2023 Volkswagen Tiguan Review

In its latest form, the Volkswagen Tiguan range offers something special for almost every type of buyer, including those looking for a well-equipped base model, all the way through to a fire-breathing sports SUV, in the form of the Tiguan R.

Just how well does the Tiguan range perform under the test here in Australia, then, and how has the latest Tiguan managed to fend-off rivals within the ever-competitive midsize SUV world? Let’s find out.

Pros

• Healthy choice of engines and features with an attractive base model

• Sleek, stylish and practical interior

• Impressive performance in Tiguan R

Cons

• Rising prices, particularly for optional extras

• DSG transmission can lurch at low speeds

OnlineAuto Rating 8/10

Starting Price: $42,690

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How Much Does It Cost?

The Volkswagen Tiguan range kicks off from $41,390 for the entry-level Tiguan 110TSI Life, while the Tiguan 132TSI Life is priced at $46,690.

Stepping up to the Tiguan 162TSI Elegance brings the price to $54,490, while the Tiguan 147TDI Elegance is priced at $55,990.

Volkswagen’s R-Line variants kick off from $57,690 for the Tiguan 162TSI R-Line, rising up to $59,190 for the Tiguan 147TDI R-Line and eventually up to $68,990 for the range-topping Tiguan 235TSI R-Line.

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

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Volkswagen Tiguan (162TSI R-LINE) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Volkswagen Tiguan car page.

What Features Does the Volkswagen Tiguan Have?

The entry-level Life receives 16-inch alloys, adaptive cruise control, LED headlights, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

The Elegance adds to this with its 19-inch alloys, IQ Matrix LED headlights, Vienna leather and heated sheets, while the R-Line receives 20-inch alloys and a sporty styling upgrade.

Finally, the range-topping Tiguan R receives an adaptive suspension, upgraded brakes and a Nappa leather upholstery upgrade.

For a more detailed walk-through of the Volkswagen Tiguan’s features, get in touch with our team specialists.

Volkswagen Tiguan Range Features:

• 18-inch alloys LED head, tail and fog lights

• Adaptive cruise control

• Rear-view camera with parking sensors

• 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster

• 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

• 19-inch alloys (Elegance)

• IQ Matrix LED headlights (Elegance)

•  Vienna leather upholstery  (Elegance)

• 20-inch alloys with R-Line exterior upgrades (R-Line)

• 21-inch alloys (Tiguan R)

• Adaptive suspension (Tiguan R)

• Upgraded brakes with blue calipers (Tiguan R)

• Nappa leather upholstery (Tiguan R)

Is the Tiguan Comfortable to Drive?

All up, there’s five engines on offer, ranging from the entry-level 110TSI, which picks up a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder and a front-wheel drive system as standard.

For those looking for more power and a four-paw control, the 132TSI Life offers more power and VW’s 4Motion four-wheel drive system, while the 162TSI offers a healthy power upgrade from the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder.

Diesel buyers have the option in the Tiguan range, in the form of the 147TDI, while the flagship Tiguan R sits atop the lineup with its 235kW/420Nm outputs and upgraded sports hardware.

“With five engines on offer, the Tiguan’s performance starts humble and goes crazy in the range-topping Tiguan R.” Glynn - OnlineAuto Car Buying Specialist

The driving experience on offer in the base models is simple and straightforward, with the 110TSI remaining comfortable around town, albeit slightly underpowered compared to the rest of the range.

Having said that, all members of the Tiguan family are user-friendly behind the wheel, offering a lightweight steering rack that makes parking and tight turns a simple task, with smooth gear shifts on offer from the dual-clutch transmission range.

One thing to keep in mind is that as you increase wheel sizes in more premium variants, the more you’ll notice bumps on country B-roads, though the adaptive suspension in the case of the Tiguan R helps to iron these out, and keep the platform comfortable.

All up, though, there’s a Tiguan variant for nearly all buyers and their price points, with added towing power on offer in the more powerful petrol variants and the sole diesel Tiguan that adds to its versatility.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

With five different engines on offer, the VW Tiguan’s fuel efficiency depends largely on which engine you’re opting for, with the most economical engine, the 147TDI diesel returning combined cycle figures of 6.1L per 100km.

VW’s entry-level 110TSI returns figures of 7.7L/100km on a combined cycle, increasing to 8.8 and 8.5L/100km respectively for the 132TSI and the 162TSI.

The fire-breathing Tiguan R returns combined cycle fuel economy figures of 8.8L per 100km.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

Space and practicality have always been strong points of the Tiguan platform and, in its latest form, it remains one of the leading options in the midsize SUV segment.

Tall drivers will welcome the lofty roofline that adds to the sense of space and visibility inside the cabin, while the adjustable driving position is accommodating for all shapes and sizes.

In base form, the Tiguan’s interior remains modern and high-tech, in spite of the fact it sits at the bottom of the lineup, meaning very few buyers will feel short-changed thanks to the digital instrument cluster and clean layout of the dashboard.

Higher-spec variants pick up a larger infotainment system with leather upholsteries in the case of the Tiguan Elegance and above, while the layout itself is simple and relatively practical for growing families.

“Buyers won’t feel short-changed with the entry-level Tiguan, while higher-spec variants are impressively luxurious.” Dan - OnlineAuto Car Buying Specialist

Practical touches include a storage tray behind the gear lever, a pair of cup holders in the centre console and storage inside the folding armrest, as well as a pair of large door bins on either side of the cabin.

Move to the rear of the cabin and you’ll find a generous amount of both head and legroom, even when presented with tall rear passengers, while the design of the roofline means there are no issues with headroom, either.

Finally, boot space figures stand at an impressive 520L that expands to 615L with the second row sliding up toward the front of the cabin, with the Tiguan’s maximum boot space figures of 1655L achieved while folding down the second row completely.

Is it Safe?

The VW Tiguan range has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five-star safety rating, scoring 96% for adult protection, 80% for child protection, 68% for vulnerable road user protection and 68% for its safety assist technologies.

As standard, the Tiguan range picks up autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assistance, rear cross-traffic alerts, adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera with parking sensors and eight airbags.

Our Verdict: Volkswagen Tiguan Worth it?

Volkswagen’s updated Tiguan range has a variant for pretty much every type of buyer in mind, and makes for a rock-solid option within Australia’s growing midsize SUV segment.

The generous amount of features and comfortable driving experience of the entry-level 110TSI makes it a healthy entry-point option, while the added power, features and driving experience on offer reward those stepping up higher in the lineup.

The Tiguan R is also a particular highlight, offering extremely healthy power and torque figures with upgraded performance hardware to keep it planted and confidence-inspiring at speed.

On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year, unlimited KM warranty

2. 615L boot space

3. Fuel economy figures range from 6.1L - 8.8L/100km

4. Five engines available; the base model is front-wheel drive only

5. Seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive system for rest of range

Volkswagen Tiguan Competition

If you’re looking for a practical and charming compact SUV package, get in touch with our car-buying specialists who can save you time, money and stress in the car-buying process.