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2023 Volkswagen Tiguan

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Make
Volkswagen
Model
Tiguan
Year
2023
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CarsDirect Target Price
$28,245
Expert Rating
3

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2023 2.0T S 4dr Front-Wheel Drive
most popular
Price:   -  From $28,245
2023 2.0T S 4dr All-Wheel Drive 4MOTION Price:   -  From $29,745
2023 2.0T SE 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $31,875
2023 2.0T SE 4dr All-Wheel Drive 4MOTION Price:   -  From $33,375
2023 2.0T SE R-Line Black 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $34,605
2023 2.0T SE R-Line Black 4dr All-Wheel Drive 4MOTION Price:   -  From $36,105
2023 2.0T SEL R-Line 4dr All-Wheel Drive 4MOTION Price:   -  From $38,975

Overview

What's New

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan receives a few cosmetic tweaks following last year's refresh. Introduced in 2017, the Tiguan has become Volkswagen's top seller worldwide.

Choosing Your Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2023 Tiguan continues in four trim levels: S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line. Pricing starts at $27,885 and climbs to $38,615 for the SEL R-Line.

Engine Choices

All Tiguan models are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine good for 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The S and SE trims start with front-wheel drive, and all-wheel is available for $1,500. The SEL R-Line comes exclusively with AWD. All models use an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Towing capacity for all models is 1,500 pounds.

Passenger and Cargo Capacity

Front-drive versions of the 2023 Tiguan can seat up to seven across three rows. Although the third row is designed for children, the Tiguan is one of the few compact crossovers to offer it. AWD models have a two-row interior with room for five.

Cargo space behind the third is row limited to 12 cubic feet, about the same as a small sedan. The Tiguan offers 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 73.5 cubic feet with it folded. Overall capacity is above average for this class.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Safety Features

Standard driver assistance technology includes automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The IQ.DRIVE Package for the S adds adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The package comes bundled with the S Convenience Package, which provides an auto-dimming rearview mirror, automatic wipers, and a leatherette-wrapped steering wheel. All of this costs $895 on the S and comes standard on the SE.

Moving up to the SE R-Line Black brings front and rear parking sensors. The SEL R-Line also gets automatic high beams, surround-view cameras, road sign recognition, and an automated parking system.

Connectivity

The infotainment system for the S includes a 6.5-inch touchscreen, six speakers, two USB ports, wi-fi capability, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The SE trims gain an eight-inch touchscreen, wireless device charging, and satellite and HD radio.

Navigation and a nine-speaker Fender sound system are exclusive to the SEL R-Line.

Volkswagen Tiguan

2023 Volkswagen Tiguan S — MSRP From $27,885

For buyers who don't mind manual climate control and manual cloth seats, the S may offer a satisfying level of equipment. Standard fare includes heated front seats, heated windshield washers, proximity key access, remote start, a digital gauge cluster, roof rails, full LED exterior lighting, and 17-inch alloy wheels. The aforementioned IQ.DRIVE Package and Convenience Package provide a good deal more for $895.

2023 Volkswagen Tiguan SE — MSRP From $

Compare Tiguan Trims Side-By-Side

CarsDirect Tip

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offers a commendable balance of price to features at each trim level. We think the SE does the best job pulling together what buyers want most in a compact crossover, including value.

author image
Automotive Editor
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Prices & Deals

Expert Review

Pros
  • SE trim offers value and comfort
  • Third-row seats are versatile
  • Smooth engine and transmission
  • Safety roster is generous
Cons
  • Drab inside and out
  • R-Line trim makes little sense
  • Not much fun to drive
  • Fuel economy is poor
Expert Rating
3

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Automotive Editor

Not the prettiest SUV. Volkswagen rarely makes beautiful cars, and the 2023 Tiguan is no exception. In some respects, it’s quite an unhappy-looking beast, with elongated rear side windows necessarily broken up with an unattractive divider strip, ahead of a BMW-aping quarterlight window. Your eyes slide off the boxy rear without really acknowledging it, while the dog-bone lower front grille is messy rather than stylish.

Step inside, and things are no better. There’s not much fun in the functional dashboard, and we have concerns about the practicality of VW’s touchscreen climate controls – they look good in a brochure, but they’re frustrating to use. The dash has none of the subtlety or character Volvo (among others) imparts through contrasting materials and colors, though everything is assembled well and logically arranged. On a (literally and metaphorically) brighter note, there’s good front, and side visibility.

Leading from the middle. There’s a standout model in the Tiguan range, and it’s the mid-range SE model. Priced at around $33,000 with the all-wheel drive that’s optional on all trim levels, it brings goodies like wireless smartphone mirroring, power adjustment for the driver’s seat, adaptive cruise control, synthetic leather, and larger 18-inch wheels. These don’t damage the ride, but they do improve road-holding slightly.

Even if your budget allows, we’d steer clear of the $39,000 SEL R-Line model that tops the Tiguan range. Not only is it quite expensive, but its 19-inch or 20-inch wheels also harm the ride without delivering any payoff – lifeless steering means you’d never throw this heavy SUV into a series of tight bends. The lack of paddle shifters or a manual transmission further reduces driver appeal, and the R-Line’s external bling detracts from its aesthetics rather than adding to them.

Volkswagen Tiguan

A smooth performer. The Tiguan is no driver’s car, then, but passengers will be perfectly happy being shuttled around in it. If you stick with front-wheel drive, you can fit a couple of kids into a pair of third-row seats, though your teenagers will hate you even more than usual if they’re dispatched back here. The second row is a far more pleasant place to be – the side windows give a panoramic outlook, and the seats are comfortable if firm. Middle-row passengers have almost 39 inches of legroom in AWD models, and they’re not missing out on much drama in the front where an eight-inch infotainment screen is fitted. A larger 10.3-inch screen replaces it on top trims.

On the move, the Tiguan is refined and smooth, with an eight-speed auto ‘box excelling everywhere apart from at standing starts. There’s not much road noise, the ride is good if you stay away from R-Line wheels, and the AWD cargo capacity of 38 cubic feet almost doubles once the second-row seats are dropped. Combined fuel economy across the range is in the mid-twenties, which is poor but hardly truck-like, and at least specifying all-wheel drive gives you good road-holding in any conditions.

Playing it safe. SUVs are bought with safety in mind, and the Tiguan has been given a Top Safety Pick+ rating by the IIHS. Even S models come with blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking, while SE trims and above receive adaptive cruise with active lane control; you can specify features like a surround-view camera from the options list. Additional peace of mind is provided by a four-year warranty that includes two years of free maintenance.

Final thoughts. In isolation, the Tiguan seems like a fine car. It’s bland inside and out, but that won’t bother buyers who are more interested in transporting their families in safety and comfort. Indeed, its lack of image and style will appeal to people who value dependability and discretion above all else. Mid-range SE models are well-equipped and refined on the road, the infotainment system is tried and trusted, and the sheer space afforded to second-row occupants in AWD models is remarkable.

The Tiguan proposition only starts to fall apart when you consider its rivals. This is a market saturated with high-caliber Japanese and Korean competitors, from the unburstable Subaru Forester to the seductive Mazda CX-5. Hyundai’s Tucson has styling that makes its VW rival seem like a product of the Noughties, and Hyundai’s opulent Calligraphy-edition Santa Fe has vastly more showroom appeal. The Tiguan is a good car with no major weaknesses, but it's a head-over-heart purchase in a market where many rivals successfully appeal to both.

Check prices for the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan »

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Available
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L I-4 / 184 HP / 221 ft.lbs.
Transmission
Tiptronic 8-spd Tiptronic w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
24 / 31 / 27 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
7
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L I-4 / 184 HP / 221 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
24 / 31 / 27 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
15.3 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$58
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
65.3 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
124 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
186.1 "
Exterior Width
72.4 "
Exterior Height
66.4 "
Front Headroom
39.6 "
Rear Headroom
39.1 "
Front Legroom
40.2 "
Rear Legroom
36.6 "
Front Shoulder Room
57.0 "
Rear Shoulder Room
55.9 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,737 Lbs.
Wheel Base
110 "
Turning Radius
18.8 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
17.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote Heated
Bumpers
Front Body-colored With Body-colored Insert
Grille Moldings
Chrome
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
7
Seat Trim
Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
6-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
6-way
Front Armrests
6-way
Rear Armrests
Center
Rear Seats
40-20-40 Split-bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm, Seek-scan
Speakers
6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Climatic
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Front And Rear
Tinted Windows
Deep
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
3
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front And Rear
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Fcw W/autonomous Emergency Braking Forward Collision Mitigation / Front Assist (forward Collision Warning And Autonomous Emergency Braking) Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Side Assist Blind Spot / Active Side Assist Blind Spot
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Assist (lane Keeping System) Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Travel Assist (semi-automated Driving Assistance) Hands-on Steering Assist
Pedestrian Detection
Pedestrian Monitoring Front Pedestrian Detection Prevention
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Major Components Months
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
24 Months / 20,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
84 Months / 100,000 Miles
Accessories Months

Find Your New Volkswagen Tiguan

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