2025 Volkswagen Tiguan: An "Ordinary" SUV That's Anything But

Behind its mainstream appearance, the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan hides a modern aristocratic athlete with a rich heritage of quality and refinement. The Tiguan belongs to the broader Volkswagen family, meaning some of its features were developed for Audi, Porsche, and even Lamborghini models. So, attention to detail is key, and the overall experience is expected to be top-tier.

The year 2025 is a big one for the Tiguan, as it marks the arrival of a brand-new generation. The German automaker introduces a more elevated silhouette, premium finishes, and cutting-edge technologies for this new Tiguan — a vehicle that could easily wear an Audi badge. Volkswagen has put considerable effort into improving every aspect of its SUV. The Tiguan can now tow up to 1,800 pounds, 300 more than before.

Lineup and Pricing

The third generation of the Volkswagen Tiguan comes in four different trims, starting with the popular Trendline model, which has a base price of $39,310. For that amount, you get a well-equipped vehicle with stylish 17-inch wheels and a 12.9-inch multimedia display. Next up is the Comfortline trim at $42,810, which adds ambient lighting, a power liftgate, and upgraded interior finishes. The Comfortline R-Line Black Edition features a darker, more dramatic look and a few exclusive styling elements, justifying its $46,310 price tag. Finally, the Highline R-Line sits at the top of the range at $50,310, offering a cabin that feels truly luxurious.

Segment and Competition

There are many strong contenders in the compact SUV segment, and Volkswagen has chosen to focus on luxury and the overall driving experience with the new Tiguan. This approach has always served the German automaker well, and there's no reason to think things will be different this time. The competition is fierce, yes, but the Tiguan boasts some compelling strengths.

Competitors: Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Bronco Sport, Ford Escape, GMC Terrain, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Compass, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Mazda CX-50, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4

Design and Technology

If the second-generation Tiguan was stylish and muscular, the third generation takes it even further with a bolder new design. The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan now exudes prestige and high-end appeal. Its new front fascia is more imposing, featuring more sophisticated lighting. The only minor letdown is the color palette, which now consists mostly of muted, understated tones. Unlike in the past, there are no bold or vibrant hues.

The interior of the Tiguan impresses with both its design and level of technology. The ambient lighting makes a significant difference and is well worth the extra cost. As always, the seats are extremely comfortable, and the interior space is more than generous.

Performance

For now, the new-generation Volkswagen Tiguan is offered with a single powertrain option: the familiar 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine from the previous generation. However, its output has been increased from 184 to 201 horsepower. It's paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Weak Points

Still no electrified version on offer.

Strong Points

Its new design fits it perfectly. The cabin is modern and luxurious. More powerful and more capable than ever.

Signature Trait

This new generation will allow the Tiguan to reach new heights in comfort, luxury, and technological experience.

Final Word

Each new Tiguan generation improves on the last, but I believe Volkswagen has really gone all in for the 2025 model. This time, the SUV has been designed with no compromises, and some of its features are more appealing than what you'll find in an Audi Q5 or even a Porsche Macan. Volkswagen has understood that the Tiguan can shine without stepping on the toes of its more premium cousins — excellent news for fans of the model. The German automaker's SUV is better than ever, and the competition had better watch out!

Jean-Sébastien Poudrier