A few years after introducing the first-gen Touareg in 2002, Volkswagen decided its flagship crossover needed a smaller sibling. Thus, they set to work, and the first Tiguan was ready in 2007.
Building on the same platform as the era's Passat and Skoda Superb, the first-generation Volkswagen Tiguan was made in Germany, Russia, China, and Vietnam. The brand's homeland factory was responsible for assembling the North America variant, which was launched in 2008 as a 2009 model. The saga continued with a mid-cycle refresh in 2011 and the second generation that came out in 2016.
Tied to the SEAT Tarraco, Skoda Kodiaq, Audi Q3, and B8 VW Passat, it is currently the brand's best-selling model worldwide. The powertrain family comprises gasoline, diesel, and electrified units, which vary depending on the market. In the United States, where Volkswagen offers the long wheelbase version only, which adds the Allspace suffix, it packs a 184 hp (187 ps/137 kW) and 221 lb-ft (300 Nm) of torque 2.0-liter gasoline unit and standard 4Motion all-wheel drive, from $28,245, excluding destination.
Exterior Design
Volkswagen is currently putting the final touches on the third generation. The all-new Tiguan is due this fall in Europe, with the official unveiling scheduled for September and the order books opening in the first quarter of next year. We've seen numerous prototypes doing their thing in the open, and the company itself released images of camouflaged testers. One thing that immediately stands out is the softer design and the front lighting signature that was inspired by the brand's electric ID range. It will feature the optional IQ Light HD Matrix tech, and a light bar will link the main clusters together.
Photo: Volkswagen
Another design trait will be the minimalistic grille. Further down, it has a new bumper with a bigger air intake and discreet side air curtains. The new taillights are expected to be integrated into a single trim panel, and they might feature full-width LED lighting to go with the extra wide reflectors that will be retained. Volkswagen hasn't opted for flush-mounted door handles, and the front and rear overhangs are about the same size as before. However, the model is 1.3 in (32mm ) longer from bumper to bumper, measuring 179.2 in (4,551 mm). At 76.3 in (1,939 mm), the width is the same, and the height was increased by 0.2 in (5 mm) to 64.6 in (1,640 mm). Strangely enough, the wheelbase is identical to its predecessor, measuring 105.5 in (2,681 mm).
Cockpit and Tech Gear
Those sitting at the rear will have an extra 0.4 in (10 mm) of headroom. And speaking of space, it is worth noting that the cargo area is now 1.2 cu-ft (33 liters) bigger at 22.9 cu-ft (648 lt). Volkswagen also mentioned better quality materials inside and heating, ventilation, electric adjustment, and massaging functions for the front seats, which should give the new Tiguan a premium feel. Drivers will stay connected on the go due to the 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system that came from the ID.7, though it will be offered on upper specs solely, with integrated climate control. Lesser variants will sport the 12.9-inch display.
Photo: Volkswagen
Digital dials and a head-up display will be on deck. The center console is home to a rotary dial, a cubby at the front, and a pair of cupholders at the rear, and it no longer hosts the gearshift lever, which was moved to the steering column. Although new, the steering wheel is about the same size and shape as before and integrates the usual buttons on both sides of the airbag. We expect the entire cockpit to be bathed in ambient lighting, at least on more expensive trim levels.
Platform and Powertrains
Volkswagen has played it safe when it comes to the construction, as the new Tiguan builds on an upgraded version of the MQB Evo, shared with a whole bunch of other models made under the VW Group's roof. Therefore, it's safe to assume an all-electric variant is not in the pipeline. Electrified power will, however, be part of the offering, with plug-in hybrid assemblies mixing a 1.5-liter TSI gasoline engine and (one or more) electric motors. This version will launch in two outputs, with 201 hp (204 ps/150 kW) and 268 hp (272 ps/200 kW) combined, and the latter is expected with AWD.
Gasoline units will be part of the engine family, as well as mild hybrids. Europe will still get one or two turbodiesels, and it is likely the 2.0 TDI in different outputs. The gasoline lineup could comprise the 1.5 and 2.0 TSI units, and all of them will be offered with DSG automatic transmissions and no manual gearboxes. The 4Motion all-wheel drive system is expected to be limited to the upper grades.
US Market Availability
While the next-gen Tiguan is set to go on sale in the first quarter of 2024 on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, it has been reported that the Tiguan Allspace might not get a successor for North America. We might instead end up with the redesigned VW Tayron that's rumored to debut in two years in China as the indirect replacement of the Tiguan Allspace, believed to use the same underpinnings as Europe's 2024 Tiguan. Thus, we would not hold our breath for a possible introduction in the land of the free. However, we wouldn't rule it out entirely either until Volkswagen says so. That said, are you excited about the all-new Tiguan, and do you wish they sold it over here, or would you settle for the rumored Tayron instead? Let us know by speaking your mind in the comments area below.
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News