2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Review: Finishing Strong

There isn't a more popular car passenger car in the USA than the compact crossover, so it comes as no surprise that Volkswagen's entrant, the Tiguan, is the brand's top seller here. What makes the Tiguan a comparative rarity in its class is the availability of a third seating row, and although this row is small and only meant for children, it's great for occasional use, such as on the school run. If a third row is important to you, the Tiguan's rivals are few and include the similarly configured Mitsubishi Outlander and slightly larger Kia Sorento. If it isn't, a vast array of two-row alternatives with five seats come into play - among which are the usual suspects, such as the top-selling Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. The Tiguan is getting old now and is in its final model year here; a redesigned model has already been launched in overseas markets. Its default turbocharged four-cylinder engine also delivers only 184 horsepower, so is the VW's classy cabin and good driving dynamics enough to earn it a recommendation? Let's see.

New for 2024

VW USA is adding the IQ.DRIVE driver-assistance system to every 2024 Tiguan trim. It comprises adaptive cruise control with lane-centering. The base S trim now also gets an auto-dimming rearview mirror, automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, a leatherette-trimmed steering wheel, and - a bit later in the model year - an updated infotainment system with the new MIB3 software and a wireless charging pad. None of the features of any of the other trims see any changes, except for a few minor cosmetic alterations to the two R-Line trims. The enhanced S trim does boost the starting price of the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan by over $1,500.

2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Price: Which One to Buy

The price of a new Volkswagen Tiguan S increases to $28,505 for the 2024 model year thanks to the addition of various standard features to this trim. The SE's price increases by just $625 to $31,205, while the SE R-Line Black will set you back $34,205. The most expensive trim in the range is the SEL R-Line 4Motion, which has an MSRP of $38,505. These prices are for the FWD versions and adding 4Motion AWD will cost you $1,500 in each case. The SEL R-Line 4Motion has standard AWD. All these prices exclude extras and VW's $1,350 destination charge.

The smart money goes to the SE. Even though the S is usefully upgraded this year with added driver assists and improved infotainment, the SE looks smarter on its 18-inch alloys and comes with several desirable features, including a power liftgate, leatherette upholstery, and dual-zone climate control. Later in the year, the S will pick up the SE's wireless charging pad and get new MIB3 infotainment software, but only the SE has access to the panoramic sunroof if you want that.

Interior and Features

The cabin is wholly unexciting but dense, soft-touch materials are used that feel expensive, and most of the tech is easy to use.

The Tiguan's cabin won't set your pulse racing, but it's classy and solidly built. VW uses high-quality materials on the dashboard and throughout the interior, and it's commendably quiet inside on the move. Best of all, a small third row is offered, which is rare in this class, but it's only offered on FWD models means a tighter second row than two-row Tiguans have. Ergonomics are sound, and the controls are easy to use, but the climate control's touch-sensitive controls aren't universally liked and take time to get used to. All trims get a digital gauge cluster, but the base infotainment display is small, and the S gets plain cloth on the seats. Thanks to a conventional, boxy shape, it's easy to get in through big doors, though clambering into the third row is best accomplished by lithe-of-limb kids. Interior space in the first two rows is good, and trunk space ample behind the second row - but limited behind the third.

Space

You get various options when setting up the interior of the Tiguan, but you have to decide this at purchase time, as it's not configurable after the fact. All AWD trims come with two seating rows only, providing class-competitive rear legroom. Opting for FWD fits the third row by default and cuts rear legroom by about an inch to fit the third row in, so if you don't want the third row, you have to go AWD because it's the only way to delete it. The upshot of sacrificing some second-row legroom in the seven-seater is that you get far more space in the third row than in the very cramped Outlander but less in the second row, even when you're not using the third row at all. It's a forced compromise many people won't want to live with, so think carefully about your requirements - and try before you buy. If you want a seven-seater that has a truly spacious second row all the time and you don't mind a very small third row that's only suitable for small children, the Mitsubishi is better.

Cargo

By reducing second-row legroom with the third row fitted, VW has managed to ensure that you get a decent 12 cu-ft of trunk space behind the third row. Folding down the 50/50-split third row gives you access to 33 cu-ft in the seven-seater Tiguan, and folding the 40/20/40-split second row maxes out the trunk volume at 65.3 cu-ft. With no need to make provision for stowing a third row, the two-row Tiguans have a very generous 37.6 cu-ft of luggage volume behind the second row and 73.4 cubes behind the first.

You have various spots to put stuff in the cabin, including the typical glovebox, a phone rest/wireless charging pad, lidded under-elbow storage in the center console, and front cupholders that can even accommodate various bottle sizes. There's a dashtop tray as well, and the large front door pockets are lined to prevent their contents from annoyingly rattling around on the move. The rear passengers also get generous door pockets, front seatback pockets, and cupholders in the fold-down center armrest.

Materials and Colors

Giving away its base status, you get regular cloth upholstery in the S, with two interior colors on offer - Titan Black/Black or Storm Gray/Black, both with a Black dashboard and carpet. It swaps last year's urethane steering wheel for a more pleasing leatherette-trimmed tiller this year. The SE and SE R-Line get V-Tex leatherette on the seats and a cabin in Titan Black/Titan Black, Storm Gray/Titan Black, or Cinnamon/Titan Black. The SE R-Line's steering wheel is leather-trimmed. The SEL R-Line is the only trim to get leather upholstery with white stitching in a cabin that can be had in Titan Black/Titan Black, Storm Gray/Titan Black, or Noisette/Titan Black. Take note that some of the upholstery options require a black headliner, and that all upholstery options aren't available with all paint colors.

Features and Infotainment

The S makes do with manually adjustable cloth seats and air-conditioning, but otherwise, it has a competitive number of standard features. Some of these include keyless entry with push-button start, heated front seats, a leatherette-trimmed steering wheel with manual tilting/telescoping adjustment, and a non-configurable eight-inch digital gauge cluster. Moving further up the range sees features such as leatherette or leather upholstery, power ventilated seats, dual-zone climate control, a larger 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, and more.

The base infotainment system on the S comprises a 6.5-inch touchscreen with two front USB ports, Bluetooth audio streaming, Car-Net remote access via myVW connected services, Wi-Fi, App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a six-speaker audio system. Later in the model year, it will gain a wireless charging pad, and the infotainment system will be upgraded to the newer MIB3 software, but it's not clear whether this means additional functionality will be added. The SE gets a bigger eight-inch touchscreen and adds a rear USB and SiriusXM with 360L. The SEL gets a configurable 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster and a Fender audio system with nine speakers.

Performance

There isn’t much power, but the engine is far more torquey than those of naturally aspirated rivals and works well with the eight-speed auto ’box.

You get the familiar EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine in every Volkswagen Tiguan model, but that doesn't give the SUV GTI performance, as it's been detuned to a relatively meek 184 hp and 221 lb-ft here. It sends its power to an eight-speed automatic transmission with default front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive on the bottom three trims; the SEL R-Line comes with AWD only. This arrangement gives the Volkswagen Tiguan a 0-60 sprint of around 8.5 seconds with FWD and around nine seconds in AWD format. VW doesn't provide a figure for the Tiguan's top speed. Trailering is provided for, but the maximum towing capacity is a low 1,500 lbs with the factory tow hitch fitted. With a ground clearance of between 7.4 and 7.6 inches, no dual-range transmission, and a fairly long 110-inch wheelbase, even the AWD trims are strictly meant for slippery or dirt roads, not for going off-road.

When it comes to the driving experience, the Tiguan doesn't act its age. It's still thoroughly competitive, and some of those GTI genes that come from sharing the same MQB underpinnings shine through when you set the wheels rolling. The steering doesn't bristle with feel, but it communicates what the front wheels are doing better than most, and it's certainly more fun to drive than a RAV4, with excellent body control and a surprising keenness to change direction. Yet, the suspension is still absorbent, and it's very quiet inside at speed. It's lazily set up in its Normal mode, with languid throttle response and a flurry of shifts sending you to the higher fuel-saving ratios, but it sharpens up considerably in Sport. Best of all, it remembers which mode you were in and resumes it when you start the car again.

Fuel Efficiency

Gas mileage varies by trim, and the Volkswagen Tiguan's best mpg figures are realized in the base S with FWD, which returns 24/31/27 mpg on the EPA's city/highway/combined cycles. All the other FWD trims with the bigger wheels return 23/30/26 mpg. The S and SE trims with 4Motion AWD do 22/29/25 mpg, while the R-Line 4Motion models are the thirstiest at 22/29/24 mpg.

FWD models have a fuel capacity of 15.3 gallons, enough for a range of between 398 and 413 miles, depending on the trim. The 4Motion trims have a slightly larger 15.9-gallon tank, resulting in a range of between 381 and 397 miles.

Safety

Crash-safety reviews were a mixed bag, but at least all the important driver assists are standard for the Tiguan’s final model year.

The NHTSA's safety review of the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan did not go off without a hitch, with a front door opening in the side test and the front-collision driver assists not performing according to expectations, resulting in a four-star overall rating. The IIHS hasn't tested the 2024 model, but the 2023 Tiguan scored Good for everything except its headlights, which were rated Acceptable. The IIHS gave the 2022 Tiguan a Top Safety Pick+ award.

Standard safety features have been much improved for the 2024 model year, finally giving every Tiguan VW's IQ.DRIVE suite. Many of the driver assists that have been standard on some rivals for a while are now standard on the Tiguan as well. The S comes with adaptive cruise control, front-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, rain-sensing wipers, an auto-dimming interior rearview mirror, and automatic LED headlights with auto high beams. The SE R-Line Black gains front and rear parking sensors, and the SEL R-Line gains adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera, Park Assist automated parking, and traffic sign recognition.

Reliability

The Volkswagen Tiguan's reliability seems fair. JD Power's quality and reliability rating is a middling 75 out of 100, but recalls have been refreshingly few, with none recorded so far for the past two model years. The last time the Tiguan was recalled was the 2022 model, for an improperly secured spoiler and brake-pipe nut, a rear suspension knuckle prone to fracture, and a blank display for the backup camera.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan's decent warranty should also offer some peace of mind. The limited and powertrain warranties are valid for four years/50,000 miles and complimentary maintenance is included for two years/20,000 miles.

Warranty

Design

The Tiguan received its last facelift two years ago, and it's still classy and attractive, if ultimately unexciting. Some bodyside creases add interest, and the all-LED exterior lighting looks smart, but it's still a rather boxy and practical SUV in profile. The R-Line trims look considerably more sporty thanks to their body kit and more aggressive valances, and especially the SE R-Line Black looks menacing with its blacked-out exterior and wheels. The S sits on 17-inch alloys and has black roof rails, while the SE gets 18-inch wheels and silver roof rails. The SE R-Line Black has black 19-inch wheels, and the SEL R-Line gets the biggest wheels at 20 inches. Both R-Line trims have a power panoramic sunroof, which is optional on the SE.

Verdict: Is The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan A Good SUV?

The VW Tiguan is up for a redesign next year. This year, its standard driver assists are finally up to standard, while other strong points include excellent ride and handling and a high-quality cabin. It's not quick, but the torquey powertrain is still a lot more satisfying than some of its rivals' naturally aspirated engines. You get a three-row option, which is rare in this class, and while it has a far bigger third row than the Outlander, it comes with an asterisk. The three rows only come with FWD and result in less second-row space. So it's hardly perfect, and next year's redesigned Tiguan will probably fix many of these faults at close to the same price. We'd rather wait for that.