2023 Volkswagen Tiguan

　　

2023 Volkswagen Tiguan Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　The Tiguan is a small crossover with comfort, space and standout styling reminiscent of the larger Volkswagen Atlas and even budget-busting Audis. The interior is also quite nice, especially on the top-trim version that has real leather seating, contrast-color stitching and a sharp digital instrument panel. A pleasant, controlled ride is another Tiguan strength, as is the vast amount of passenger and cargo space. There's so much room, in fact, that the Tiguan is one of the few compact SUVs with an optional third row of seating.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan S 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$141/mo  for Tiguan S

　　Tiguan S

　　S 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $26,950 MSRPS 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $28,450 MSRPSE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $30,580 MSRPSE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $32,080 MSRPSE R-Line Black 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $33,310 MSRPSE R-Line Black 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $34,810 MSRPSEL R-Line 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $37,680 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　The tough truth, though, is that many two-row crossovers in the compact segment offer those same strengths. Competitors like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 are quicker, while the Hyundai Tucson and Subaru Forester are less expensive. To see if the Tiguan offers the features and flexibility you want in a small SUV, read on to see what our experts have to say about the Tiguan.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.6

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Tiguan drive? The turbocharged engine is reasonably strong. We tested a front-wheel-drive Tiguan and it accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 8.9 seconds, which is average for a small three-row SUV. But the Tiguan has a problem deploying its power smoothly and is somewhat prone to both underreacting and overreacting to moderate requests for more power. This makes it occasionally difficult to accelerate smoothly.

　　The steering has good accuracy and excellent weighting. Whether you're navigating a parking lot or a twisty road, the Tiguan is a willing partner. The brakes, too, are light and easy to manage. Smooth stops can be made without a second thought. Outright stopping power isn't the best, due in large part to fairly low-grip tires, but our test Tiguan demonstrated good stability and composure in our emergency braking tests.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Tiguan? With a ride that borders on plush, it's clear Volkswagen made comfort a priority with the Tiguan. Sharp bumps are nicely rounded off, and the highway ride manages to float over imperfections while maintaining very good body control. Even larger potholes are absorbed without much notice.

　　Once underway, the Tiguan boasts a quiet cabin with minimal engine, road and wind noise even at elevated speeds. The engine does sound somewhat crude when pulling away from a stop, but it blends into the background quickly. The climate system's touch-sensitive controls aren't our favorite, but the system otherwise provides good air coverage and adjustability.

　　Front seat comfort is OK, but we wish they offered a bit more support, especially in the bottom cushions, and better breathability. The outboard second-row seats offer welcome sculpting and bolstering, but the third-row seats are barely functional for anyone but small children.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below