2018 Volkswagen Tiguan

Some of the Tiguan's strength includes a quiet and comfortable ride, plush interior, and a user-friendly infotainment system. Still, it has its share of flaws. Its engine feels sluggish at highway speed and also gets mediocre fuel economy. VW has priced the Tiguan at $24,595 (FWD) for the base which does not seems to help the cause as rivals like the Honda CR V offers a lot more at the same price.

There are four trims to choose from in the new 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan: S, SE, SEL and SEL Premium. All the trims are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Each Tiguan also offers three row of seating and front wheel drive; however, all-wheel drive can be added to any trim for an additional cost of $1,300. Meanwhile, the AWD models only come standard with two rows, but a third row can be added to these models for an additional cost of $500.

Trims	S	SE	SEL	SEL Premium
MSRP (2WD)	$24,595	$26,750	$31,090	$36,250
MSRP (4WD)	$25,895	$28,050	$32,390	$37,550
Features	The S includes: VW Car-Net App-Connect Composition Color touchscreen sound system LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL)	The SE includes: 8” touchscreen sound system Blind Spot Monitor V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces	The SEL includes: 8” touchscreen navigation system Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Remote start	The SEL Premium includes: LED headlights VW Digital Cockpit Leather seating surfaces

Confused? We will help you find the best trim

The base VW Tiguan S makes for a great option with three-row seating, optional all-wheel drive, rearview camera and roof rails for weekend adventurers. Still, if you can stretch your budget then consider going for the SE which is a smart buy. It gets all the features of S trim and adds keyless entry and ignition, leather upholstery, heated front seat along with a large touchscreen. The Volkswagen SE and the SEL Premium adds some more features but the 2018 Volkswagen SE has enough to meet all the needs.

"The Tiguan’s excellent steering and pedal response -- expected attributes of any VW -- contribute to an overall driving feel that’s among the best in the segment. Highway ride is firmer than that of some other small SUVs. While the Tiguan’s turbocharged engine generates impressive horsepower and torque, a base Tiguan is a whopping 450 pounds heavier than a base Honda CR-V. City scooting and highway cruising are barely impacted, but the added mass is evident in highway merging and passing situations."- Kelley Blue Book

Engine and Transmission

The 2018 VW Tiguan gets a sole turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 184 horsepower and 221-pound-feet of torque. It is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to both the front wheels or the optional all wheels which feels smooth but sometimes hesitates to shift quickly. The engine meanwhile has enough gusto to move the SUV effortlessly at city speed but it feels underpowered at highway speed.

Models	Volkswagen Tiguan	Chevrolet Equinox	Honda CR V	Mazda CX-5
MSRP	$24,595	$24,575	$24,150	$24,150
Engine	2.0L inline 4- cylinder, 16V, turbocharged, TSI	1.5-liter turbo Inline 4 engine	2.4L Inline 4 Gas engine	2.5L Inline 4 Gas engine
Transmission	8-Speed Automatic	6-speed automatic	CVT Automatic	6-speed Automatic
Power	184 hp	170 hp	184 hp	187 hp
Torque	221 lb-ft	203 lb-ft	180 lb-ft	185 lb-ft

Acceleration

The Tiguan 2018 with the sluggish turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine makes to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds. These numbers are unimpressive considering the similarly priced Honda CR V which is a second faster than the VW Tiguan.  The CR V is not just better than the Tiguan but it beats every other competitor in the segment and is one of the highest-ranking compact SUV in its class.

Models	Volkswagen Tiguan	Chevrolet Equinox	Honda CR V	Mazda CX-5
0-60 MPH	8.5 sec	8.5 sec	7.5 sec	8.3 sec
Quarter mile	16.2 sec @ 80 mph	16.9 sec @ 91.2 mph	15.8 sec @ 89 mph	16.3 sec @ 83.8 mph
Engine	2.0L	1.5L	2.4L	2.5L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	7.4	6.3	6.3	6.5

Braking and Handling

The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan comes standard with front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive which fares better in wet road condition and on uneven pavements. Volkswagen has completely redesigned the Tiguan for 2018 while prioritizing comfort over sportiness. As a result, it delivers a smooth and cushioned ride but there is plenty of body roll around corners and the steering feels aloof at times.

Model	Volkswagen Tiguan	Chevrolet Equinox	Honda CR V	Mazda CX-5
Brake(in)	13.4	11.8	11.1	11.7
Brake (in)	11.8	11.3	10.2	11.9
Curb weight(lbs)	3777	3274	3307	3563
60-0 MPH (ft.)	134	119	129	135

The all-wheel drive on the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan makes for 7.9 inches of ground clearance which is ample height to handle some off-roading trails. The AWD variants also get hill descent control and customizable off-road mode. Brakes meanwhile are not the strongest in the segment as the Tiguan stops from 60 to 0 in 134 feet. The 2018 Chevy Equinox boasts strongest brakes in the segment while the 2018 Acura RDX has the worst braking capacity.

The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan is the least fuel-efficient SUV in its class. It manages 22 mpg city, 27 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined with the front wheel drive. While, the all-wheel-drive versions are rated at 21/27/23 mpg. The Chevrolet Equinox and Honda CR V manage much better mileage as they both check in at 28 mpg combined.

Model	Volkswagen Tiguan	Chevrolet Equinox	Honda CR V	Mazda CX-5
MPG (city)	22	26	26	24
MPG (highway)	27	32	32	31
MPG (combined)	24	28	28	27

"The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan uses quality materials throughout the cabin, which is well-insulated from outside noise. Though well-built, this Volkswagen trails some class rivals when it comes to interior styling, according to some critics. There are plenty of standard and available tech features, many of which are intuitive. The 3-row Tiguan has above-average cargo space, and the 2-row Tiguan has more cargo room than nearly every other compact SUV." Cars.usnews.com

Interior Seating and Comfort

The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan offers a wide range of adjustments in the driver’s seat while the front passenger seat height also can be adjusted. Seats offer a good amount of cushioning and remain supportive on an hourlong drive.

The Tiguan seats seven people in the three-row model and five in two-row models. There is ample legroom in the first and the second row to accommodate even the tallest of the passenger but the third row is too tight for adults and is only good enough to accommodate kids. In fact, the third row is smaller than every other three-row SUVs. Seating feature includes:

• Cloth upholstery
• Leatherette and leather upholstery (Optional)
• Power adjustable driver seat (Optional)
• Heated front seats (Optional)
• Heated steering wheel (Optional)

Model	Volkswagen Tiguan	Chevrolet Equinox	Honda CR V	Mazda CX-5
Passenger capacity	7	5	5	5
Passenger Volume(ft cube)	123.9	103.2	105.9	103.6
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg (In.)	39.6/57.0/40.2	40/57.2/40.9	40.1/57.9/41.3	39.7/57.1/41
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg (In.)	39.1/55.9/36.5	38.5/55.5/39.7	39.2/55.6/40.6	39/54.8/39.6
Third (Head/Shoulder/Leg (In.)	33.8/47.8/27.9	N/A	N/A	N/A

Infotainment

The optional 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system is easy to use and have clear graphics. The screen feels intuitive and easy to navigate. There are also physical buttons available on the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan which are within reach and helps minimize the use of touchscreen. One of the major highlights of the VW Tiguan is the Digital Cockpit which replaces traditional gauge cluster with a 12.3-inch screen that shows a variety of easily understandable vehicle data.

Cargo Space

2018 Tiguan’s cargo capacity depends upon whether it is a two row or three rows. The three-row Tiguan has average cargo space for a compact SUV while the two row has more cargo space than most but the Honda CR V. The CR V offers best in class cargo space with 76.0 cubic feet behind the second row.

The Tiguan meanwhile offers 12.0 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 33.0 cubic feet with the third row folded and a maximum of 67.7 cubic feet. The two-row VW Tiguan checks in at 37.6 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 73.5 cubic feet with them folded.

Model	Volkswagen Tiguan	Chevrolet Equinox	Honda CR V	Mazda CX-5
Behind 3nd Row(ft.cube)	12.0	N/A	N/A	N/A
With 3nd  row folded (ft.cube)	33.0	29.9	39.0	34.1
With All  Seats folded (ft.cube)	65.7	63.5	76.0	64.8

The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan steps out with a new shape and a new size that won’t be instantly recognizable to past Volkswagen crossover owners. The new Tiguan eschews the former model’s rounded approach for sharper, chiseled edges and a more intimidating nose. It’s a contemporary look, albeit not very daring. The Car Connection

 Dimension and Weight

The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan is the longest compact SUV in the segment and the sharp creases add a taut and fresh look. Tiguan’s front profile copy/pastes the horizontal grille, bumpers and lower fascia from the Atlas. While the complex LED taillights gives the Tiguan’s rear semi-premium feel. The SEL and SEL Premium provides a richer look with LED headlight and LED daytime running lights, while the R line package gives a sportier look with larger wheels.

Model	Volkswagen Tiguan	Chevrolet Equinox	Honda CR V	Mazda CX-5
curb weight(lbs)	3777	3274	3307	3563
Length(in)	185.1	183.1	180.6	179.1
Width(in)	72.4	72.6	73.0	72.5
Height(in)	66.3	65.4	66.1	65.3
Ground clearance(in)	7.9	6.9	8.2	7.6
Wheel base(in)	109.8	107.3	104.7	106.3
Track width(in) F/R	62.2/61.8	62.2/62.2	63.0/63.7	62.8/6.2

Exterior Feature

• Automatic headlight with coming/leaving home feature
• LED taillights
• LED daytime running lights
• 17 inch alloy wheels

 

The federal agency has yet not crash tested the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan but the IIHS has rated it as a “Top Safety Pick”. According to IIHS the SUV has earned a “Good” rating in each crash test but it gets a “marginal” score for its subpar headlights.

In terms of reliability, VW has covered the Tiguan with a six-year/ 72,000-mile limited warranty.

IIHS Rating

Crashworthiness
Small overlap front driver side	Good
Small overlap front passenger side	Good
Moderate overlap front	Good
Side	Good
Roof strength	Good
Head restraints & seats	Good

 

Crash avoidance and mitigation
Frontal crash prevention	Superior
Headlights	Marginal
LATCH	Acceptable

Safety features

All the Tiguan’s model gets a rearview camera as standard along with VW’s post-collision braking system that holds the brakes after impact. VW has also made available forward collision warning with the automatic emergency braking system on all models. Blind spot monitors are also available for every trim while a surround view camera system and active lane control are available for top trims.

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR)
• Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) 
• Engine Brake Assist (EBA)
• Driver and front passenger front and side airbag supplemental restraint systems
• Side Curtain Protection head airbags
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) child seat anchor points
• 3-point safety belts for all seating positions
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

 

Volkswagen Tiguan vs Honda CR V

There is no point denying the fact that the Honda CR V is one of the top-ranked compact SUV in the segment. It boasts a user-friendly infotainment system and best in class cargo capacity. The CR V also has a plush cabin that offers two rows of seating and has enough space to accommodate adults. It is also more fuel efficient than the VW Tiguan. The best thing about CR V is that you get all this at a fairly affordable price making it an obvious choice.

Volkswagen Tiguan vs Mazda CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 offers quick acceleration and a fuel-efficient engine. It also boasts one of the sharpest handling in the class. Mazda’s plush cabin and comfy two row of seating scores high as compared to rivals. Still, Mazda has some flaws, its infotainment system is not as intuitive as the Tiguan and also has less cargo space than the VW.

Volkswagen Tiguan vs Chevrolet Equinox

The Chevrolet Equinox has gone under the blade for the 2018 model year and equals the VW Tiguan when pitted against each other. Equinox, however, has better fuel economy and more leg room in the second row. The Tiguan, on the other hand, has more cargo space and it seats seven as compared to five in the Tiguan. Choosing between the two depends upon what feature you want in your car.

 

The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan is decent compact SUV for families. It comes with two or three rows of seating. The two-row Tiguan has more space inside and in cargo area while the three-row brings down the cargo space. It is a good buy but not a smart buy as most in the competition offer similar features at a much lower cost than the German automaker.