2025 Volkswagen Tiguan First Drive: Back in the Game

Motor Trend

16-05-2025

When the previous-generation Volkswagen Tiguan arrived back in 2016, it landed with a bit of a thud. Compared to heavy hitters like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Kia Sportage, it came up short—especially in terms of space, technology, and quality. But VW took the feedback to heart, and the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan comes back swinging, with major upgrades in interior materials, tech, and design. This time, it's ready to play hardball.
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The moment we slid into the new Tiguan, parked against the breathtaking backdrop of Bozeman, Montana, we knew Volkswagen had done its homework. Big screens? Check. Flashy interior? Yes. Heck, even massaging seats are available, something not typically seen in this class.
It's a move straight out of Hyundai's and Kia's playbooks, offering premium features at a price that doesn't sting. More important, VW finally seems better tuned in to what North American drivers want. This new 2025 Tiguan was built specifically for U.S. customers, and despite driving it for only a short time, we're comfortable saying the Tiguan is back in the game.
An Interior That Won't Disappoint
Step inside the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan, and you might think, 'Is this really a VW?' The base-model Tiguan S starts at $30,720 and comes loaded with standard features like a 12.9-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster (Cockpit Pro in VW-speak), heated front seats, and parking sensors. Not bad for an entry-level trim. Climb the trim ladder, and the goodies keep coming: The SE adds ambient lighting, the SE R-Line Black throws in a head-up display and panoramic sunroof, and the range-topping SEL R-Line goes all out with ventilated and massaging front seats. The Tiguan is certainly dressed to impress.
What really sets the 2025 Tiguan apart is its noticeable step up in interior quality. Volkswagen didn't just sprinkle in a few nice touches; it overhauled the cabin with materials that feel genuinely upscale. The base trim has cloth seats made from bamboo yarns with an embossed design to add some plushness, and the top trim goes all out with quilted leather seats and real American wood on the dashboard that elevates the cabin's panache. Depending on the trim, leather or cloth extends to the door panels, and soft-touch surfaces are found right where your elbows naturally land. Yes, there are still some hard plastics on the center console, grab handles, and lower door panels, but overall, the effort shows. VW's design team also deserves credit for its eye for color. The SEL R-Line's brown and black combo looks sharp and sophisticated, and even the base model's gray and black mix feels fresher and more inviting than the sea of bland black interiors we've seen in past Tiguans and in some of the competition.
Volkswagen also moved the shifter from the center console to the steering column, freeing up space and fitting bigger cupholders. It might take some time to get used to how the new shifter works: It's like the one found in the ID 4 or ID Buzz, where you move the selector forward to go forward, and back to go in reverse. The shifter itself could be of better quality, but that's nitpicking.
We've had our fair share of gripes with Volkswagen's infotainment setup—mainly those finicky capacitive-touch sliders for volume and temperature. And although the 2025 Tiguan doesn't ditch them entirely (yes, the temperature sliders are still there), there is at least a proper volume knob that doubles as a drive-mode selector (more on that later).
The 2025 VW Tiguan's interior space hits a sweet spot. At 6 feet tall, I had plenty of legroom sitting behind my own driving position, and headroom was solid, too—though taller folks might find it a bit tighter up top. Two adults are perfectly comfortable in the second row, but squeezing in a third makes it cozy. Cargo space is generous, with handy side pockets for stashing smaller items. The second row folds in a 60/40 split, and you can drop the seats from either the back or the cargo area. One notable change: The third row is gone. Yes, the 2025 Tiguan sticks with a two-row layout, bringing it in line with most of its compact SUV rivals.
Technology is front and center in the new Tiguan, and just like with the interior, Volkswagen put in plenty of work. Most trims come with a 12.9-inch touchscreen, while the top-tier SEL R-Line gets a massive 15.0-inch display. The infotainment software is the same across the board—it takes a little getting used to, but it's smooth sailing once you're dialed in. The graphics are clean and easy to read, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. You also get four USB-C ports with fast 45-watt charging and a 15-watt wireless charging pad that even has its own cooling system to keep your phone from overheating. We ran into some tech hiccups with our long-term 2023 VW GTI, so we hope this new system is more stable.
Behind the Wheel
While the drivetrain updates aren't as dramatic as the interior's overhaul, it's still good to see Volkswagen squeezing a bit more juice out of the Tiguan's engine. The familiar 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder carries over, now making 201 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque—that's a gain of 17 hp over the outgoing model, though torque is down slightly by 14 lb-ft. Power is sent to the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, with VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system available as a $1,700 option on all trims—except for the SEL R-Line, where it comes standard. It's definitely not quick, but it feels adequate.
We put the top-of-the-line Tiguan SEL R-Line through its paces on Montana's scenic, twisty roads and came away pleased with how it handled. The 2.0-liter turbo feels well matched to the SUV's size. It won't win many drag races, but it didn't feel underpowered, either. That said, there's still room for improvement. Throttle response could be smoother, and the eight-speed automatic would benefit from quicker downshifts when you call for more power. It gets the job done, but a bit more refinement would go a long way.
Montana's winding roads put the Tiguan's body control to the test. Sure, there was a bit more body roll in tight corners, but nothing out of the ordinary for a compact SUV in this class. On sweeping curves, the new Tiguan felt composed, with the suspension soaking up even some nasty potholes without rattling the cabin. Overall, the ride strikes a nice balance, keeping vibrations at bay and delivering smooth, comfortable cruising. Underneath it all, the new Tiguan shifts from VW's MQB platform to the updated MQB Evo, shedding about 170 pounds compared to the 2024 model and beefing up its body structure with more high-strength steel.
Remember that volume knob we talked about? It's a bit of a multitasker—press it down, and it doubles as a driving-experience dial. From there, you can pick different drive modes or 'atmospheres'; the latter blends lighting and audio settings to match the selected mood. Cruising through Montana's stunning scenery, we opted for the Nature atmosphere with volume turned down and ambient lighting switched to a calming yellow. The usual VW drive modes are here, too: Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Custom on every model, with AWD versions adding Off-Road and Snow options. As you expect, each mode affects throttle response, transmission behavior, and steering feel.
Our time behind the wheel was short, but one thing that stood out was how quiet the cabin is at freeway speeds. That calm ride mostly comes down to the sound-insulating windshield, but note that's a feature reserved only for the top trim.
What's Not to Like?
The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan marks a big leap forward from its predecessor—especially inside, where upgraded materials and thoughtful cabin touches make a noticeable difference. Sure, there's still room for improvement, but VW has made the Tiguan better across the board. The SUV is more competitive in its segment, loaded with standard features and priced appropriately against the segment's heavy hitters. With the base S trim starting at $30,720 and the fully loaded SEL R-Line topping out at $41,180, the Tiguan delivers solid value, especially if you're shopping the lower trims.
We still hope Volkswagen brings us the hybrid model that's available in Europe, and we've been told it's on the way, just not quite yet. The 2026 Tiguan is also set to offer a more powerful 2.0-liter turbo engine option, but for now, the 2025 model is the heart of the lineup, delivering plenty of what buyers in this class look for.