As the company's best-selling SUV in Europe and America's most popular VW by a huge margin, the Volkswagen Tiguan is a very important model for VW. Last year, Volkswagen produced more than 910,000 units of the Tiguan and has sold over six million during its lifetime. But having been on sale since 2016, the current-generation Tiguan is due a refresh.

Now, after the updated SUV was spotted in spy shots and leaked photos, the Volkswagen Tiguan facelift has made its world debut, boasting fresh exterior styling, a revamped interior, and new driver-assist and comfort features. In Europe, the Volkswagen Tiguan will arrive in dealers soon as a 2021 model, but US customers will need to wait for the long-wheelbase version, which will go on sale in fall 2021 as a 2022 model and receive the same design changes. Note: these photos provided by VW show the shorter-wheelbase European 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan.

When it goes on sale in the US for 2022, the Volkswagen Tiguan features a fresh new face, incorporating a wider grille inspired by the European Touareg and Atlas Cross Sport that seamlessly flows into the new sleek standard LED headlights. The front fascia has also been updated with the new Volkswagen badge and the bumpers have been restyled.

At the rear, the "Tiguan" lettering is centrally positioned below the VW badge and the "4Motion" lettering on the rear of all-wheel-drive models has also been redesigned. An updated hands-free 'Open and Close' feature for the power liftgate is available on midrange models, and new wheel designs have been added to every trim.

Inside, Volkswagen has added a digital version of the new multifunction steering wheel that features illuminated touch pads and sliders. New touch controls are also available for automatic climate control functions on mid-range models, while the fan and temperature controls are operated with illuminated touch sliders. The touch buttons can also be used to control the new standard heated front seats, rear window defrost, and to open the air conditioning menu. The new Tiguan also comes equipped with the latest version of VW's MIB3 infotainment system with natural voice control, multi-phone pairing, and wireless App-Connect.

Every 2022 Tiguan will be equipped with the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit that allows the driver to configure the instrument display. An 8-inch display comes standard, but this can be upgraded to a 10.25-inch display in higher trim levels. A new ambient lighting system available with 15 colors and new decors for every trim round off the interior changes.

In the US, the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan will be offered with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, turbocharged direct-injection engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. This setup and output is identical to the 2020 Tiguan. Power is sent to either the front or all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, while a start/stop system helps improve fuel efficiency.

In Europe, a hot 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan R will be available with 315 hp, but, like the recently-unveiled Arteon R, it won't be coming to America. A plug-in hybrid variant will also go on sale in Europe producing a combined 241 hp.

In terms of driver assists, the 2022 Tiguan will be available with VW's semi-autonomous Travel Assist system that takes over the steering, braking, and acceleration between speeds of 0-130 mph by utilizing the adaptive cruise control and lane assist, which are available as part of an Advanced Driver-Assist Package on base models and offered as standard on midrange models.

Available on top trim levels, VW's latest adaptive cruise control can detect local speed limits, town boundary signs, junctions, and roundabouts by using signals from the front camera and GPS and map data from the navigation system. US pricing for the updated Volkswagen Tiguan will be confirmed closer to its market launch in fall 2021.