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The New Volkswagen Tiguan Is a Huge Step In the Right Direction: Review

Volkswagen's compact SUV finally feels like a real competitor.

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Review

Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Jeff Perez

By: Jeff Perez

Aug 26, 2025 at 12:00pm ET

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The Volkswagen Tiguan has always been one of the better compact SUVs in its class, but even after 18 years on the market, it’s never quite matched the dominance of rivals like those from Honda or Toyota. That could change with the all-new 2025 Tiguan, which makes massive strides to better compete with the CR-V and RAV4.

With sleek styling and a well-equipped interior, the new Tiguan checks all the right boxes. Built on VW’s versatile MQB Evo platform, the updated model is 170 pounds lighter than its predecessor. Inside, it features higher-quality materials, a cleaner layout, and a large central touchscreen.

Power comes from an updated turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, featuring a new turbo and a revised fuel-injection system. Output rises to 201 horsepower (up from 184), and torque improves to 221 lb-ft of torque (or 207 pound-feet on the front-drive model).

Overall, the new Tiguan is an excellent SUV.

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Pros

Sharp Exterior Design
High-Quality Interior
Surprisingly Fun
There’s a Volume Knob

The previous Tiguan was never much of a looker, but the new model is genuinely sharp. While the large gloss-black grille might not appeal to everyone, the overall design is clean, cohesive, and uncontroversial.

Up front, slim LED headlights are connected by a narrow light bar that stretches across the hoodline, giving the Tiguan a modern, upscale appearance. At the rear, a distinctive taillight design and an (optional) illuminated VW logo assure you won’t confuse the Tiguan for a CR-V.

Inside, the cabin is nice—really nice. This fully loaded SEL R-Line trim comes standard with perforated leather seats, ambient lighting, and a massive 15.0-inch touchscreen. Materials throughout the cabin feel premium for the class, with wood accents and high-quality plastics on the dash and door panels adding to the upscale feel.

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Review

Photos by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Power from the turbocharged engine is sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system available. The model tested here came equipped with AWD.

In typical VW fashion, the Tiguan is a pretty fun thing to fling around. The turbocharged engine delivers strong low-end torque while still providing enough power higher in the rev range for effortless highway passes. The eight-speed automatic shifts quickly and effortlessly, too.

And finally—yes, there’s a volume knob. Despite adopting VW’s latest infotainment interface (complete with its typical touch-capacitive controls), the Tiguan has a physical volume knob just behind the gear selector. It doubles as a drive mode selector and proves to be surprisingly useful in everyday driving.

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Cons

Still Not Enough Buttons
Somewhat Stiff Ride

As welcome as the Tiguan’s new volume knob is, it doesn’t fully make up for the abundance of touch-capacitive controls. While the steering wheel thankfully replaces the previous controls with real buttons, you still have to deal with finicky touch-sensitive sliders below the touchscreen for adjusting fan speed, temperature, and other basic functions. It’s still very annoying.

Also mildly annoying is the ride quality. The Tiguan isn’t an uncomfortable SUV by any means, but it rides firmer than some of its competitors and doesn’t handle rough pavement or speed bumps nearly as well. That could be due in part to the 20-inch wheels on this SEL R-Line model; drop down to the base model’s 17-inch shoes, and ride quality should improve.

What do you think?

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2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Verdict

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Review

Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Frankly, there’s not much to complain about with the new Volkswagen Tiguan. It looks sharp, offers a refined and comfortable interior, and is genuinely enjoyable to drive. At $30,920 to start for 2025 (with destination included), it's still a bargain, too.

While the touch-capacitive controls and slightly firm ride may annoy some, those flaws are easy to overlook in an SUV that gets so much right otherwise. Honda and Toyota—watch your backs.

Tiguan Competitors

Competitor Reviews

The Honda CR-V TrailSport Is All Looks: Review

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson Is God-Tier NPC Transportation: First Drive Review

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line

Engine Turbocharged 2.0-Liter Four-Cylinder

Output 201 Horsepower / 221 Pound-Feet of Torque

Transmission Eight-Speed Automatic

Drive Type All-Wheel Drive

Weight 3,801 Pounds

Efficiency 22 City / 30 Highway / 25 Combined

Seating Capacity 5

Towing 1,800 Pounds

Base Price $30,920

As-Tested Price $41,180 (est.)

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