Is the 2025 VW Tiguan My Next Mom-Mobile? I Spent the Week With it, and My Family, To See
The 2025 VW Tiguan hasn't just been redesigned, it's been completely overhauled—and we have almost nothing bad to say about it.
This past spring, I drove the redesigned 2025 VW Tiguan in Bozeman, Montana, and I left wondering what it would be like to drive it at home with my son during my weekly adventures, in the dark with the ambient lighting, and in style with the Sandstone Uni color. Well, dreams do come true, as I got to review the Tiguan SEL R-Line a few weeks ago.
The Tiguan has more horsepower, sitting at 201 horsepower over 184 HP in the prior model, along with standard safety and driver assistance features, and an updated exterior look, plus interior decor styles and color ways that you can match to your personality—or choose from VW’s preset Atmospheres drive moods. For $39,755 MSRP, it felt almost too good to be true.
Driving the 2025 VW Tiguan on my first test drive in Montana felt picturesque with its scenic views and winding roads, but what would it be like to drive on the flat roads and highways here in Texas? Here’s what I thought after a week of everyday driving in the 2025 VW Tiguan SEL R-Line.
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.
The VW Tiguan is Ready for Commuting and Family Fun
There aren’t any mountains near me, but I can appreciate the 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo engine with SEL R-Line’s standard 4Motion all-wheel drive and 201 horsepower when accelerating on the highway or running errands around the city.
The fuel economy is helpful for those double or triple commuting days with 25 combined miles per gallon, 22 in the city, and 30 on the highway. We didn’t have to fuel up in the week we reviewed the VW Tiguan SEL R-Line, even though we had a lot of local errands and some highway driving to and from a day out with the family. Highway driving was smooth, but I’d appreciate a little more boost in the pony power there.
Acceleration-wise, I do think there could be more gusto when everyone thinks the Dallas streets and highways are the Autobahn, and I am attempting to keep my family safe and out of harm’s way. Overall, I loved that no matter whether driving in the city or on the highway, the quiet cabin gave us some peace, thanks to the bigger wheels. These bigger wheels are standard on the SEL R-Line and SE R-Line Black as well. For reference, you’ll find 19” on the SE trim and 17” on the S.
READ MORE: The 2025 VW Tiguan Got a Makeover, But Could It Possibly Get Better?
Assistance Features Kick In and Keep Your Family Safe at All Times
Bright LED headlights and an illuminated front and rear logo with light bars create a distinct, redesigned look that not only looks good, but helps light up the drive. Safety is top of mind as a mom, but after driving in the city in the 2025 VW Tiguan SEL R-Line, I’d have to say the front assist is a feature that not only is great for teens and those new to driving, but also when you’re driving around town.
It gave me peace of mind knowing that when there are unexpected drivers popping out, they’re less likely to give me a jump scare, knowing the car is looking out for what’s ahead of us. Experiencing these safety features when you least expect them truly instills your confidence, especially when the front assist feature activates the emergency brakes. It may not be such a sexy feature, but let’s be real: it’s the one you and your family need.
If you need to secure your most precious cargo in the backseat, there are two sets of full LATCHes, on the left and right seats, with the lower anchors easily accessible. If you need top tethers, all three seats can accommodate. However, consider the width so all three can comfortably fit with the doors closed. It’s relieving to know that the safety and driver assistance features are keeping my whole family safe, while I can fit everyone into the second row with car seats and adults alike.
READ MORE: Which Volkswagen SUV is Right for You? Here’s How the VW Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan and Taos Line Up
Kiddos and Adults Alike Have Ample Space in Style
Space in the front, second row, and cargo make room for more memories, but is there enough cargo space? The short answer: yes. Especially since VW listened to its customers to ditch the third row, there’s 26.5 cubic feet to hold your luggage, groceries, gear, and more. I love that the lift gate is powered and you can access it hands-free with an easy open and close feature.
With ample legroom upfront and in the second row, the seats give you the mental space to enjoy the ride, look out the panoramic sunroof, and worry about your own cupholder contents. You can still pass the snacks back with ease, but the kids will want to keep them nearby in the storage next to them, either in the pouches behind the seats, cubbies on the outside of the left and right seats, or in the armrest cupholders.
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Passenger (And Driver) Pampering Comes Standard
It’s your relaxation era in the front with heated and ventilated leather seats with quilted stitching. And massaging front seats were amazing after a long, exhausting day, and I was able to set the mood with Atmospheres (a software feature that combines ambient lighting with your music). Getting back into the zone was surprisingly easy.
Whether you’re selecting the ambient lighting on its own, or setting the mood with Atmospheres, you can select from 30 colors on the SEL R-Line here, or 10 colors as a standard on the SE and SE R-Line Black trims.
The large 15” touchscreen display and multimedia system lets you navigate, set up a wi-fi hotspot, with up the type of massage, and simultaneously put your phone out of sight in the 15W integrated wireless charging with cooling.
And when we’re talking understated, minimalist, and affordable luxury on a budget, this Sandstone Uni color as a standard color offering blows my mind every time. You know how much I love a pop of color, but this is art in motion with its natural, neutral color palette. With a loud, busy world and schedule, I’ll take a break from the color pops and immerse myself in peaceful bliss at best in my own world on the road in this pampering, mom-approved SUV.
READ MORE: The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Gives Us Spacious Spa Vibes
Could This Work for Your Next Family SUV?
For tech-loving, small families who want to enjoy the ride in style, while not sacrificing cargo space for a third row, this capable, safe, and versatile family SUV can go the distance with its fuel economy and handling, whether you live somewhere with elevation and weather changes to simple, flat road driving.
As tested at $41,180, the 2025 VW Tiguan SEL R-Line can power our day-to-day travels, give us the space we need, keep us safe, and pamper us on the go while staying well under our max preferred budget at $50K. I’ll let you take a test drive while I enjoy the massaging seats from the passenger seat. Now, to get my family to settle on a color offering and ambient lighting we can all agree on here.
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