Slotted between the smaller Taos and larger Atlas in the Volkswagen lineup, the Tiguan is a compact SUV that was originally launched in 2007 and came to North America in 2009. The top-selling model globally and the second best selling model in Canada (behind the Taos), the Tiguan is an integral part of the brand’s success.
Prioritizing more profitable models with the potential for higher volume, Volkswagen is transitioning to an SUV brand, which contributed to 77 per cent of the company’s sales in Canada last year.
Previously receiving one significant update and several facelifts during its lifecycle, Volkswagen claims that the third-generation Tiguan is totally new, sharing nothing with the previous incarnations.
The new 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan benefits from a host of updates, including a bold new exterior design and an elevated interior through the use of premium materials and upgraded infotainment.
With completely redone sheet metal, the design has more muscular proportions and a gaping front grille, with a shorter rear overhang and a small increase to the wheelbase. The front end gets slimmer headlights, while a pronounced LED light bar and illuminated logo appear both front and back. The side profile features a more pronounced shoulder line and a spoiler that extends the rear roofline.
The interior features a new modern design, along with upgraded materials such as American walnut open-pore wood and Savona leather. The gear selector has been moved to the steering column to free up space on the centre console. Thankfully, the steering wheel retains physical buttons.
A new infotainment and user interface is experienced through either the standard 10.25-inch or 12.9-inch display, which includes a rotary dial control on the centre console to adjust volume, drive modes, and the newly available “Atmospheres” function, which combine up to five preset synchronized ambient lighting settings with audio through a premium 12-speaker harman/kardon sound system.
Standard features include automatic climate control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a heated steering wheel and front seats. Additional options include a head-up display, power tailgate, quilted leather seats, a black roof, 12-way power front seats with massage and ventilation functions, heated rear seats, and three-zone climate control. The 15W wireless phone charger has been relocated and features a cooling function to improve charging and reduce overheating.
Thanks in part to the use of aluminum in the updated suspension and high-strength hot-formed steel in the body structure, the new model shaves off 77 kg compared to the outgoing model. The turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine also gets a bump from 184 hp to 201 and will be mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Volkswagen has yet to release fuel economy or acceleration numbers but says both have improved over the second-generation Tiguan. The 17-hp increase also comes with an improvement in towing capacity from 680 kg (1,500 lbs) to 816 kg (1,800 lbs).
Driver assistance features are standard across all trims, including adaptive cruise control and semi-automated driving assistance, forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and rear traffic alert, and lane and parking assists. The vehicle introduces four new airbags for a total of 10, including driver knee, centre, and rear side airbags.
New wheel variations and three new colour options will be available in Canada, including Avocado Green Pearl, Ascot Grey, and Monterey Blue Pearl. The Trendline trim gets 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, while the Comfortline gets 18-inch wheels. R-Line models, which contribute to 60 per cent of current Tiguan sales in Canada, will get exclusive 20-inch wheels.
The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan will be available exclusively in a two-row configuration for the North American market. No hybrid option will be offered at launch but is said to be under serious consideration for a mid-cycle refresh. Canadian models should be available mid-2025, with pricing to be provided at a later date.
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