2023 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan combines European sensibilities with available 3-row seating in a truly unique compact SUV. Prices start at $26,590.

All-wheel drive is also on the menu. But there isn’t a version of the Tiguan with seating for seven and four driven wheels. That third row is standard in front-wheel-drive (FWD) models, unavailable with all-wheel drive (AWD).

Permutations aside, the 2023 Tiguan is a pleasant runabout with family-friendly credentials. It was awarded the title of Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and there are several driver assistance features as standard.

The 2023 VW Tiguan SUV starts at $26,590, plus a destination charge, for an S version with front-wheel drive. If this is almost as much as the budget will allow, at least try to stretch it by another $895 to gain more driver assistance features with the IQ.Drive package. Where it’s optional, all-wheel drive is an extra $1,500.

At the top of the range, the SEL R-Line is $37,320. This model comes with virtually everything the 2023 Tiguan lineup has to offer (except for the third seating row) so there aren’t many options to push the price much higher.

In the compact SUV context, the 2023 Tiguan’s pricing is fairly reasonable. Both the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 start at about $28K, the Mazda CX-5 (with all-wheel drive as standard) is around $27K, while the Subaru Forester (another contender with all-wheel drive as standard), Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson are more in the $26K region. If it absolutely has to be a new 3-row compact SUV, there’s the Mitsubishi Outlander, also from about $26K.

Before buying a new Tiguan, check the KBB.com Fair Purchase Price to see how much others in your area paid for theirs. Volkswagen’s resale values are not as strong as those of Honda, Toyota, or Subaru.

Outward vision from this raised perch is good, and a workable driving position is easy to set. The whole experience is easy, in fact. There isn’t much effort required for steering or braking, comfort is baked into the suspension settings, and the engine delivers its best work at lower revs.

Which is another way of saying that the Tiguan is no more thrilling to drive than virtually any mainstream compact SUV that isn’t a Mazda. There’s little point in working the engine hard, because that just creates more noise than power. But even if the Tiguan isn’t particularly fun to drive, its European steering feel and cornering behavior make it more satisfying than many of its competitors.

A traditional shift lever is most welcome in an era when many manufacturers are migrating to buttons. And the standard driver assistance features include forward collision warning as well as blind-spot monitoring. Going for the SE trim or above adds adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance.

It’s an odd mix of standard equipment in the base S trim of the 2023 Tiguan SUV. For example, heated front seats are included, but the infotainment touchscreen is a relatively small 6.5 inches on the diagonal. The rest of the range has an 8-inch version, still not that impressive for the class.

That said, most of the materials are of decent quality and the interior design has thoughtful details. Such as the recessed temperature control sliders that can be adjusted by feel, instead of having to look at them.

If buyers can afford the one-up-from-base SE trim, they’ll find seating surfaces of simulated leather, and a dual-zone automatic climate control that recognizes voice commands. To get its attention, say: “Hey Volkswagen.” Then a command like “raise the cabin temperature by two degrees” will be obeyed.

Three seating rows are standard in the the first three trim levels, as long as the standard front-wheel-drive arrangement is also in the picture. Given that the Tiguan is a compact SUV, that rearmost row is a kids-only zone, unless you’re giving a couple of hobbits a lift back to Middle Earth.

Adult humans of average build should be sufficiently content in the reclining second row, with its 36.6 inches of rear legroom. Versions with all-wheel drive — meaning no third row — enjoy 38.7 inches.

The third row splits and folds in a 50/50 manner. The second row follows the 40/20/40 formula — and slides forward and back with about 6 inches of travel.

Cargo space is also affected by the third row, with 12 cubic feet behind it. Fold the second and third rows to make a maximum of 65.3 cubic feet. A 2-row/all-wheel-drive counterpart has 37.6 cubic feet going up to 73.4. This compares well with the roomier members of the class.

LED exterior lighting is standard across the 2023 Tiguan lineup. So this compact SUV looks contemporary, yet still unmemorable.

Except perhaps for those trapezoidal exhaust outlets, but they’re fake. The real exhaust is hidden behind the rear fascia. It’s a cheesiness that seems inappropriate on a Volkswagen.

A new design for the 19-inch alloy wheels of the SE R-Line Black model is one of 2023’s minor changes. They’re still finished in black, of course. The top SE R-Line version has 20-inch alloys.

Paint choices this year are: Atlantic Blue Metallic, Deep Black Pearl, Platinum Grey Metallic, Pyrite Silver Metallic, Pure White, Opal White Pearl and Kings Red.

A powered liftgate becomes standard in the one-up-from-base SE trim. It’s quite heavy without that assistance. Hands-free operation is part of the top trim.

1. Digital Cockpit
Adding to the 2023 Tiguan’s classy cabin, every 2023 Tiguan SUV sports a digital driver information display. The first three trims have a simpler 8-inch version, while the top level brings the highly configurable 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro.

2. VW Car-Net
Owners can connect with their 2023 Tiguan using a smartphone app. Services include remote lock/unlock, automatic crash notification, stolen vehicle location, and things like how much fuel is in the tank.

3. IQ.Drive
This is the name of the extra driver assistance features that are optional in the base S and standard across the rest of the range. It includes features like adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and active blind-spot monitoring.

4. Ambient LED lighting
The top two trims put on more of a luxury-car show with a choice of 15 colors for this ambient cabin lighting system.

5. All-wheel drive
VW uses the term 4Motion for its all-wheel-drive systems. Like the front-drive Tiguan, there are Normal, Sport, and Eco driving modes. But 4Motion adds Snow and Offroad modes.

6. Park Assist
Exclusive to the top SEL R-Line version, this takes the stress out of dealing with parallel and perpendicular parking spaces by handling the steering and transmission. The driver just works the accelerator and the brakes, but there’s slow-speed emergency braking as well.

Yes, the engine is turbocharged, but the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit in the 2023 Tiguan compact SUV is not tuned for muscle. Instead, it combusts regular gasoline to make a modest 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. That’s not out of line with other compact SUVs, but the Tiguan is among the heaviest entries in the group.

This power goes to either the front wheels (FWD) or an available all-wheel-drive (AWD) system through an 8-speed automatic transmission. The top SEL R-Line has AWD as standard.

With the proper equipment, a Tiguan is rated to tow up to 1,500 pounds.

2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
184 horsepower @ 4,400 rpm
221 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/31 mpg (FWD S), 23/30 mpg (FWD SE, SE R-Line Black, SEL R-Line), 22/29 mpg (AWD S, SE), 21/28 mpg (SE R-Line Black, SEL R-Line)

4/50 Warranty

The new-vehicle warranty for the 2023 Tiguan SUV lasts for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. That’s not bad, since some manufacturers offer three years or 36,000 miles. The powertrain is covered by the same arrangement. Volkswagen also includes two years or 20,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance.

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