| Quick Specs | 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line |
| Engine | Turbocharged 2.0-Liter Four-Cylinder |
| Output | 201 Horsepower / 221 Pound-Feet |
| Transmission | Eight-Speed Automatic |
| Drive-Type | All-Wheel Drive |
| As-Tested | $41,180 |
Pros: Lots of Standard Tech, Stylish, Comfortable
Cons: Sluggish Powertrain, Touch Sliders, Gimmicky Knob
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan: A Worthy Successor
The new 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan is an improvement over its predecessor in nearly every way; it’s lighter, packs more standard technology, has more power, and remains affordable in a market littered with pricey SUVs.
The updated Tiguan weighs 170 pounds less than its predecessor, riding on VW’s MQB Evo architecture. As a result, it achieves a better fuel economy, which should please cost-conscious buyers looking for value in the compact crossover segment while being more enjoyable to drive.
The Tiguan has an elegant new design without looking soft. It’s shorter overall than the 2024 model it replaces, too, but it retains the same wheelbase, giving it a tougher stance enhanced by the sharper bodywork.
The Tiguan is VW’s best-selling model in America, with sales up 23.8 percent last year, even though the second-gen model launched for 2018. Volkswagen has a lot riding on the Tiguan, and the updated version we drove in dreary Montana, an SEL R-Line, gives the automaker a worthy entry in the segment.
Engine, Horsepower, Drivetrain: Pleasantly Forgettable
The 2025 Tiguan’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine makes more power than the outgoing model—201 horsepower versus 184. Volkswagen says the power increase comes from a new turbocharger, injection system, and camshaft design. It pairs with an eight-speed transmission that’s fine for everyday driving.
Front-wheel drive is standard, but 4Motion all-wheel drive is optional on every trim except the SEL R-Line, where it’s standard. The 4Motion version benefits from making a bit more torque than the FWD version, delivering 221 pound-feet compared to just 207.
The Tiguan prioritizes efficiency over fun, even in the available Sport mode. However, potential buyers likely aren’t too concerned about performance specs in this segment because it makes up for what the Tiguan lacks in power (and will be rectified later with the Turbo) with technology and comfort.
Technology, Infotainment, Interior: Luxury Features, Budget Price
The standard infotainment screen measures 12.9 inches, but the top-line Tiguan SEL R-line trim I drove gets a big, bright 15.0-inch central display. It was quick and responsive, and despite having to dig through menus for specific settings, they were intuitive to find with just a few taps. VW’s 10.3-inch driver display is standard.
A row of climate controls sits at the bottom of the screen, while a row at the top left provides access to the app drawer, vehicle settings, navigation, phone, and media. There’s even a dedicated button to disable the automatic on-off feature. That’s good, but the screen has illuminated touch sliders for the volume and temperature controls facing upward, which were hard to see clearly in the daytime glare.
There is a central control knob on the center console between the start-stop and parking brake buttons. It primarily controls volume, but you can click the screen in the center to rotate through the drive modes or “atmospheres”—software that synchronizes the ambient lighting and audio. The settings appear on the central display, so you don’t have to avert your eyes too far from the road, but swiping between the two options remains finicky.
Volkswagen moved the gear shifter to the column, freeing up 7.6 liters of storage space in the center console. The SEL R-Line features real wood dash accents with soft, comfortable quilted leather seats. Heated front seats are standard on the Tiguan, but the top trim has ventilated and massaging fronts, too, and you can direct the heating or cooling to the cushion or seatback for greater comfort and customizability.
The SEL R-Line also includes rear climate control and outboard rear seats. However, VW has discontinued the third-row option for the Tiguan, citing customer feedback.
Design: Americanized
The 2025 Tiguan has an all-new exterior design with shorter overhangs and wheels moved outward to give it a boxier stance. The SEL R-Line has 20-inch wheels, illuminated front and rear logos and light bars, body-color side sills and mirrors, and silver roof rails that provide a bit of elegance to an otherwise stylish crossover. However, the wide, black grille is a tad overpowering, and VW replicates the mesh styling on the rear bumper.
Drive Impressions: Quiet & Comfortable
While the 2025 Tiguan has more power than before, the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is still moving a 3,800-pound crossover, and it’s noticeable. The ride is firm but comfortable, and the cabin is mostly quiet, with just a bit of audible road noise. The steering is on the heavier side, but it never feels tiring.
The Tiguan isn’t quick, but you won’t worry about darting through traffic as needed or passing a slow-moving car. However, getting used to the brake pedal will take time; it requires a lot of travel before confidently engaging the brakes and slowing the vehicle. The 4Motion all-wheel-drive system handles the wet Montana roads of our route without issue, even when pushing the crossover.
Fuel Economy: Improved Across the Board
The 2025 Tiguan might make more power, but the crossover is lighter, too, which means the fuel economy benefits. The Tiguan SEL R-Line with all-wheel drive is rated at 22 miles per gallon city, 30 highway, and 25 combined. The entry-level, front-wheel-drive S gets 26 city, 34 highway, and 29 combined. The SE trims return 25 city, 32 highway, and 28 combined.
Pricing + Verdict: A Stylish Value
My fully loaded Tiguan SEL R-Line 4Motion tester costs $41,180 (the price includes the $1,425 destination charge). It’s the top trim, for now, and comes with exclusive goodies like a 15.0-inch infotainment display, three-zone climate control, heated rear outboard seats, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, and several visual enhancements that separate it from the other trims. The only option available is the black roof and mirror caps package that costs $395.
The Tiguan feels like you get a lot of crossover for not a lot of money. The SEL R-Line is the top of the lineup, but there aren’t many of the must-have features that separate it from the lesser trims. There’s a small screen on the lower grades and smaller wheels, but VW ensured the entire range has many must-have features.
The brand’s IQ Drive suite of safety technology is standard across the range alongside creature comforts like cooled 15-watt wireless charging, heated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, two-zone climate control, VW’s 12.9-inch MIB4 infotainment display, 10 airbags—including a center airbag between the front seats—and more.
This all comes on the entry-level 2025 Tiguan, which is only $615 more expensive than the 2024, starting at $30,920. The SEL R-Line is $10,000 more but adds a level of attainable luxury that makes the Tiguan nicer than its MSRP suggests.
Competitors
FAQs
How Much Does the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Cost?
The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan S starts at $30,920. The Tiguan SE has a $34,420 starting price, and the SE R-Line Black costs $36,880. The top-tier SEL R-Line has a $41,180 MSRP.
What’s New on the 2025 Tiguan?
The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan has a revamped cabin with big screens, an elegant exterior design, and standard technology like heated seats, two-zone climate control, wireless charging, heated front seats, and more.
Does the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Have a Third Row?
No. Volkswagen has removed the third-row option from the 2025 Tiguan, citing customer feedback and demand.
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line
