When Beauty On The Inside Matters More: The 2025 VW Tiguan’s Huge Makeover
I’ve had a VW Tiguan in my driveway for several years now and I love it: The square corners, the sharp lights, the roomy, resilient interior.
For 2025, the VW Tiguan continues with all those good things and adds even more beauty inside: Massage seats, a 17” multimedia screen, a clever dual wireless phone charger, voice assistance, and a digital driver’s display.
It all adds up to a really good 4-door, 5-passenger SUV.
We just got a quick look and this is what we are excited about.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. No AI was used.
The VW Tiguan Has a Sharp New Exterior, and Sharp New Lights
The VW Tiguan has a new exterior look with slightly rounder corners on the front and rear, and on the front, slender headlights that are connected by a light bar across the front. The look is still distinct and updates the Tiguan with the same design features as the Atlas, Taos, and other VW models.
Read: Which Volkswagen SUV is Right for You? Comparing the VW Atlas, VW Tiguan and VW Taos
The Tiguan’s New Rear End Closes The Deal
The rear end has also been updated with a new look: The rear tail lights span the liftgate and around the corners of the car, also connecting the look more closely to Tiguan’s other VW siblings.
Read: 2025 VW Taos Just Got a Makeover with Winky New Lights, Shiny Treads and a Fresh New Face
Sharp New Wheels Set The Tone For a Fun Drive
Under the hood of the 2025 VW Tiguan is a new 4-cylinder turbo engine that generates 201 HP, up from the 184 HP of the 2024 model.
Driving the VW Tiguan is fun and confident; there’s plenty of power underfoot from the turbo engine, and the relatively quiet cabin makes the ride comfortable.
Read: H.E.L.P. Roadside Assistance is On the Way —Thanks to New Tech Coming to VW
A Plug-in Hybrid Version is For Sale in Europe and Hopefully, in the US
The model we tested was the European hybrid, and it was a delight. With an all-electric range of 50+ miles (it’s still too soon to know exactly) and hybrid fuel economy (still too soon to know what that will be, too) the hybrid starts silently, offers electric-only driving and you can set the level of regeneration from none to high.
In high mode, the deceleration is pretty forceful which will add to the overall efficiency of the Tiguan. I hope this version is offered in the US; it’s very well done.
A 17” Multimedia Screen Anchors the Cabin
VW completely redesigned the multimedia system with new graphics, new features, and some smart functions. At the top of the screen is a toolbar that can be customized for quick access to your favorite features. Tap the square “home” icon and you’ll get the home screen which can also be customized.
On the screen you’ll find drive modes (though there’s a button for that), navigation, music, and more. There’s also Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and there’s voice activation.
The voice system does something that is really great: It allows you to change the wake word. The default is “Hello Ida” and Hello Volkswagen,” but you can set it to anything you like. “Hey You,” “Hey Punkin,” or whatever you like.
A Volume Dial That Doubles as A Drive Mode Dial
A large colorful backlit dial sits squarely at the center of the console and it’s topped with a large arrow. Dial it for radio volume control and tap it to toggle between volume and drive modes; once in the drive mode selection, turn the dial to pick the mode you want. You can also toggle the drive mode screen on the multimedia system to choose your ambient lighting design; there are pre-selected “moods” with colors ranging from pink and red to blue and green.
An Elegant New Interior Design
In fact, “Elegance” is what the Tiguan’s top trim is named in Europe, and it truly is elegant. Leather seating with white piping, perforations for ventilation; heated seats, and steering wheel. Pictured above is the updated European interior so you can see the difference in the styling of the U.S. spec.
And massaging seats. I tried them and really liked them; it’s wonderful that something so indulgent is offered on a mid-range car like the Tiguan.
Flexible Storage Space in the Center Console
This I really like: There is a movable shelf that covers the wireless charge pads —yes, charge pads, as in two—on the center console. In front of that, there is a configurable space that allows you to choose, or not, how many cup holders there are: two in the center and two under the armrest. Oh, and the cup holders under the armrest? They can be removed to open a storage spot.
A Comfy Rear Sweat With Lots of Legroom
The rear seats are wide and roomy with enough space to relax and cross your legs. This also means there’s enough space to install a rear-facing child car seat. I measured from my seat back to the rear seat back and found 33” of space.
There are two full sets of LATCHes making car seat installation even easier, though the middle seat is narrow and probably not wide enough for a 3rd car seat.
Finally, the Tiguan Name Explained!
This is a fun Easter Egg in the Tiguan: The name, explained. Since “Tiguan” is a cross between a tiger and an iguana, VW included silhouettes of both on the rear side windows: A Tiger on the driver’s side and an iguana on the passenger’s side. Or, Tiguan.
More Tiguan Details Are on the Horizon
We are still waiting for fuel economy, pricing, and delivery dates, all to be announced soon as the 2025 VW Tiguan goes into production. But with the improvements on the inside and a sharp new look, a lot of us will be waiting impatiently for its release.
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