty price tag.

The 162TSI range produces an even more exciting 162kW of power and 350Nm of torque, with a confidence-inspiring 4Motion all-wheel drive system keeping things stable on the road.

For the ultimate Tiguan experience, the Tiguan R screams off the line with its power outputs of 235kW and hearty 400Nm of torque that hits 100km/h in just 5.1 seconds.

Whichever engine you opt for, the Tiguan range feels smooth on the road and particularly easy to drive around town thanks to its responsive handling and lightweight steering rack, proving itself as one of the most refined of the midsize SUV segment.

The ride quality is slightly firmer than its rivals which lends itself nicely to the task of sharp handling, though the ride can be a bit too firm for those frequenting bumpy roads outside of town.

Keep in mind that upgrading to more premium variants with larger alloys does mean that the ride quality suffers on rougher country roads, though the Tiguan’s rock-solid platform and all-wheel drive system help to keep things feel planted.

Pick up the pace and the Tiguan’s platform feels confident on the highway and proves itself as a lovely grand tourer and a very accomplished midsize SUV package.

Is the Volkswagen Tiguan Fuel Efficient?

Fuel efficiency in the latest Volkswagen Tiguan range depends on whether you’re getting behind the wheel of the more sensible base models or the performance-focused models in the range.

The entry-level Tiguan 110TSI Life is rated at 7.7L/100km on a combined cycle, increasing to 8.5L/100km in the case of the 162TSI range, while the sporty Tiguan R and 132TSI are rated at 8.8L/100km on a combined cycle.

• Tiguan 110TSI Life: 7.7L/100km

• Tiguan 132TSI Life: 8.8L/100km

• Tiguan 162TSI Elegance: 8.5L/100km

• Tiguan 162TSI R-Line: 8.5L/100km

• Tiguan R: 8.8L/100km

How Much Fuel Does the Volkswagen Tiguan Use Around Town?

• Tiguan 110TSI Life: 9.9L/100km

• Tiguan 132TSI Life: 11.6L/100km

• Tiguan 162TSI Elegance: 10.4L/100km

• Tiguan 162TSI R-Line: 10.4L/100km

• Tiguan R: 11.2L/100km

How Much Fuel Does the Volkswagen Tiguan use on the Highway?

• Tiguan 110TSI Life: 6.4L/100km

• Tiguan 132TSI Life: 7.1L/100km

• Tiguan 162TSI Elegance: 7.4L/100km

• Tiguan 162TSI R-Line: 7.4L/100km

• Tiguan R: 7.5L/100km

Is it Practical and Spacious?

Over the years, Volkswagen has continued to fine-tune the Tiguan’s interior, with the end result making for one of the best midsize SUV cabins on the market.

Up front, the driver and front passenger are treated to a healthy amount of headroom inside the Tiguan’s wide cabin, with the end result making for a clean and spacious cockpit filled with clever, practical touches.

The Tiguan’s seats and steering wheel offer a decent amount of adjustability, with power adjustment on offer in more premium variants.

There’s also a neat set of drawers underneath the seats - in the entry-level Life range - that helps to hide valuables from sight.

The centre console features a large storage tray sitting behind the gear lever, a retractable tray hiding cup holders, added storage inside the folding armrest, a glovebox and massive bottle holders hiding inside the door sills.

Move to the second row of the Tiguan’s cabin and rear passenger comfort is strong, with acres of legroom for tall passengers - even behind a leggy driver - and ample headroom to keep things feeling spacious thanks to the clever sliding bench design.

Rear passengers also pick up a dedicated climate control zone, USB-C charging ports, map pockets, a folding armrest with cupholders and generous bottle holders on either side of the cabin.

The Tiguan offers a pair of ISOFIX anchors on either of the outboard seats in the second row, with three top tether mounts hiding behind the seatback and easy access into the cabin thanks to the wide-aperture rear doors.

How Big is the Volkswagen Tiguan’s Boot?

The Volkswagen Tiguan rounds-out its impressive list of practical touches with a very healthy amount of boot space that means all your family’s belongings will not be left behind.

With the rear seats standing and the Tiguan’s adjustable boot floor in the highest position and the second row pushed back as far as possible, there’s 520L of boot space on offer.

Drop that boot floor and slide the second row forward and there’s 615L of boot space on offer in the Tiguan, while folding the second row altogether unlocks a total of 1,655L of boot space when it comes time to lug around some bulky cargo.

Is it Safe?

Volkswagen has become renowned for its well-crafted and safe vehicles, though the Tiguan in base form doesn’t get the full suite of active safety gear you might be hoping for.

As standard, the entry-level Tiguan 110TSI Life receives autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, a rear-view camera with front & rear parking sensors, driver attention alerts and seven airbags.

If you’re looking for key safety features for the city like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts, you’ll have to upgrade to at least the Elegance, which is one downside of opting for the base model.

Does the Volkswagen Tiguan Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The Volkswagen Tiguan’s five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing conducted back in 2016 has, unfortunately, expired.

As a result, the MY24 Tiguan range remains unrated by ANCAP.

What Warranty Does the Volkswagen Tiguan Come With?

Volkswagen offers the Tiguan range with its five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty.

Buyers also pick up a complimentary 12-month roadside assistance package that is extended by 12-months each time the vehicle is serviced within the VW network.

Volkswagen’s prepaid service plans can be purchased for a period of three- or five-years, with a five-year plan offering a free first service.

Five years worth of servicing costs for the Tiguan range kick off from $3,340 for the 110TSI Life range, increasing to $3,700 for the 132TSI range, decreasing slightly to $3,650 for the 162TSI and $3,550 in the case of the Tiguan R.

Our Verdict: Is the Volkswagen Tiguan Worth it?

If you’re after a more refined and mature take on the midsize SUV segment, the Tiguan range does not disappoint.

The Tiguan hits hard when you step inside the cabin, with impressive levels of comfort and practicality on offer, making for a comfortable and well-equipped family SUV package.

With an affordable base model that retains a healthy amount of features, more premium variants higher up the ladder and a smile-inducing performance flagship, there’s a Tiguan for a wide range of buyers.

If you’re thinking of upgrading to a new midsize SUV or family-friendly sedan or wagon, be sure out reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help find the best possible price.

Five Volkswagen Tiguan Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. 520 - 615L boot space increases to 1,655L with rear seats folded

3. Five-seat layout only; Tiguan Allspace receives seven-seat layout

4. 7.7 - 8.8L/100km combined cycle fuel economy figures

5. Three- and five-year pre-paid service packages available