The Tiguan is an accomplished, but unexciting crossover
2024 Volkswagen Tiguan review with The Road Beat
Words and pictures by Mitchell Weitzman
While there isn't a whole lot to be excited about with the Tiguan, a crossover that does nothing exceptionally well, it does at least accomplish nearly everything pretty well. Resultantly, the Tiguan earns consistent high marks from a multitude of reviewers because of its evenness across so many areas. This makes it appealing on multiple levels, but it also does mean there isn't a single attribute the Tiguan does the best among its varied peers. Still, this accomplished and modest people mover has legions of fans, so there must be a reason for it.
Let's talk GPA: would you rather have a student who gets half As and half Cs, or all B grades? This is the all-B machine embodied in car form. Ain't nothing wrong with a 3.0 GPA after all, but I do wish there was a metric that stood out more. Then again, I hated seeing the one C+ I accrued from Econ 10A at Santa Barbara. Anyways, besides being physically rounded, Tiguan is a constant scorer. The looks may be a bit tired now as it's the same shape and language I've seen on Volkswagens for the past decade or so, but then again Germans do typically like sticking to what works, and it's still a handsome shape. This particular example is an R-Line, which does add some subtle tweaks and pizzazz to it in efforts to look increasingly Audi-like, or in other words, more expensive. And it succeeds for the most part.
The interior has seen notable upticks in quality over the years, now hosting softer materials that give a tiny aura of luxury, but this is still a ways away from best-in-class, the Mazda CX-5 and CX-50 if you're wondering. Space is highly generous in all reaches of the cabin for occupants, though the rear seats are a little flat (particularly the bottoms) and not the most optimal items for longer journeys. VW has introduced several haptic-touch controls on models, and the Tiguan receives this unwelcome tapeworm as well, implementing sliding controls on the steering wheel that just make things worse - Hopefully those are eradicated in the future. Other annoyances are the extremely loud beeps and bongs that go off each time you've started the Tiguan without your seatbelt fastened, or when opening the driver's door even if the the transmission is in park (like one does when getting their mail). Other passengers can open their door when parked, but no warnings will sound, but the driver's door rings. So, if the beeps are a safety item, I guess Volkswagen doesn't care about your passengers? Yet, at least the center display is easy to use as are most of the other controls. When on the highway, the interior is also reasonably quiet. As befitting of the narrative so far, this is a convenient interior given the space, but one that won't ever warrant a "wow." On a postive, this does trounce the dour dungeon that RAV4 interiors are modeled after.
Performance is the usual for this class, with the weak two-liter turbocharged engine needing 8.5 seconds to reach 60 MPH from rest. There's also a lack of smooth throttle response from a stop, as too little throttle application simply won't move you, but too much can result in a jolt; For a company that made modern turbocharging mainstream over 20 years ago, I would expect better. At least this Tiguan doesn't hunt for gears like other VWs have recently done, where they upshift too early and then have to downshift immediately after to make forward progress, so it's an improvement there in shift logic. Gas mileage comes in at 25 MPG, which is fine. Other competitors achieve better, while others achieve less; just middling and disappointing for such a relatively slow vehicle. Average and mundane acceleration and fuel mileage also aren't likely helped by the 4,000 pounds of mass being hauled around at all times, which seems excessive.
On the road, the Tiguan is mostly indistinguishable from other crossovers, with a general lack of enthusiasm, instead prioritizing ease and comfort. Owing to its light steering, this is a very easy car to drive and for long periods of time at that, but despite being finger-tip light, the steering is never darty on the highway and remains calm and confident, and I rather like that aspect. However, this isn't a vehicle that lives for the twisting sections of tarmac, and while composure is generally there, and 4Motion all-wheel drive ensures decent traction at nearly all times and bandwidths, this just isn't a fun car to drive and hustle around. For that purpose, if you like a seasoning or two of vigor added, Mazda is again the target to beat with their exemplary CX-5 and CX-50 crossovers.
Even if there isn't anything truly standout or excellent about the Tiguan, the consistency of which it tackles a large portion of needs does elevate it to being an above average choice in the segment. A competitive price that undercuts the upper-tier Toyota RAV4s also helps make its case. For those seeking passion and actual driving fun and luxurious interiors should be steered to Mazda (as is the usual case in mainstream cars), but there are many that want a car that simply isn't Japanese, and Volkswagen being a German brand does make it more prestigious in the eyes of many the consumer. Despite not having a single attribute to lust after, I do like the Tiguan nonetheless, and judging by the sales success, so do millions of others.
2024 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line 4Motion
Price as-tested: $40,250
Pros: Spacious; Consistent
Cons: Weak engine; Fussy steering wheel controls
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