Volkswagen’s most popular SUV, the Tiguan. Believe it or not, this SUV even outsells the iconic Golf globally now.

Big shoes to fill then, for the new third-generation Tiguan, which promises to revolutionise without causing too many waves.

Let’s be honest, Volkswagen has had a bit of a rocky ride lately. Their ID launch models didn’t quite hit the mark, and some baffling ergonomic choices left us all scratching our heads.

But fear not, the new Tiguan arrives on the spanking new MQB Evo platform. This platform is designed to marry everything we’ve always admired about VW with cutting-edge technology. But, does it succeed?

Cat-A Friendliness

The Volkswagen Tiguan is now powered by a 1.5-litre engine producing 129bhp, meaning this new model can be registered here with a Category A COE.

Obviously, the Tiguan isn’t going to win any drag races. The 220Nm of torque is enough to get you moving, but if you’re running late, the sluggish throttle response and weak performance at higher RPMs might leave you gritting your teeth.

But, dial it back a notch, and the engine is incredibly refined; it’s more than happy to coast along with the engine shut off on the highway. Rocking a 7-speed DSG transmission, the Tiguan’s drivetrain delivers power smoothly when your foot calls upon it.

What About Handling?

With the aforementioned MQB Evo platform, the Tiguan feels nimble, diving into corners with the rear axle obediently following along. Grip is strong, handling is consistent, and body roll is impressively minimal for an SUV.

While it might not offer the thrill of a sports car, it’s one of the sharper handlers in its class.

However, this comes at the expense of comfort. The ride quality, especially at low speeds, leaves something to be desired; the Tiguan can feel quite boisterous over bumps and ruts.

Dialled Back, But Still Full Of Tech

Aesthetically, the new Tiguan has lost some of its predecessor’s rugged charm.

The sizeable grille is gone, replaced by more rounded details like the headlights and a less pronounced shoulder line.

If you’re a fan of the new design language seen in Volkswagen’s ID lineup but not ready to go fully electric, this new look might just win you over.

Have The Buttons Returned?

For those who keenly follow Volkswagen news, you might have scrolled straight to this section, eager for some juicy tea.

Volkswagen, known for its practical and sensible approach, seemed to throw caution to the wind with the Mk8 Golf and its various ID electric models, shoving almost every control, including the air-con, into a touchscreen back in 2020.

Well, the new Tiguan feels like a step towards redemption, albeit a cautious one. Yes, the gigantic 15-inch touchscreen still reigns supreme here. However, VW is now introducing ChatGPT-boosted voice commands to reduce how often you have to glance at the screen.

VW claims it’s learning from customer feedback and plans to reintroduce physical buttons to complement the touchscreens.

But Does It Work?

Well, the huge touchscreen is big enough to be in your field of vision and generally operates without fuss. We might still yearn for physical climate controls, but the illuminated sliders here do the job. Just be cautious not to press too long and accidentally blast the air con to its extremes.

There’s even a new touch-sensitive rotary dial, for easy access to volume, driving modes, and moods control. The screen is customisable, allowing you to keep your most-used shortcuts at the top, handy for quickly turning off overbearing safety systems.

Plus, its large size is perfect for reverse camera footage; if you still aren’t able to see the pillar you bumped into, it’s your fault not the car.

Voice assistant IDA is decent when tasked with a prompt, but we feel it is still a work in progress, promising updates as the technology evolves. For now, it handles simple commands in the car with ease, but more complex queries can be hit or miss.

It can fetch trivia from Wikipedia accurately, but ask it anything beyond cold facts, and it might struggle.

Big Enough For My Family?

Room is aplenty in the Tiguan. It hasn’t grown much from the second-generation, but boot space has increased by 37 litres, now offering 652 litres with the rear seats up, and you still gain an additional 1,000 litres with the seats down.

Leave the seats up, and there’s ample space for two adults, thanks to plenty of room for feet under the front seats and an extra 30mm in wheelbase length.

The bench slides forward and backwards, and the seat backs can recline. The quality is impressive too, with plush materials where your hands and eyes most often land and durable plastics where they don’t.

Sensible Reigns Supreme

It’s been an interesting few years at Volkswagen, but the Tiguan aims to bring the company back on track. It manages well, addressing ergonomic issues while integrating electrification and AI user interaction without making too many waves.

That’s the essence of the new Tiguan; while hybrids and EVs might dominate the sales charts, regular petrol engines remain on the menu, and hopefully, they are here to stay.

This mid-size SUV remains steadfastly sensible, choosing subtlety and practicality in a market where many competitors are vying for attention with bold designs and gimmicks.

If you’re looking for a reliable, no-nonsense vehicle for the family that won’t let you down, the Tiguan might just be the perfect fit.

Technical Specifications

2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Mild Hybrid

Engine: 1,498cc in-line 4 turbocharged, mild hybrid
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive
Power: 129bhp
Torque: 220Nm
Gearbox: 7-speed DSG
0-100km/h: 10.6 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 198km/h
Fuel Economy: 14.9 km/litre (claimed)

Price: S$212,400 (Life), S$222,400 (Life Plus), both with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Volkswagen Singapore

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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One of Volkswagen’s best sellers has just made a smashing return, and it’s bringing a lot to the party along with it. 

For those who don’t know, the Volkswagen Tiguan nameplate is a combination of the German words for “tiger” (Tiger) and “iguana” (Leguan).

The German marque now has an easier way for you to remember it, by instilling animal motifs into the rear windows.

Fresh New Design

Its new design is unmistakably Volkswagen yet entirely fresh. The front end stands taller and more commanding, with standard LED headlights nestled within.

The traditional radiator grille is replaced by a glass-covered horizontal bar with an integrated LED strip, adding a modern touch.

The Tiguan features newly developed IQ.LIGHT HD matrix headlights, a high-tech lighting system with 38,400 multi-pixel LEDs derived from the Touareg.

The design also boasts improved aerodynamics, with drag coefficient dropping from 0.33 to 0.28.

The silhouette is dominated by athletic shoulder sections above the wheel housings, and the wheels can be as large as 20 inches. A horizontal LED strip between the taillight clusters accentuates the rear end’s width.

Built on the latest MQB Evo platform, the all-new Tiguan has grown about three centimetres in length while maintaining its height, width, and wheelbase nearly identical to its predecessor.

Despite its modest increase in length, the luggage compartment capacity has expanded by 37 litres to a class-leading 652 litres.

Modern Tech

The interior of the Volkswagen Tiguan has been completely redesigned with the latest modular infotainment matrix (MIB4) components, including a huge 15-inch infotainment screen dominating the centre console alongside a new 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit. 

Other items include a head-up display, and a multifunction driving experience switch with an integrated OLED display.

The new IDA voice assistant allows easy operation of numerous vehicle functions using natural language, enhancing convenience.

For long-distance comfort, the new ergoActive Plus seats feature pneumatic four-way lumbar adjustment, a pneumatic 10-chamber pressure massage function, and ventilation, ensuring both the driver and front passenger stay cool and comfortable.

Singapore-Friendly Power

The all-new Tiguan will be available with a new 48V mild hybrid eTSI system, delivering 129hp and 220Nm mated to a 7-speed DSG. Top speed is rated at 198km/h, and one can rock the century sprint in just 10.6 seconds. Gear changes will be made using a steering column switch, a feature borrowed from the Volkswagen ID. models.

For safety, the Tiguan also features a host of convenience and assist systems, including Side Assist, Front Assist, Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Park Assist Plus for automatic parking.

Dr Kurt Leitner, Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Singapore, shared his enthusiasm: “The Tiguan has been a global bestseller for both Volkswagen Passenger Cars and the Volkswagen Group. With the eagerly awaited new generation, we’re proud to unveil an SUV that redefines design and technology standards.”

“Now available in Category A COE with the enhanced efficiency of mild hybrid drive, we’re confident that the Tiguan will continue to captivate and offer exceptional value to Singapore’s car buyers.”

For a limited time, the all-new Tiguan is available in two variants, Life and Life Plus, with a choice of seven colours, including new shades like Persimmon Red Metallic and Cipressino Green Metallic.

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Volkswagen is revving up its engines to add to the impressive number of Tiguan owners worldwide, currently standing at over 7.4 million. As the German automaker prepares for the official launch of the third-generation Tiguan later this year, they are teasing us with some exciting details about the upcoming model.

The new Tiguan will be built on Volkswagen’s modular transverse matrix platform, known as MQB evo. This versatile platform accommodates various drivetrain options, including TDI, TSI, eTSI, and eHybrid.

While the mild hybrid (eTSI) variant is confirmed to arrive in Singapore in the first quarter of next year, there’s still speculation about the availability of the more traditional TSI variant with its unassisted turbocharged engine.

While TDI models will likely dominate sales in parts of Europe, we’re crossing our fingers for a plug-in hybrid Tiguan to make its way to our shores.

Plug-in hybrids are starting to gain traction in our market, and it’s up to Volkswagen to gauge public sentiment and potentially take a gamble, considering the speculations and potential tax implications.

Although a comprehensive evaluation will have to wait until the end-of-year reveal, initial teasers hint at an exciting product. The new Tiguan boasts a fresh cockpit design and an upgraded infotainment system. And rejoice! The press picture of the cabin reveals a steering wheel with real buttons—a delightful departure from the touch-sensitive trend. Expect a generous 15-inch central display and a mini screen on the rotary dial for controlling drive modes, radio volume, or even ambient lighting colours.

Some VW models in certain markets have been equipped with an Aisin torque converter gearbox alongside DSG variants. However, the new Tiguan will exclusively offer a DSG transmission, with a gear shifter similar to that found in VW’s electric ID. models.

The local specifications of the Tiguan are yet to be confirmed, including whether the optional DCC Pro with two-valve shock absorbers will be available. However, one thing that’s certain is the inclusion of a new vehicle dynamics manager.

This advanced system, part of Volkswagen’s MQB technology, has already proven its worth in the current Golf GTI. It controls the electronic differential locks (XDS) and the lateral dynamics components of the adjustable shock absorbers in the DCC Pro system.

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