2024 Volkswagen Tiguan

Which 2024 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 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan that you need to be aware of, along with our expert analysis and recommendations.

1. 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0T Front-Wheel Drive (3-Row)

• Base Price: $28,880
• MPG Combined: 27
• Drive Type: Front-wheel drive
• Engine: 2.0-liter inline-4
• Aspiration: Turbocharged
• Transmission: 8-speed automatic
• Horsepower: 184 
• Torque: 221 lb⁠-⁠ft
• Weight: 3,732 lbs
• Length: 186.1 in
• Towing Capacity: 1,500 lbs

The front-drive Tiguan is both the cheapest way into the Tiguan lineup and also the only way to get the third-row seat. Why? Because the optional all-wheel-drive system has extra running gear out back that makes it impossible for the third row to fit. So if you want the (tiny but still potentially useful) third row, you can't have AWD. In any case, our main issue with this Tiguan generation has always been its lack of power — VW has made many great 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines, but this particular one makes less power than usual and is asked to motivate a vehicle that's heavier than usual. We should add that the fuel economy data cited here is the best-case scenario that you get with the base S trim; stepping up to any of the higher trims knocks you down a peg to 26 mpg combined (23 city/30 highway).

2. 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0T All-Wheel Drive (2-Row)

• Base Price: $30,380
• MPG Combined: 25
• Drive Type: All-wheel drive
• Engine: 2.0-liter inline-4
• Aspiration: Turbocharged
• Transmission: 8-speed automatic
• Horsepower: 184 
• Torque: 221 lb⁠-⁠ft
• 0-60: 8.2 sec
• Weight: 3,818 lbs
• Length: 186.1 in
• Towing Capacity: 1,500 lbs

Adding all-wheel drive to the Tiguan gives you that extra sure-footedness on slippery surfaces, but it also kills the third-row seat that comes standard on the front-drive Tiguan. But we'll say it again: Our hangup with the current Tiguan generation, which is due for replacement next year, is the uncharacteristic lack of oomph from its 2.0T engine. We generally love VW's family of 2.0T engines and consider it one of the finest in the industry, but the Tiguan's specific 2.0T variant uses, per VW, "a modified version of the Miller cycle for improved combustion efficiency." We'll take their word for it, but that also results in a uniquely low output of 184 horsepower for a nearly two-ton vehicle, and there's the Tiguan's performance problem in a nutshell.