VW gives new Tiguan sleeker design, upgraded tech

Volkswagen’s new third-generation Tiguan compact SUV has an updated, sleeker design that the automaker claims reduces the car’s drag coefficient to 0.28Cd from 0.33.

New styling accentuates the lower part of the car’s grille, which extends to the edges where air curtains help reduce drag by flowing air more efficiently around the front wheels.

VW has also included light strips across the front and rear of the car, bringing the look of the Tiguan in line with more recent designs. The car can also be specified with high-definition matrix LED headlights.

Inside, VW has moved features including heating and ventilation controls onto the dashboard screen, which measures up to 15 inches. Like the VW Passat, the new Tiguan runs what the automaker calls its MIB4 (modular infotainment matrix 4th generation) digital architecture for its cockpit and central screen displays.

The plug-in hybrid version of the new Tiguan will have an electric range of up to 100 km (62 miles), which was made possible by switching the SUV to the updated version VW Group’s MQB platform.

The Tiguan is VW’s No. 3-selling model in Europe after the T-Roc small SUV and Golf compact hatchback. The Tiguan was also Europe's No. 1-selling compact SUV through August with a volume of 113,150, figures from market reseacher Dataforce show.

The third-generation model uses the new Evo version of the MQB platform, which will be shared with the forthcoming VW Passat midsize wagon, Skoda Superb midsize car and Skoda Kodiaq midsize SUV.

The platform incorporates a bigger 19.7-kilowatt-hour battery for the 1.5-liter plug-in hybrid version, as well as adaptive chassis control with adjustable shock absorbers, VW said.

The broad use of the platform allowed VW to “democratize” high-tech advances thanks to economies of scale, Kai Grünitz, VW brand head of development, said in statement.

The new Tiguan will only be available in one length, with the bigger Allspace midsize version replaced by the new Tayron SUV due in 2025, VW said in an email. The Tiguan Allspace will remain on sale until then.

The Tiguan will be available with plug-in hybrid, diesel, gasoline and mild-hybrid gasoline powertrains. No details were given, but powertrains will likely match those of the new Passat, which will offer a 1.5-liter mild-hybrid, a 2.0-liter turbo gasoline with two power outputs and a 2.0-liter diesel with three power outputs, depending on market.

The eHybrid is expected to be offered with either 201 hp or 268 hp.

All models come with a dual-clutch transmission, which has allowed VW to move the gear selector onto the steering wheel column.

On the central console where the gear lever used to be is a dial with a built-in screen that can be programmed to control the driving profile, radio volume or the background lighting colors.

At 652 liters, the new Tiguan's trunk is 37 liters larger than in the model it replaces.

Otherwise, the height, width and wheelbase of the car “remain practically identical to the predecessor,” VW said without giving figures.

Equipment available on the car includes massage seats, dynamic road sign assist, Travel Assist semi-autonomous driving, lane keeping assist, and lane change assist.

The new Tiguan will arrive at dealerships in Europe in the first quarter of 2024, VW said.

No prices have been given, although they are expected to be higher than the current model's €32,930 base price.

VW said it has sold more than 7.6 million Tiguans since its debut in 2007, making it one of its most successful models ever.