Next-Gen VW Tiguan Details Unveiled – Less Boxy Shape, New PHEV Powertrain

The Volkswagen Tiguan is due for a next-gen redux soon, as the current model is entering its seventh production year. Ahead of its global debut, Volkswagen has unveiled several new details on the next-gen Tiguan, which features less boxy shape, better tech, and upgraded powertrains.

Third-gen Volkswagen Tiguan SUV

Starting off with the mechanical bits, the next-gen Tiguan will underpin VW’s new MQB EVO architecture, which is essentially an upgraded version of the old Tiguan’s chassis. As for the powertrain lineup, it will include the mild-hybrid (MHEV) 1.5-litre eTSI petrol, a fully-ICE 2.0-litre TSI petrol, the 2.0 TDI diesel, plus two eHybrid plug-in hybrid (PHEV) options. 

All said powertrains will be mated to a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox, while several top variants will get optional DCC Pro adaptive dampers with up to 15 different levels of adjustment.

The two PHEV powertrains now get bigger battery packs with a capacity of 18.5-kWh. Aside from improving its all-electric range up to 100 KM, both PHEV variants of the new Tiguan will also support DC charging. As for the power, both variants will have a total system output of 201 HP and 268 HP respectively.

The new Tiguan slightly deviates away from its predecessor's boxy styling

Visually, the new Tiguan promises to elevate the style of this SUV. As shown by the official teaser images published by Volkswagen, we can clearly see the new Tiguan’s silhouette is much more rounded and curved compared to its boxy-tastic predecessor. 

With most parts of the car being wrapped in digital camouflage, the only visible part is the new Tiguan’s headlights and taillights, with both of them somewhat resembling the ones we saw on several VW ID models. The former is more prominent here, as the camo-wrapped Tiguan is seen to sport the IQ.Light-style full-width LED bar at the front.

Elsewhere, we can also partially see the car’s front grille design, with a pair of slim air intakes flanking them. The new model also gets several standard SUV touches, notably the functional roof rails and somewhat prominent wheel arches.

The new Tiguan also grew in size, offering better cabin and cargo room

As for the dimensions, this model previewed here is the standard wheelbase version of the Tiguan, not the three-row Allspace variant. Now measuring 4,551 MM long and 1,640 MM tall, the new Tiguan actually grew slightly in size compared to its predecessor, albeit both its width and wheelbase remain the same, measuring 1,939 MM and 2,681 MM respectively.

VW has greatly improved the new Tiguan cabin compared to its predecessor

Things are greatly improved on board the new Tiguan model, as it now comes with a wholly-new cockpit layout. Centrepiece of this new cabin design is the floating 15-inch infotainment display directly taken from the ID.7 EV, featuring illuminated control sliders and several menu shortcuts for easier navigation. This sizable screen is reportedly available for range-topping variants only, with the lower ones getting the smaller 12.9-inch screen instead.

Drivers will get a curved digital instrument cluster that hides behind the familiar-looking steering wheel. But more importantly, said steering wheel now comes with physical buttons instead of the highly-criticised touch-sensitive ones in the old model. The gear lever has also been moved to the side of the steering wheel, leaving space for the rotary-style infotainment control at the central console.

Thanks to the aforementioned bulk in size, the new Tiguan cabin is also roomier, offering 10 MM of extra headroom. Meanwhile, the new model also gets a bigger cargo space, measuring up to 648-litre.

The third-gen Volkswagen Tiguan SUV will make its market launch in Q1 2024, with the European market being the first one to get them. This will be the final generation of Tiguan to feature an ICE powertrain, as VW will go full electric with its next-gen iterations.