Volkswagen Tiguan 2025 review
After nearly a decade of service, the second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan has made way for a third-gen replacement. While performance has remained a focus, the newcomer features a cabin design that pragmatists will love and a tech overhaul that thoroughly modernises the new-generation family SUV. On top of that, a broader range rejig sees even the base model become more attractive – although the meatiest part is still very much in the middle.
How much does the Volkswagen Tiguan cost?
Prices open at $44,990 for the entry-level Tiguan 110TSI Life, moving up to $50,690 for the up-spec Tiguan 110TSI Elegance, $55,990 for the sportier Tiguan 150TSI R-Line, $60,690 for the Tiguan 150TSI Elegance, and $70,490 for the current range-topper, the powerful Tiguan 195TSI R-Line. All prices exclude on-road costs.
So, the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan ain’t the cheapest in the segment, but the value quotient is still high. Even the base 110TSI Life gets equipment that’s normally reserved for high-grade variants in its competitors, like a powered tailgate, tri-zone climate control, keyless entry and ignition, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, dual wireless phone charging pads, and a 360-degree parking camera.
Moving up to the 150TSI Elegance grade replaces the 12.9-inch infotainment screen of the Life and 110TSI Elegance with a mammoth 15-inch unit, and also brings a head-up display, 700W Harman Kardon sound system, and adaptive suspension.
The 150TSI R-Line is mostly focused on performance, with adaptive suspension, variable-rate progressive steering, and the aforementioned sports seats to impart some athletic zing.
The range-topping 195TSI R-Line, meanwhile, builds on that with the addition of matrix beam headlights that use 19,000 individually controllable LED beams, 20-inch alloys, and the most potent powertrain in the lineup.
Standard safety features on all 2025 Volkswagen Tiguans include a full suite of nine airbags (including a centre bag between the front occupants and side airbags for the rear occupants, both of which aren’t common in the segment yet). New on the list of range-wide active safety gear is front cross-traffic assist (along with rear cross-traffic alert with side assist), exit warning, park assist plus, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree parking camera view.
From launch, the third-generation 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan range is powered by three engines – a 110kW/250Nm 1.4-litre turbo-petrol inline four, a 150kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol inline four, and a 195kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol inline four. The 110TSIs are front-wheel drive, the 150TSI and 195TSI are all-wheel drive, and all are equipped with a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
What’s good about the Volkswagen Tiguan?
Dynamics have always been a strong suit of the Tiguan. Our experience of the new 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan range shows that reputation very much continues.
Even the base 110TSI is a peach. While 110kW and 250Nm are modest outputs, its turbocharged nature endows it with a much fatter torque band than 2.5-litre naturally aspirated rivals, giving it great mid-range tractability and a generally relaxed nature in regular traffic.
It gets even better when you step up into the 150TSI. Though there’s a 150kg weight penalty associated with the 150’s all-wheel-drive driveline, the flipside of that is exceptional loose-surface traction and the ability to easily deploy the 2.0-litre engine’s 320Nm of torque when needed.
Ride and handling are also great, with a nicely judged ride that feels neither firm nor floppy in the 110TSI variants, but moving up into the 150TSI or 195TSI brings adaptive DCC Pro dampers, unlocking even better body control. In the powerful 195TSI, that suspension – which can independently vary both compression and rebound damping – makes the Tiguan feel more like a sprightly hot hatch than a 1.75-tonne SUV.
No matter the variant, though, all Tiguans are blessed with a practical, well-thought-out and attractive interior. Clever space utilisation of the centre console sees the dual-phone wireless charger live under a hinged lid, stowing phones from view while also providing a perch for wallets and keys.
The reconfigurable centre-console box also has a removable cupholder insert that can be turfed to create a massive cubby for things like handbags, tablet computers, and tissue boxes, while also having a padded lid to keep your stuff hidden.
Comfort levels are also superb, with great seat sculpting, a surprisingly effective pneumatic massage system in Elegance and R-Line cars, big windows that let in plenty of light, and a sliding and recline-adjustable rear bench seat.
Back-seaters also get a combination drink/phone holder integrated into the centre armrest, while the front seatbacks have handy phone pockets sewn in. Boot space? A very useful 652 litres with the seats up, or 1650L with them folded down.
What’s not so good about the Volkswagen Tiguan?
In terms of on-road behaviour there’s very little to complain about – probably the most noticeable negative traits are occasional twin-clutch snatchiness in stop-start conditions and torque steer when accelerating with the steering wheel turned in the 110TSI (a problem the AWD 150TSI and 195TSI don’t have).
The greater issue concerns cost. While the value-for-money quotient is healthy, the starting price is still well north of the $40K barrier, while almost all of the mainstream segment is well below it. VW would argue that none have the same dynamic nous as the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan and, to a large extent, that would be true.
Until Mazda brings its sub $50K CX-60 to market, the Tiguan is going to have a monopoly on the keen-drivers-who-need-to-buy-an-SUV demographic, but sales figures suggest that that’s not where the bulk of the market is at.
Then there’s the other foundational problem with the Tiguan which, again, has nothing to do with the nuts and bolts of the car itself: where’s the hybrid?
Curiously for a car launched in 2025, there are no hybrids anywhere within the new Volkswagen Tiguan range… although the company says a business case is still being worked out for a plug-in hybrid variant.
Until then, the Tiguan range will be an all-petrol one, with the 110TSI and 150TSI burning a claimed 7.6L/100km on the combined cycle and the 195TSI consuming an average of 8.5L/100km. With several rival brands already well and truly hybridised, will this harm the Tiguan’s appeal in Australia?
Should I buy a Volkswagen Tiguan?
The price of entry is higher than the segment norm but, just like the previous two generations, the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan presents itself as a more refined, better-finished, and sharper-driving offering than the bulk of medium SUVs.
The 150TSI R-Line and Elegance are particularly compelling, with a strong powertrain backed up by elevated equipment levels and adaptive dampers. They might be well north of the $50K barrier, but they very much validate the “you get what you pay for” mantra.
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan at a glance:
Price: $44,990 to $70,490 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol, 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 110kW/250Nm, 150kW/320Nm, 195kW/400Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 7.6L/100km (110TSI and 150TSI), 8.5L/100km (195TSI)
CO2: 173g/km (110TSI and 150TSI), 194g/km (195TSI)
Safety rating: Not tested
Related: Volkswagen Tiguan PHEV unlikely to take on new RAV4 PHEV
Related: Volkswagen confirms Aussie Tiguan and Tayron PHEV investigation
Related: New 2025 VW Tiguan arrives from $45K
Related: 2025 VW Tiguan range detailed
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Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au
Tags
- There’s actually some driving joy to be found in the Tiguan, especially in the AWD models
- Intelligent use of space inside the cabin makes the interior a very pleasant place to be
- Specification levels are very healthy, particularly in the mid and high grades
- Want a hybrid? Although a Tiguan PHEV exists overseas, it has yet to be secured for our market
- Price may be an insurmountable barrier for those whose budgets max out under the 110TSI’s $45K start
- The only paint colour to not attract a premium paint charge is solid white
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