American-Spec Tiguan: Bigger Size, Upgraded Features at LA Show

A new Volkswagen Tiguan is heading to America, but it’s not the same as the new model sold in other markets around the world.

The Tiguan has been a different version since it first appeared in the United States. This new model will once again be larger in America than it is in many other markets. The new model will be displayed and reviewed at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. This new version of the Tiguan brings upgraded tech and features to give us a better small SUV than VW currently offers.

A market shift that goes backward

You might think the normal progression of vehicles is to move from gasoline to hybrid to plug-in hybrid to electric. Many automakers, including Volkswagen, skipped over the hybrid steps when they noticed the incredible push for electric vehicles. This push was aided by the new federal government stance to work toward at least 50% of all vehicle sales in America coming from EVs by the end of the decade. EV sales looked strong, and most brands worked tirelessly to get a piece of the EV pie, but something happened that changed this.

Over the last year, electric vehicle sales have slowed. Although these sales are still growing, they aren’t increasing at the same rate as in 2022 and 2023. This has caused some automakers to take a step back and realize that many drivers don’t want to be limited by EV driving ranges and rely so heavily on electricity when the recharging infrastructure isn’t large enough to support exponential EV growth. This has led VW and others to announce they want to move backward toward plug-in hybrid vehicles. In fact, the Tiguan offered in other countries is a PHEV model, and the brand intends to bring a PHEV to America.

Volkswagen isn’t alone in the hybrid push

The last time VW offered a hybrid vehicle in the US was the Jetta Hybrid, which was dropped in 2016. A movement toward more PHEVs could be exactly what the market needs right now. This will give drivers electrification that must be plugged in and a gasoline engine in the same vehicle. PHEVs have an all-electric driving range and qualify for the Federal EV Tax Credit. Jeep has also announced plans to add lower-cost traditional hybrids and PHEVs alongside its EVs. These two brands aren’t the only names turning toward hybrid technology.

What does the current Tiguan offer?

The current Volkswagen Tiguan lineup is unique in its class. It happens to be one of the only compact SUVs to have three rows of seats. This feature makes it competitive with the Mitsubishi Outlander and Kia Sorento, which are midsize SUVs that have three rows of seats as part of the standard offering.

Powertrain

Every version of the 2024 Tiguan has a 2.0-lite turbocharged 4-cylinder engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain produces 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque and can be enjoyed as either an FWD SUV or AWD version. The FWD models return 24 city/31 hwy mpg and can tow up to 1,500 pounds. If you choose an AWD model, the fuel mileage drops to 22 city/29 hwy mpg.

Four Trims

The Volkswagen Tiguan comes in four trims: S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line. These trims offer a variety of equipment and features to allow owners to enjoy the driving experience desired. Here are the trims and a few highlights:

Tiguan S

• Three-row seating
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Heated front seats
• 6.5-inch touchscreen
• 8-inch Digital Cockpit
• Automatic emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane-keeping assist

Tiguan SE

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Power liftgate
• Leatherette seats
• Power driver’s seat
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Remote engine start
• Wireless charging
• 8-inch touchscreen
• SiriusXM with 360L
• Available panoramic sunroof

SE R-Line Black

• R-Line appearance package
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Panoramic sunroof
• Multicolor ambient interior lighting
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Parking sensors

SEL R-Line

• Standard AWD
• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Hands-free power liftgate
• Leather seats
• Ventilated front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro
• Navigation
• Fender 9-speaker audio system

Favorite Features

Digital Cockpit

Every version of the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan has a digital cockpit information display. The lower three trims have a non-configurable 8-inch screen, but the top trim sports a configurable 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system which is configurable.

VW Car-Net

Connect your Tiguan to your smartphone via the VW Car-Net app and enjoy services that include remote lock/unlock, automatic crash notification, stolen vehicle location, and the amount of fuel in the tank.

Emergency Assist

This feature brings the Volkswagen Tiguan to a gradual stop and activates the hazard warning lights if the driver becomes incapacitated. Hopefully, you’ll never need this feature, but you might.