Volkswagen debuted the Tiguan, its popular sport utility vehicle, in 2007. Its derivation name combines the words tiger and iguana and the portmanteau somehow works.
The compact family vehicle is handsome, strong and agile and has endured for a long time in a crowded automotive jungle.
The 2024 Tiguan is available in four trim levels: S, SE, SE R-Line Black and SEL R-Line. All varieties are equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and propelled with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
MSRP pricing begins at $30,305 and extends to $40,305. Gas mileage averages are 24 miles per gallon in city driving, 31 mpg on the highway. All-wheel drive models average one mpg less.
Front-wheel drive and a third-row seating are standard with S, SE and SE R-Line Black trims. All-wheel drive is optional for these trims, but adding it eliminates the third row. The SEL R-Line includes standard all-wheel drive, hill descent control and two rows.
Good looks are the Tiguan’s signature. The exterior styling points are more elegant than might be associated with a compact SUV. The vehicle appears to be in shape without excess, a trait shared throughout much of the VW lineup, including the long-tenured Jetta and the Tiguan’s larger sibling, the Atlas.
The third-row SUV quandary is present in many mid-sized and inefficiently designed large SUVs. It’s rare in small people haulers, but the Tiguan offers third-row options in some trims.
Like in many other SUVs, the Tiguan’s third row provides the biggest cargo options. However, the occupants’ back seat space is limited at best. It’s good for little people or bags of groceries but not together and not for much else. Third-row optional seating is bigger in the Kia Sorento and Mitsubishi Outlander.
A similarly attractive interior design complements the straightforward exterior. Material quality is strong and positioned intuitively. The result is a sophistication characteristic prominent in higher-priced upscale SUVs — Audi to BMW to Lexus. It’s not expected in mid-range vehicles.
Beyond its appearance, the Tiguan offers a strong, turbo-charged drive, albeit not performance-oriented. Acceleration from 0-to-60 miles per hour is rated at 8.9 seconds, a segment standard effort. The turbocharged engine has a typical trait, a substantial lag.
The Tiguan maneuvers satisfactorily in tight city driving, in parking lots and without issue at highway speeds. With its comfortable and quiet interior, standard road deviations, road bumps to potholes, are negotiated smoothly.
Cargo space is an integral part of SUVs’ appeal, even in compact offerings. Tiguans equipped with three rows of seats have 12 cubic feet behind the last row, an average tally for compact three-row SUVs. With the third-row folded, space increases to 33 cubic feet. With both rows folded, the area expands to 65.3 cubic feet. The numbers expand in two-row Tiguans from 37.6 cubic feet to 73.4 cubic feet with all second-row seats down. The tally is similar in many Tiguan rivals, including the top-selling Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.
Volkswagen isn’t a vehicle technology leader, with the Tiguan an ideal example. The navigation system features an eight-inch touchscreen. It’s smaller than competitors’ ever-expanding, more detailed offerings. Navigation isn’t available. Smartphone integration through Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is standard, and front passengers get two USB-C ports. The SE R-Line test model includes wireless charging but only one USB-C port for second-row passengers and none for the third-row.
The Tiguan has an industry-average supply of safety features, including lane-keeping and lane departure assistance, automated emergency braking with forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature.
Comfort items include cupholders in a variety of sizes and there’s a handy tray on top of the dash for sunglasses and other necessities.
Soon approaching its 20th birthday, the VW Tiguan endures on its good looks, efficient driving and strong overall qualities. Still, there’s a lot of competition, some not as physically attractive but with superior attributes in other areas.
James Raia, a syndicated automotive columnist in Sacramento, also writes about sports, lifestyle and travel topics. Email: james@jamesraia.com.