2018 Volkswagen Tiguan

The base 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan S makes for a great option with three-row seating, 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, and much more. The Volkswagen SE and the SEL Premium add some more features but the 2018 Volkswagen SE has enough to meet all the needs. 

The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan is offered in 4 trim configurations, namely S, SE, SEL, and SEL Premium, alongside the R Line package available with the SEL and SEL Premium trims. The prices range from an MSRP of $25,590 for the S trim, whereas the top-most SEL Premium trim will set you back by $38,545. Available in AWD and a standard turbocharged engine across the lineup, the feature list is the only thing that changes across the lineup.

Many of the latest safety features included in the Tiguan are now available from the base up. The S Driver assistance package which includes the forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitor for an additional $850. These driver aids are standard from SE trim onwards and the SE trim also gets a $1,200 panoramic sunroof as an option. All FWD models get third row seat as standard while the AWD variants get it for another $500. 

Most of the premium creature comforts like the VW Digital Cockpit, surround-view camera, hands-free liftgate, adaptive LED headlights, and leather upholstery are all limited to the top-end SEL Premium trim only. The R Line package costs $1,795 for the SEL trim and adds sportier exterior styling elements, front & rear parking sensors, and 19-inch wheels. The SEL Premium model gets the package for $1,495 and gets the same exterior styling with 20-inch alloy wheels. 

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 - Kelley Blue Book

The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan has a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine running point on its power front. This 2.0L engine is all set to put down 184 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. This places it right in the top half of the compact crossover segment. The engine is adequately powered to pull through long straight backs across freeways, and also through jam-packed city streets. The transmission is efficient enough to put down the power when required, enough to add convenience to an already lenient driving experience.

The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan comes with a 4Motion AWD system, which even without the help of a Traction Select system, is able to take the Tiguan through the uncharted path. The steering is adequately responsive and is a boon in jam-packed city streets. The adaptive and pliant suspension setup allows the riding dynamics of the Tiguan to be as calm and collected on the road, as of the road. As a well-mannered practical car, the heft of the SUV is surely felt around corners, as enough body roll is evident. 

The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan does the 0-60 MPH sprint in just about 8.5 seconds, all the while covering the quarter-mile sprint in 16.2 seconds. These numbers are quite impressive and put the Tiguan right at the top of the performance table. The towing capacity is rated for 1,500 lbs while the top speed is limited to 125 MPH. The 2018 VW Tiguan with 13.4-inch front brake rotors and 11.8-inch rear brake rotors, allows the SUV to come to a dead stop from 60 MPH in just about 134 ft.

Compared to the 2017 Tiguan, the 2018 MY has had a bump of 16 horses and a decrease of 14 lb-ft of torque. The lack of power is quite evident while you push down on the throttle. Coming to the competition at hand, the Tiguan has the most torque on offer followed closely by the Equinox with 203 lb-ft. It can be seen that the Mazda CX-5 has a power advantage over its rivals, and that is well reciprocated in the acceleration times.

The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan is rated at 22 MPG in the city and 27 miles to the gallon out on the highway. This is with the 2.0L turbocharged engine sending power only to the front wheels of the SUV. When backed by the 4Motion AWD system, the 2018 Tiguan gets an EPA rating of 21 MPG in the city and 27 miles to the gallon out on the highway. The 15.3-gallon fuel tank struggles in the range department as well and offers a maximum range of about 413 miles on the highway. 

The Tiguan also has the Auto Start/ Stop function that further helps in aiding the fuel-efficiency front. The 2018 Tiguan might not be the best in terms of fuel efficiency, but it more than makes up for it in terms of the powertrain front.

The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan uses quality materials throughout the cabin, which is well-insulated from outside noise - Cars.usnews.com

The 2018 VW Tiguan gets a major overhaul both on the exterior and interior front after a decade or so. With the latest MQB architecture, the Tiguan is only available in a long-wheelbase version in the US, which means more cabin room with the third row, for about the same price. Able to seat 7 adults in the utmost comfort, with the increase in wheelbase dimensions, the 2018 Tiguan has plenty of space in the second row, but the third is the best fit for young kids. The Tiguan does earn good points for the space it offers.

Also, the seats in the SUV are well-bolstered for adequate comforts in long weekend-ride situations. Draped in cloth upholstery in the base trims, the top-most trims are draped in premium leather with 3 upholstery color options. Trunk space with all seats in use is limited to 12 cu-ft, but folding down the third row opens up 33 cu-ft of space. Without the third row, there's 37.6 cu-ft of luggage space while the maximum cargo space measures at around 65.7 cu-ft with the third row and 73.5 cu-ft without them. 

The interior storage spaces also include different loads of cubby holes spread across the cabin room. The rest of the segment has only two rows, and amongst them, when it comes to practicality, the Honda CR-V is the ultimate SUV on offer. It also offers the largest trunk in this comparison while both the CX-5 and Equinox offer similar cargo and passenger space. While the VW infotainment system is pretty loaded with crisp graphics, it isn't the most intuitive in the segment. 

Standard across the trim range is a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is pretty decent to use. Apart from that Volkswagen also offers an optional 8-inch touchscreen system, which is all the more intuitive and also has clear graphics too. The buttons make it all the easier to navigate through options. Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are offered with the 2018 Tiguan. For all the audiophiles out there, VW has you covered with the premium 9-speaker Fender sound system. 

Some of the interior features include:

• Leatherette and leather upholstery

• 8-way Power-adjustable driver seat

• Heated front seats & steering wheel

• 40/20/40-split folding rear seat

• Dual USB ports

• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

• 8-inch touchscreen with Navigation

• HD Radio & Voice Recognition

• 9-speaker Fender sound system

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 Car Connection

As it is based on the new MQB architecture, the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan is now longer following its growth spurt this year. The Tiguan grows 7.3-inches longer in terms of wheelbase and 10.6-inches in terms of overall length. The third-row seat also adds in an odd 300 lbs or so to the whole heft. There are 8 different paint color options available for the buyers to choose from and the R Line package does add character to the SUV. 

The 2018 Tiguan sports a fresh look, with sharp and precise character lines flowing across the side profile. The athletic front end has a chiseled outlook to it with the horizontal grille and the sharper and symmetric headlights clouding up the corners. The base trims can be had with 17-inch wheels, whereas the top SEL and SEL Premium trims can have 19-inch wheels, which in turn provide a more upscale look.

The extended wheelbase makes the Tiguan the longest and heaviest of the segment. The CX-5 looks the most striking of them all but is also the most compact in nature, helping it offer great handling. The Equinox has a low ride height and weighs the least while the CR-V offers the best ground clearance which adds to the practicality. Some of the Exterior Features on offer are-

• Automatic headlight with coming/leaving the home feature
• LED taillights
• LED daytime running lights
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers

As we have mentioned earlier, Volkswagen now offers a number of advanced safety tech with the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. The federal agency NHTSA gave it a full 5 on 5 stars for its crashworthiness, whereas the IIHS also rated it with a "Good" rating throughout all sections. 

Volkswagen has the Tiguan covered on the reliability front too with an exhaustive 6-year/72,000 miles warranty. That said, the driver aids are optional on the base trim and needs shelling out additional money. Some of them are also reserved just for the top two trims. 

Some of the most eminent standard safety features offered with the 2018 Tiguan are-

• Forward collision warning
• Blind-spot monitoring system
• Electronic Stability Control
• Anti-Slip Regulation
• Electronic Differential Lock
• Adaptive cruise control
• Rear Traffic alert
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System

2018 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2018 Chevrolet Equinox

The Equinox is more affordable than the Tiguan and yet offers similar acceleration and towing performance. It is also good in offering comfort and is decent in terms of handling as well. The Chevy is also more frugal and has plenty of interior passenger and cargo space to offer, though the Tiguan is more practical as a 5-seater SUV. 

The Equinox does not really stand out in terms of its aesthetic appeal and has a lower stance, while the VW offers a much longer warranty package. That said, the impressive reliability ratings and feature-loaded cabin make the 2018 Equinox the winner here. 

2018 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2018 Honda CR V

The 2018 VW Tiguan is one of the most expensive offerings in this segment. Nevertheless, when it comes to sheer value, the Tiguan certainly aces on this front. Both these stalwarts are the best at what they do, wherein the Tiguan aces on the performance front, the Honda CR-V aces on the fuel efficiency front.

On the looks department too, both these SUVs have their own fan following, but the Tiguan edges a bit further because it has been redesigned fully for this year.

2018 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2018 Mazda CX-5

Mazda CX-5 is one of the more affordable SUVs out in this segment, and rightfully so, it is an amalgamation of both sheer performance and good looks. Preferably the most adored SUV of all, in terms of looks, the CX-5 has only that one trump card, as it loses out on the rest.

The most powerful car in the lot arguably is the slowest in the segment. Coming to the interior front, the Tiguan has a more plush yet practical cabin space.

The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan has certainly been the talk of the town since the whole overhaul that it has been put through his year. Plush cabin, with three rows of seating, a potent powertrain, and a multitude of the latest feature offerings make the 2018 Tiguan the most awaited compact crossover this year. A practical option that gives the rest of the rivals a run for their money, the 2018 Tiguan is certainly a smart buy.