In 2009, Volkswagen took the leap into the still blossoming compact crossover realm with the Tiguan. Like many compact crossovers, the Tiguan borrowed its platform from its smaller siblings, specifically the Golf's PQ35 underpinnings. Boasting a compact footprint, European ride and handling and a 200-horsepower 2-liter engine, the Tiguan has been a decent seller for the German brand.
Fresh off of a slight refresh for 2012, the Tiguan's exterior carries over essentially unchanged, with the exception of a revised rear bumper for the R-Line trim. However, there was a slight shakeup in trim-level formatting; extra standard features were also added to the base infotainment system.
Every trim level of the Tiguan features the same, 2-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. This engine mates to a standard six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic manual shifting that delivers the power to the front wheels in base form; you can opt for 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system. These limited drivetrain options make choosing the Tiguan that fits your needs rather simple, as you only need to worry about the technology and luxury features in five trim levels:
The S carries a base price of $25,995. With this trim, buyers get a set of 16-inch "Portland" aluminum wheels, 215/65R16 tires, an electronic parking brake, heated side-view mirrors with power operation, trailer hitch preparations, roof rails for carrying bulky items overhead, cloth seating, 40/20/40 folding rear seats for plenty of flexibility between seating and cargo hauling, cruise control for those long trips down the highway, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and air conditioning.
Moving into the SE ups the price to $27,970 and adds 17-inch "Philadelphia" wheels wrapped up in 235/50R17 rubber, V-Tex leatherette for the feel and look of leather without the cost, a power-reclining driver seat, and heated front seats and washer nozzles for buyers who live in colder climates.
The SE with Appearance adds in a power reclining passenger seat, 18-inch "New York" wheels, a set of silver roof rails for more stylish cargo hauling, chrome trim on the lower door trim and window surround for a more dashing look, front fog lights and cornering lights for added safety, Keyless Access with push-button start for added convenience, and a panoramic sunroof for a wide-open view of the sky. All of these extra features take the Tiguan's price to $30,950.
With the SEL buyers gain dual-zone automatic climate control, a Fender Premium Audio system, and an upgraded RNS 315 touchscreen with navigation. The Tiguan SEL starts out at $33,255.
The 2015 Tiguan R-Line bumps the price to $37,280. That may seem like a huge hike, but it packs a lot of value. Specifically, the R-Line adds in a stylized rear bumper and 19-inch "Mallory" wheels with 255/40R19 rubber for a sportier look, black wheel-arch extensions, a sport suspension system for precision handling, leather seating with power adjustments for both front seats and memory for the driver side, an R-Line roof spoiler and sill kickplates, body-color ground effects, a flat-bottomed steering wheel with paddle shifters, stainless-steel pedals, a titanium-black headliner, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights for clearer vision at night.
Though the R-Line may seem like a pricey upgrade, it is actually a great deal when you consider how many high-end features it actually includes. It is a great alternative to small and sporty SUVs from Mercedes and BMW.
Choose your Volkswagen Tiguan »
