USED: 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Review: A Compact SUV with a Little Extra Room When You Need It

Shannon Entin |

Updated: Jul 14, 2022

The Volkswagen Tiguan has an optional - and amazing - panoramic sunroof. — I love a good panoramic sunroof! Photo: Shannon Entin.

Love Volkswagen but need an SUV? You’ll fall for the Tiguan.

Volkswagen is not necessarily a name you associate with SUVs. When I think of VW, I think of the Rabbit my husband drove when I first met him. I think of the Jetta my Uncle loved for so many years when he commuted from Connecticut to Tarrytown, NY. I think small, efficient, long-lasting.

Now Volkswagen is finally getting on the SUV bandwagon. They didn’t release their first Tiguan compact sport utility vehicle until 2008 – nearly a decade into the compact SUV craze. In 2017, nearly another decade later, the second generation Tiguan was unveiled with more cargo space and a more competitive price.

For traditional Volkswagen lovers who need the extra space of an SUV, the Tiguan could be your answer.

Volkswagen added a bit more of slope to the back of the Tiguan, resulting is sleek styling.

Who This Car is For

Singles, couples or small families
Buyers who need occasional third-row seating
Consumers who want good cargo space for an active lifestyle
Drivers who need all-wheel drive

What it Costs

Base S model, includes roof rails, $25,345
SE model including leatherette seats, keyless entry, push-button start and blind spot monitors, $29,080
SEL model, includes panoramic sun roof, 8-inch infotainment screen, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, remote start $32,550,
SEL Premium adds VW digital cockpit driver information display, Fender premium audio system, hands-free lift gate, $36,250
4MOTION all-wheel drive, $1,300
Driver assistance safety technology package, $850
Panoramic sunroof, $1,200
Third row (standard in front-wheel drive models), $500
The model we drove was the SEL Premium with a third-row seat package and an MSRP of $38,950.

A Tale of Two Volkswagens: The 2018 Atlas and Tiguan 7-passenger SUVs

The Volkswagen Tiguan is a smooth, sleek, comfortable ride.

Driving the Volkswagen Tiguan is a pleasure

Driving the Volkswagen Tiguan is a lovely experience. It’s smooth, sleek and, dare I say just a bit luxurious? I loved the beautifully stitched Storm Gray interior – which is more of a creamy white than grey. The cockpit is comfortable with its heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated driver seat with 10-way power adjustment, and leather seating surfaces. I wasn’t a fan of the teeny-tiny center console, but I could overlook it.

Beautiful Storm Gray leather interior of the Volkswagen Tiguan.

While it may lack a little bit in pep, most people really don’t buy their SUVs for pep. Most people buy SUVs for cargo space and for driving in all sorts of conditions. The Tiguan delivers that with its available 4MOTION all-wheel drive with Active Control. This is a four-wheel drive system that distributes engine power to all four wheels as required by the conditions. This helps increase traction. For example, if the front of rear axle slips on ice or unstable ground, 4MOTION will automatically compensate by shifting more power to the other axle.

And if you need to accommodate snowy or off-road conditions, the Tiguan comes with four modes: snow, on-road, off-road, and off-road custom – where you can set parameters like steering and AWD options to your own preferences.

CONSIDER THE COMPETITION: NISSAN ROGUE

Lots of legroom in the second row of the Tiguan!

But how about that third-row space?

While the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan is more than 10 inches longer than the first generation model, you don’t feel that space in the third row. The increase in size is clear in its second-row legroom as well as its 38 cubic feet of cargo storage (73.5 cubic feet if all the seats are folded down). Even when the third row was up, I found adequate space in the back for modest amounts of luggage or groceries.

With the third row raised, the Volkswagen Tiguan still has adequate cargo space.

SO MUCH CARGO SPACE in the Volkswagen Tiguan with the third row folded down!

But sitting in that third row is not something a large child or full-sized adult would want to do on a regular basis. I sat back there and my knees were squished up against the seat in front of me. It’s definitely fine for bringing along the occasional friend though.

IS A COMPACT THREE ROW SUV TOO SMALL FOR YOU? CHECK OUT THE VW ATLAS

The Tiguan is terrific if you only need the third row once in a while. It's a bit tight for an adult back there

The Volkswagen Tiguan has all the safety features you want in an SUV

The SEL Premium trim is loaded with safety features to protect you and your precious cargo. Some of these include:

Adaptive front lighting system – headlights move with you to help you see what’s ahead.
Pedestrian Monitoring – if a pedestrian is sensed and the driver does not respond, the car will brake full force.
Blind spot monitoring and lane assist – the steering wheel can vibrate in addition to the visual light warning on the side mirrors.
Overhead view camera – offers a 360-degree view of what’s around you.
Intelligent Crash Response System – if a collision deploys the airbags, this system can turn off the fuel pump, unlock the doors, and activate the hazard lights. It helps react if you might not be able to.
Automatic Post-collision Braking System – brings your car to a stop immediately when there is a collision.

The 360-degree overhead view camera is a fantastic option!

Tech, Conveniences and – oh! – those cupholders!

In addition to the driver’s seat features mentioned above, the Tiguan also boasts an impressive array of amenities to make your drive a joy.

Heated passenger seat with 6-way manual adjustment
Panoramic sunroof
Adaptive cruise control
Auto high beams
Remote engine start and keyless access
8” touchscreen infotainment system with Fender premium audio system
Hands-free liftgate
Power, folding, heated side mirrors
Park Pilot system helps you get in and out of parking spaces by indicating how much space you have and beeping when you get too close
Seat release levers in cargo area that easily drop the 2^nd and 3^rd rows.

Lots of cupholder options for all size bottles in the Volkswagen Tiguan.

The Tiguan also has something that I consider a requirement in any car I drive: plenty of cupholders that can accommodate oversized bottles. I usually drive with two beverages: coffee and a large water bottle. I like to keep my coffee in the center cupholder, but in many cars my big water bottle will not fit in the door cupholder. I’m happy to report that the Tiguan’s door cupholders were perfect for both my bottle and my daughter’s in the passenger seat. The cupholders in the center were also perfect because they have flexible grips to keep large and smaller beverage containers from moving around.

As for technology, the Tiguan has 2 UBS ports, an aux port, and a 12V plug in the front that are easily accessible. The back has one USB port and a 12V plug. The infotainment touchscreen is easy to control and responsive to touch, and the Tiguan supports Apple Carplay.