- It’s coming! The third-generation Volkswagen Tiguan is set to arrive next year
- The small SUV features a 2.0L engine with 201 horsepower, up from 184
- The cabin features plenty of ‘Atmosphere,’ with colourful ambient lighting and screens
The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan has been uncovered here at the 2024 Los Angeles Auto Show, revealing a third-generation compact crossover that embraces a new exterior design, a wow-worthy cabin, and an upgraded engine. With all these changes, it sets the tone against the dated-looking Toyota RAV4 and boring (but practical) Honda CR-V. Let’s take a closer look at what you need to know about this new-look Tiguan.
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan exterior updates
The 2025 VW Tiguan rides on the MQB Evo platform, which isn’t a huge surprise, as almost all of the German brand’s non-electric cars use some variation of MQB. In the 2025 Tiguan, the wheelbase is lengthened, while the overhangs are shortened, which should help to improve interior space and ride comfort, though that’s just a guess, as we haven’t yet driven the new crossover.
The redesigned exterior seems to borrow some of the design language of the ID.4 EV, which is to say it has slim headlights, an LED Light bar that spans the hood, and an illuminated VW badge that helps the car stand out in low-light conditions. The rear features an athletic-looking spoiler, which is designed to improve aerodynamic efficiency.
Helping the 2025 compact crossover stand out are standard 17-inch wheels; the automaker will offer wheels up to 20 inches in diameter. There are also a few exciting new colour choices on the menu, including Avocado Green Pearl, Sandstone Uni, and Monterey Blue Pearl.
2025 VW Tiguan features big changes inside
Where the new Tiguan is sure to impress is with its cabin. The automaker has refined the interior with an emphasis on higher-end materials and textures. It points out that there will be genuine American walnut wood trim and upgraded Savona leather interiors on tap. Other details like a leather-wrapped and double-stitched centre console further emphasize the high-quality focus.
The cabin doesn’t feel too cluttered either, as VW moved the gear selector from the centre console to the steering column. There’s a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster as standard equipment, which VW faithful will recognize as the Digital Cockpit Pro system. Additionally, a 12.9-inch infotainment screen is standard equipment, running on the MIB4 operating system. Higher-end models can get a 15-inch setup, along with a head-up display.
Alongside those displays is a drive mode selector which also packs a cute little screen, though it’s not likely you’ll be looking at it while changing drive modes on the go. The drive modes are actually described as “Atmospheres,” which will adjust the interior lighting and sound signature to create a more personalized mood. There are up to 30 colour settings for the ambient lighting system, which is pretty robust.
The Tiguan is promising a slew of features to deliver a high-end product. For example, models can come with heated and ventilated front seats, massaging front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, three-zone climate control, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
What powers the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan?
While all of that sounds really impressive, Volkswagen is a bit less detailed about the under-the-hood changes for the 2025 Tiguan. The vehicle uses the same tried-and-true 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine (known as the EA888 to those in the know) but has bumped up the output from 184 horsepower to 201 ponies. There are efficiency gains being promised from that retuned motor, but the automaker also shaved off about 77 kilograms (170 pounds) thanks to the use of aluminum in the suspension and high-strength hot-formed steel in the body structure.
How safe is the 2025 VW Tiguan?
While the current VW Tiguan lacks the Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, this 2025 model may impress thanks to its long list of driver assists and safety tech. There are four new airbags here (located at the driver’s knee, front centre, and rear side of the vehicle) for a total of ten.
The automaker also promises this Tiguan will get its IQ.DRIVE suite of safety systems, which it describes as an SAE Level 2 setup. That means it’s not quite hands-free driving, but will includes features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear traffic alert and more. Also standard is Light Assist (which is like an automatic high-beam setup), parking sensors, and an exit warning to warn you if it’s unsafe to exit the vehicle.
When will the 2025 VW Tiguan arrive, and how much will it be?
Unfortunately, the automaker is being vague about the pricing of the 2025 Tiguan. The 2024 model starts at around $35,000 and tops out at about $46,000, so it will be interesting if this updated model will be more expensive than that. We’ll have to wait closer to its official launch for all those juicy details.