The bigger, beefier design of the Tiguan is still here, but does it live up to its body’s big promise? The German engineers over at VW have unveiled the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. It is a beast to behold, but does it have the power to match? Today we’ll answer that question and more with our review.
If you’ve been looking into buying a new SUV, you may have been considering the VW Tiguan. We’ll break down the features, trims and drive experience to help you make an informed decision. Is this the right car for your family, or should you opt for a different SUV?
2019 Volkswagen Tiguan Review
What’s New?
Honestly, not much is new this year. That’s to be expected: 2017 to 2018 saw a huge redesign for the Tiguan. If you missed it, the Tiguan grew by about a foot between 2017 and 2018, and got room for a third row or additional cargo space.
The true changes this year are really minor. The SE trim level gets a standard alarm system, while the SEL trim now gets a digital gauge cluster. Oh, and the SEL gets parking sensors, now, too. That’s about all that’s new to the Tiguan this year.
Trim Levels
Speaking of trim levels, let’s get into those a bit more. There are four, and they’re pretty easy to parse. The base trim is S, and it starts a $25,290. The SE trim is $27,690, while the SEL is $32,790. The high end is the SEL Premium trim, which goes for an eye-watering $38,190. That puts the Tiguan in the mid-range of price at the base level and up to the “luxury” mark for the high end.
All trim levels get a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 184 horsepower and automatic eight-speed transmission. Buyers can opt for a four-wheel drive powertrain, though in any event the engine never really feels quite powerful. The body’s massive size actually somewhat belies the underwhelming engine under the hood.
Fuel Economy
Another important consideration with any new vehicle is gas mileage. Impressively, the front-wheel-drive model gets 32 mpg highway, making it a surprisingly efficient engine for an SUV. That goes double for just how big the Tiguan is. It looks and handles a bit like a tank, so the good fuel economy is a welcome boon.
Ride Quality
While the engine is nothing special, the ride quality is solid. It’s not terribly precise, and it won’t be taking turns with anything resembling speed. That said, the ride is quiet and smooth, which will be more than enough for most use-cases. If you’re getting an SUV to tear up the road, you’re probably missing out on some great sports cars that you would rather have.
That said, the automatic transmission feels like it’s never in a hurry. The car can even feel sluggish as it hesitates to downshift, keeping you somewhat locked in awkward rhythms, especially during heavy traffic. In any event, it’s fine for going on trips or picking up groceries. It’s just less than ideal for driving downtown or on crowded highways.
Interior Features
The interior is simple, in the classic VW style. It’s not showy or flashy and it gets the job done while remaining comfortable. It’s hard to say whether this is a good thing or bad thing and it really more up to your individual preferences.
Impressively, the Tiguan uses its space efficiently enough that you can squeeze seven people into the vehicle, including the driver. That makes this a great compromise for bigger families that don’t want to bump up to the minivan level but need tons of seats.
The standard trim has cloth seating, but you can opt for faux-leather seats with higher trim levels. The seats themselves are comfortable and well-made, and never feel to cramped. Even with seven people squeezed in, everyone has ample legroom (assuming they’re not NBA player-sized, of course.)
Bottom Line
Between the unassuming interior, large cargo space, good fuel economy and smooth ride, there’s a lot to like about this vehicle. On the flip side, those looking for a flashier vehicle, or one with more fun under the hood, should look elsewhere. While the prices are mid-level for the base trim, you get a lot of good features standard.
Notable among the standard features is the excellent Car-Net infotainment system. The large, easy-to-navigate system makes you feel like all of your car’s features are right at your fingertips. As for non-standard features, there are ample safety features available at higher trim levels. Examples include Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitoring and emergency braking.
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