2019 Volkswagen Tiguan

For an additional sum of $3,300 the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan SE 4Motion this trim gets extra safety aids and other interior creature comforts adds value to its buyers with the added practicality of the AWD drivetrain. Buyers can also opt for the optional remote engine start function for just another $450. 

The 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan comes in 7 trim configurations that include the 3 R-Line packages available on the top-end SEL and SEL Premium trims. All trims are offered with one engine option, a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder unit with either an FWD or AWD drivetrain option. Prices for the 2019 Tiguan range between $25,290 for the base Tiguan S trim and $38,890 for the top-of-the-line SEL Premium R-Line trim with standard AWD.

Volkswagen offers plenty of features as standard but the driver aids remain optional for an additional sum of $450, which are standard for the SE trim onwards. The SE trim on the other hand gets a panoramic sunroof and remote engine start as options for $1,200 and $450 respectively, both of which are available on the SEL trim onwards. The SEL range of models get a HomeLink auto-dimming rear-view mirror for $325 as an option. 

Both the SEL R Line and SEL R Line Black trims add sportier styling elements with the R Line Black model getting black accents. The premium features like Volkswagen's digital gauge cluster, surround-view camera system, leather upholstery, and a premium 9-speaker Fender audio system are only available for the SEL Premium model only. Third row of seats are available as standard for all FWD models and will set you back by another $595 for other variants. 

The 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan is powered by a 184-hp turbocharged, 2-liter 4-cylinder engine which is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. It offers an all-wheel-drive drivetrain right from the base model for an added cost while the FWD drivetrain is standard. The engine feels smooth and refined but doesn't feel fast. Acceleration is brisk with evident turbo lag and shifting gears takes its own time. 

Volkswagen Tiguan comes with a light steering setup which offers average feedback. It offers crisp handling on the road. Being a heavy SUV, it has a restrained body roll. Driving dynamics are very well sorted giving a safe and stable feel. The 4Motion AWD technology provides a good grip on the road and extra capability in adverse weather conditions, but it is best suited for the tarmac and not in the wilderness. 

It takes 9.1 seconds to achieve 0-60 MPH in a straight line while the time taken to cover the quarter-mile is 16.9 seconds. The maximum towing capacity is limited to 1,500 lbs while the top speed is limited to 125 MPH. The large 13.4-inch front and 11.8-inch rear brakes setup do well in emergency situations and daily driving alike. The stopping distance of 134 feet in the 60-0 MPH braking test is decent for a crossover this size. 

In comparison, while the Toyota RAV4 is the most expensive of the lot, it is also the most capable one. It is quick off the mark, can take on the roads less traveled, and has a decent maximum towing capacity as well. That said, the Forester can tow a maximum of 3,600 lbs with the towing package while the CR-V offers the most supple and comfortable ride. The Tiguan on the contrary lacks grunt but has refined driving dynamics to offer. 

The 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan has a combined fuel efficiency of around 25 MPG which is lower than the competitors. Opting for the 4Motion AWD drivetrain brings down the gas mileage further to 21 MPG in the city, 29 MPG on the highways, and 24 MPG combined. The large 15.9-gallon fuel tank capacity does well to offer a decent maximum range of 444 miles on the highways. 

The Toyota RAV4 is the most impressive of the lot with class-leading fuel efficiency ratings. The Forester on the other hand employs the largest gas tank here and hence offers the longest driving range and requires less frequent gas station visits. The CR-V too is pretty efficient but the smaller tank capacity brings its range on par with the Tiguan. 

A clean and simple design philosophy is followed in the interior designs of the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. But the introduction of some colors to the interior livens up the sense of space and VW offers 3 interior color options with the Tiguan. The material used is premium and the panels are very well put together. Rear seat passengers get their own ventilation vents, the plastics are soft to touch on the dashboard and the controls are easy to use and within reach of the driver. 

The seats are supportive and offer good comfort for all occupants. Leather seats are reserved for top trim only. Last row seats are best used by kids, as they are low on space, but the front two rows are pretty spacious for average American adults. The visibility is good on all sides and there are plenty of storage pockets and cup holders around the cabin. The third row eats up some cargo space as the 12 cu-ft of trunk space opens up to 33 cu-ft instead of 37.6 cu-ft with the third row folded. Maximum cargo capacity is also down from 73.5 cu-ft to 65.7 cu-ft when opting for the third row of seats. 

Volkswagen Tiguan is the only SUV here that offers 7 seats, but it is the Honda CR-V that is the most spacious of all. It also offers the largest trunk with the RAV4 falling marginally behind. The Forester has the most spacious front and rear-seat legroom to offer but it loses out a bit in terms of luggage capacity. While the VW Tiguan has a feature-loaded cabin, the instrument cluster is a bit complicated and needs time to get used to it. 

The 2019 Tiguan comes with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display in the base variant while the SE and above trims come with an 8.0-inch infotainment display which has a rather good resolution. The user interface is also smooth and the touchscreen feels responsive. Bluetooth and smartphone connectivity are offered as standard features while Navigation and connected car tech are also available on higher trims. There are several charging points in the front as well as rear. 

• Power driver seat & 40/20/40 second-row split-folding seats
• Heated Front seats & Keyless entry w/driver seat memory
• Leather wrapped steering and seats
• Auto-dimming IRVM and heated ORVMs with memory function
• Digital Driver’s display
• 6.5-inch/8.0-inch touchscreens with navigation and satellite radio
• 6 speaker standard / 9 speaker Fender’s audio system on higher trim
• Voice command activated functions

The 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan looks like a typical European SUV with purposeful with reserved styling. LED headlights are reserved for the top trim only but they lend this car a fresh look. It is longer than most of its rivals. And is solidly put together. Volkswagen Tiguan has the longest wheelbase which helps it offer 7 seats with some space left for the cargo. There are 10 different paint color options available for buyers to choose from.  

It comes with optional 20-inch wheels which provide a good-looking stance but the base model gets a set of 17-inch wheels. The SE trim features 18-inch alloys while the SEL Premium and the R Line models get unique 19-inch wheels for each model. The ground clearance is more than enough at 7.9 inch and features like panoramic sunroof, hands-free power tailgate, adaptive headlights, and automatic headlights & wipers all add to the practicality of the SUV. 

While the Tiguan 2019 is longer than the other three, the Honda and Toyota both are wider than Tiguan. Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4, both, offer the best while Honda CR-V offers the least ground clearance. When it comes to the curb weight, Volkswagen Tiguan is the heaviest in this comparison while Honda CR-V is the lightest. The tall stance and high ride height of the RAV4 make it easy for the Toyota to tackle curbs and rough terrain. 

The 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan received the highest safety rating(Good) in IIHS. For 2019, Volkswagen Tiguan is underpinned by Volkswagen group’s famous MQB platform. It performs brilliantly under collisions and has integrated several electronic functions to mitigate collisions. 

The base model comes with minimal advanced safety features but higher trims include upgraded sensors and camera systems. The 2019 Tiguan is a very stable car to drive around the city as well as on the highway. The body roll is well contained and straight-line manners are good.

• Blind-spot monitoring system w/Rear cross-traffic alert
• Forward collision warning w/Automatic emergency braking
• Adaptive cruise control  
• Lane Assist Feature
• Adaptive LED headlights w/automatic High beam Assist
• Front and rear parking sensors
• 360-degree surround-view camera

2019 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2019 Honda CR-V

The 2019 Honda CR-V is a very well-rounded car. It offers a strong turbocharged engine which has better efficiency than the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. CR-V manages to provide more interior space as well. Honda CR-V has a very good value for the money. Volkswagen Tiguan lacks behind in terms of fuel efficiency and mediocre transmission performance. If 7 seats are the requirement, the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan is the obvious choice, otherwise, Honda CR-V is just ahead in terms of value for money. 

2019 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2019 Toyota RAV4

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 fares better than the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan in terms of outright fuel efficiency. It has less curb weight as well. The space on offer is similar in both the SUVs. Volkswagen Tiguan offers 2 extra seats which RAV4 doesn't offer. In terms of performance, RAV4 has better handling and incredible reliability. But the Tiguan offers more features than the RAV4. If comfort and space are the requirements, Volkswagen Tiguan offers both space and flexibility while providing less fuel efficiency. 

2019 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2019 Subaru Forester

Subaru Forester provides a good mix of interior space, safety features, and reliability. It has better cargo space than the Volkswagen Tiguan. But unlike the Forester, Volkswagen Tiguan offers a turbocharged engine that has a better power figure and better acceleration. If efficiency is not a priority, Volkswagen Tiguan offers a better package with good styling and a strong engine. 

The 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan is bigger than previous models, providing space for cargo and extra seats in the last row. Extra seats make it stand out from the likes of CR-V and RAV4. It offers decent engine performance but the fuel efficiency is on the lower side. Features in the higher trim get expensive. Design-wise it has not changed much from previous models and if practicality and interior space is your top preference, the Tiguan 2019 should definitely be on your list.