The Volkswagen Tiguan was introduced in 2008 as the brand’s first compact SUV, when the sector was still something of an unknown quantity. Perhaps that’s why the original Tiguan feels like a toe in the water—offered with just one engine and a limited range of trims, it was a tentative step into a new market. Today, that market is both mature and has hugely expanded, and the Tiguan is one of three compact SUVs (including the ID.4 electric crossover) the brand sells in the US.
Although it’s tempting to think of the first-generation Tiguan as little more than a slightly taller Golf, the truth is that it actually shared its basic platform with the Volkswagen Passat of the time. And while it appeared to be on the small side of compact, it was actually slightly longer and taller than one of its key rivals—the Toyota RAV4. The Tiguan also offered more ground clearance than the RAV4, but wasn’t pitched as a rugged off-road machine, with front-wheel drive as standard and “4Motion” all-wheel drive (AWD) as an option for higher-spec models. The engine was a “TSI” turbocharged 2.0-liter with 200 horsepower, giving the Tiguan strong performance. It had handling to match, and felt more responsive than many similar SUVs through corners. With a roomy, good-quality interior, the Tiguan had everything it needed to succeed, but it was also expensive and sales were relatively low.
That all changed with the second-generation, Tiguan which arrived in 2017. This time around, it was significantly longer, with a seven-seat rather than five-seat capacity. In fact, the Tiguan for the US is sold as the Tiguan Allspace in European markets as a separate seven-seat, long-wheelbase version of the standard five-seater. The switch to the new layout was a commercial success, with more than four times as many sold in the second generation’s first full year of sales.
As before, just one 2.0-liter turbocharged engine was available, this time with 184 horsepower, but now with an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard. Front-wheel drive remained the default drivetrain, with all-wheel drive as an option.
An all-new, third-generation version of the Tiguan arrived in the US in mid-2025, and dropped the seven-seat layout of its predecessor—which had often been criticized for its cramped configuration and difficult access. Now if you want a three-row family SUV with a VW badge, you’ll need to step up to the Larger Volkswagen Atlas.
As with the second-generation car, power comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, though this time with 201 horsepower as opposed to 184. A more powerful Turbo model is on the way for 2026, with 268hp and available with SEL R-Line trim.
Here’s our guide to the Volkswagen Tiguan, giving you the lowdown on which models are available, the best and worst versions for reliability, and how much you should pay.
Volkswagen Tiguan Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Volkswagen Tiguan Pros and Cons
- Volkswagen Tiguan Generations
- Third Generation (2025-present)
- Second Generation (2017-2024)
- First Generation (2008-2017)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Volkswagen Tiguan years are the best?
The second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan seems to have a superior record for reliability than the first. It’s a better car on the whole, giving you more space and tech for your money.
What are the worst Volkswagen Tiguan years?
The earliest Volkswagen Tiguan models from 2008 to 2010 are the worst for reliability, with a comparatively large number of owners citing engine problems at carcomplaints.com.
Is a used Volkswagen Tiguan a good deal?
The Volkswagen Tiguan can be a good deal if you can find a well-looked-after example at the right price. The second-generation model, in particular, is decent value and offers the flexibility of a seven-seat layout
Volkswagen Tiguan Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Good to drive, especially sporty first-generation model
- Spacious interior with easy-to-use controls
- Lots of safety tech with latest models
Cons:
- Just one engine
- Some reliability concerns, especially with early versions
- Unremarkable fuel economy and no hybrid option
Volkswagen Tiguan Generations
For its third generation, the Volkswagen Tiguan has been completely redesigned, with front-end styling especially that apes its all-electric ID.4 and ID.5 cousins. Nevertheless, the underpinnings of the Tiguan are actually the MQB Evo—which means it actually shares more in common with the Golf GTI hot hatchback.
Meanwhile, the seven-seat three-row layout from the second-generation model has been ditched, and while this reduces flexibility to a certain extent, it does mean that volkswagen has been able to move the second-row seats back a touch, meaning approximately 1.5 inches more rear legroom.
Power comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. This delivers 201 horsepower and 207lb-ft, though at the time of writing, a 268 horsepower version (badged ‘Turbo’) is in the works, set for debut in 2026. There is also a hybrid version mooted, but no specific details—such as fuel efficiency—have yet been released on that.
With the regular 2.0-liter model, however, the Tiguan will reach 60mph in around 8.5 seconds, and the EPA suggests it could return up to 26 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg in combined driving, though this drops somewhat with the AWD 4Motion system specified.
Read our full 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan review here
Second Generation (2017-present)
While it’s not unusual for a new model to be slightly larger than its predecessor, the latest Tiguan, introduced in 2017, was more than 10 inches longer than the first-generation model. This major repositioning was because the US Tiguan is the long-wheelbase, seven-seat version of the Tiguan that’s sold in other markets. That extra practicality came as standard, because a seven-seat configuration is the default layout, whereas the first Tiguan maxed out with five. Now a rival for seven-seaters such as the Nissan Rogue, as well as other five-seat compact SUVs, some versions of the second-generation Tiguan actually had a lower MSRP than outgoing model, which highlights Volkswagen’s target of a mass-market appeal this time around.
Apart from its extra length and seats, the second Volkswagen Tiguan has a similar model lineup to the first. Again, there’s just one inline four-cylinder engine available: a turbocharged 2.0-liter TSI unit with 184 horsepower. That’s 16 horsepower less than before, but there’s more torque, with 221 lb-ft—a 14 lb-ft increase. This time there was no manual transmission option, with a conventional eight-speed “Tiptronic” automatic transmission the only choice. Once again, front-wheel drive was the default layout, with 4Motion all-wheel drive as an option.
With its extra length and greater focus on comfort, the second-generation VW Tiguan has a less responsive driving experience than the first, although it feels solid and reassuring from behind the steering wheel. Inside, it’s more modern, with a sharp-edged design and, to start with, either a 6.5-inch or eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, depending on trim level. There’s vast space in the front two rows of seats, while legroom in the pair of third-row seats is limited, but they’re still handy and fold away to leave a huge boot.
Second-generation Tiguan trim levels were initially S, SE, SEL, and SEL Premium. Entry-level Tiguan S models cover the basics, with standard features including automatic headlights, heated side mirrors, 17-inch alloy wheels, climate control, and a rear-view camera, and you also get VW’s Car-Net App-Connect system, which allows you to integrate phone apps. SE trim is more comprehensive, with dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, power driver’s seat adjustment, leatherette upholstery, extra USB ports, keyless access, and the larger infotainment screen. You also gain driver assistance tech, such as a blind spot monitor, and Front Assist emergency braking. Adaptive cruise control and a panoramic sunroof with ambient lighting are just two of the additions with Tiguan SEL models, while features such as LED headlights, a digital driver’s display, full leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, Lane Assist, and a hands-free powered liftgate are reserved for Tiguan SEL Premium models.
From the 2019 model year onwards, R-Line variants with a sportier look and larger alloy wheels joined the range, building on the existing trims, with SE R-Line Black (later SE Black R-Line), SEL R-Line, SEL Jet Black R-Line, and SEL Premium R-Line models available. An update in 2021 for the 2022 model year gave the Tiguan a major cosmetic makeover, with an entirely new design for the grille, bumper, headlights, and even the front fenders. Changes were more subtle elsewhere, but the interior gained new materials and tech for a slightly more upmarket feel, and standard features were boosted so that even S models included heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, Front Assist, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
Volkswagen’s reputation for reliability is at odds with its semi-premium image. In the years that the second-generation Tiguan has been included in the annual J.D. Power U.S. Dependability Study, Volkswagen as a brand has finished in the bottom half of the table—well below the industry average. The Tiguan itself has been known to suffer from engine and electric troubles, as well as infotainment system glitches.
If you want to take your chances with a high-mileage example, you can pick up a leggy second-generation VW Tiguan for about $9,000. A safer bet would be a sub-80,000-mile car, which will set you back at least £12,000. Prices for post-facelift models with the same mileage start from about $19,000.
First Generation (2008-2017)
As a first attempt at a compact SUV, the first-generation Volkswagen Tiguan more or less hit the spot. Introduced in 2008 for the 2009 model year, it was pitched as a slightly sportier, more premium alternative to cars such as the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4.
This was no rough-and-ready off-roader, as the Tiguan was conceived with a smooth and responsive drive in mind. Front-wheel drive is the default drivetrain layout, with 4Motion all-wheel drive an option for higher-spec trim levels. Power comes from a version of the same turbocharged engine in the VW Golf GTI of the time—a 2.0-liter unit with 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque, which is punchy but doesn’t give great mpg. While the entry-level model has a six-speed manual transmission as standard, the rest of the range has a six-speed “Tiptronic” automatic transmission.
Equipment levels are generally good and, from the start, entry-level S trim included features such as 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control, cruise control, and curtain airbags, but it was really only there to provide a low starting price. Moving up to SE trim adds desirable features such as tinted glass, extra chrome exterior trim, larger alloy wheels, power driver’s seat adjustment, additional passenger seat adjustment, and a leather-trimmed multi-function steering wheel. Top-spec SEL trim includes leather— rather than cloth—upholstery, a premium audio system and a wealth of additional luxury features.
An update for the 2014 model year gave the Tiguan updated styling, with a much sleeker front end, as well as equipment upgrades. R-Line trim was added for the 2014 model year, with a sportier look, thanks to the additional side skirts, the rear spoiler, and the extended wheel arches. It also gains bi-xenon headlights, sport suspension, and a range of interior tweaks. New Wolfsburg and Sport trim levels replaced R-Line and SE for the 2017 model year, while the Tiguan Limited model was added as a runout edition that was briefly sold alongside the second-generation Tiguan as a lower-cost option.
Although it feels like a good-quality product, the first-generation Volkswagen doesn’t have a great reputation for reliability. Considering the comparatively low numbers sold, lots of issues have been raised for the model on carcomnplaints.com, especially for 2009 and 2010 models. The bulk of these are for engine problems, with issues including turbo failure, intake manifold failure, and slipping timing chains. Cooling system and electrical problems are relatively common, too, so it’s imperative that any dealership or seller lets you take it for a decent test drive before you commit to buying.
You can pick up a first-generation Volkswagen Tiguan that’s covered mega-miles for $3,500 or less but, if you want one that’s not as long in the tooth, budget at least $6,000 for one that’s covered less than 100,000 miles. Another $1,000 or so should get you a tidy-looking post-facelift model.
