Volkswagen Tiguan (2025) Review

The Tiguan sells on the way it feels rather than what it lists. The body control is tighter than the class norm, the steering is accurate and light, and the suspension absorbs a poor surface with a composure that mainstream rivals rarely match, so it feels like a more expensive car on a long drive. The optional third row is small but real, which is rare at this size. Interior design is clean and the material quality above the beltline is good. Two things drag it down.

The first is the interface, because Volkswagen replaced physical controls with capacitive sliders for temperature and volume that are hard to use without looking, and the software has been slow and buggy through several updates. The second is ownership cost, because the 2.0 litre turbo four is a known quantity for carbon buildup, water pump and coolant system work, and dealer labour rates sit above the Japanese and Korean competition. Reliability surveys place it mid pack at best. Residual values are weak. Enjoyable to drive, less enjoyable to keep past the warranty.