By Sala Masindane

The Volkswagen Tiguan has long been a household choice for many South African families. So much so that the German manufacturer even introduced the seven-seater Tiguan AllSpace to ensure it catered to a broader audience. Fast forward to today, and the landscape looks very different. Chinese brands are entering the market with products that offer impressive technology—often at a fraction of the price.

Granted, the Tiguan has always felt upmarket, but in today’s tech-focused climate, that alone is no longer enough. With all this in mind, the Tiguan remains an important model for Volkswagen. It was crucial that the new version tick all the right boxes—without losing the essence of the brand.

Exterior design

The new Tiguan has grown in size and is instantly recognisable, thanks to its ID-inspired front end. A standout feature is the striking front design, which includes very flat LED headlights and a glass-covered horizontal strip. At the rear, a new horizontal LED light strip enhances its bold and modern appearance. This updated look trades some of the sportiness of the R-Line for a more elegant aesthetic, but it hasn’t lost any of its street presence.

Interior and features

Inside, the Tiguan boasts a completely redesigned cabin. Highlights include a new 12-inch infotainment display, a fully digital instrument cluster, and a new rotary controller with its own mini screen, which allows control of the driving profile, radio volume, and ambient lighting colours. The cockpit layout is intuitive, well-integrated, and smartly designed.

While the infotainment system is easy to use, the lack of physical buttons—common in many modern cars—is still missed. Thankfully, the electronically adjustable and massaging front seats help make up for that by offering superb comfort. The increased body length also means the boot space has grown by 37 litres, now offering 652 litres in total.

Drive and performance

Powering the Tiguan is a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine delivering 110 kW and 250 Nm, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The engine offers adequate power on demand. While it’s not class-leading, it delivers a smooth and refined drive.

During our test, which included mostly urban driving, we recorded an average consumption of 7.2 L/100km—slightly better than the claimed 7.6 L/100km. That said, we believe the diesel variant would likely offer even better fuel economy and improved torque delivery.

Final word

Overall, the Volkswagen Tiguan offers solid practicality, good space, and respectable fuel economy—making it a strong contender as VW fights back against growing competition. However, it’s not without its flaws. The minimalist cabin design isn’t for everyone and could have made better use of space.

Then there’s the elephant in the room: pricing. Whether the new Tiguan will remain a local favourite may depend heavily on how it’s positioned cost-wise. Fortunately, Volkswagen appears to be making a concerted effort to adjust pricing on models like the Polo and T-Cross, which could bode well for the Tiguan’s future. The Volkswagen Tiguan is priced from R664,500.