FAST FACTS
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan
Starts at $29,495
Rank
- #6 in Compact SUVs
Pros
- Lighter and more powerful than its predecessor
- Upscale interior vibe with tech features galore
Cons
- No more third-row seat
- Adding 4Motion AWD takes a big bite out of fuel economy
What's New for 2025?
The redesigned 2025 Tiguan loses its formerly available third-row seat while gaining 17 horsepower and shedding about 170 pounds. We're cautiously optimistic that it will mark a return to the sportier, more upscale two-row Tiguan we found so endearing in the early to mid-2010s. The tech-tastic interior offers touchscreens measuring from 12.9 to 15 inches and up to 30 — thirty! — selectable ambient colors.
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Review
by Josh Sadlier
published Dec 24, 2024 | updated May 27, 2025
Is the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan a Good SUV?
"Redesigned for 2025, the latest Tiguan loses the formerly optional third-row seat but gains 17 horsepower for a total of 201, a healthy amount for this segment. The emphasis this time around is squarely on technology, as evidenced by the standard 12.9-inch touchscreen and optional 15-inch unit. You can see that VW's trying to get back to the more premium and personal character of the original Tiguan, distancing the new model from its more value-oriented predecessor with that vestigial third row. At their best, modern VWs have looked and felt like more affordable Audis, and the latest Tiguan marks a promising return to that philosophy, delivering an upscale vibe that stands out in this class."—Ranked #6 out of 15 Compact SUVs
Which 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Should I Buy?
MotorDonkey's proprietary vehicle data identifies every significant version of each model so that you can compare and decide. Ordered by price from low to high, here are the versions of the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan that you need to be aware of, along with our expert analysis and recommendations.
1. 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0T Front-Wheel Drive
- Base Price: $29,495
- MPG Combined: 29
- Drive Type: Front-wheel drive
- Engine: 2.0-liter inline-4
- Aspiration: Turbocharged
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Horsepower: 201
- Torque: 221 lb-ft
- Length: 184.4 in
- Towing Capacity: 1,500 lbs
The new-generation 2025 Tiguan makes more power, which is much needed, and it also weighs about 170 pounds less than the equivalent version of the outgoing generation. The third-row seat is gone, for better or worse, while the new cabin doubles down on tech with high-resolution central touchscreens ranging from 12.9 to 15 inches. Underneath, the Tiguan switches to the EQB platform, which also happens to underpin one of our favorite cars on the market, the iconic GTI. Notably, the fuel economy figures cited here are for the base S trim, which uses 17-inch wheels. Most Tiguan buyers will step up to the SE or higher, which brings larger wheels and lower fuel economy into play — you're looking at 28 mpg combined (25 city/32 highway) for that crew.
2. 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0T All-Wheel Drive
- Base Price: $30,995
- MPG Combined: 25
- Drive Type: All-wheel drive
- Engine: 2.0-liter inline-4
- Aspiration: Turbocharged
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Horsepower: 201
- Torque: 221 lb-ft
- Length: 184.4 in
- Towing Capacity: 1,800 lbs
Adding 4Motion all-wheel drive to the 2025 Tiguan will run you $1,500, which is pretty reasonable as AWD fees go. You take a big hit on the fuel economy front, however, which surprises us — the Germans are usually pretty good at limiting the damage from additional driven wheels.

by Josh Sadlier
Publisher and Donkey-in-Chief
Josh has been reviewing cars professionally since joining Edmunds.com fresh out of grad school in 2008, personally driving most new cars on the market every year since. He also served as the project manager for Edmunds' expert vehicle rankings from their inception in 2018, building the product out from the back end to the front end. Josh is a card-carrying member of the Motor Press Guild and a lifelong car nut who has tested, compared and critiqued a ridiculous number of cars in his career.
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