Third-Gen Volkswagen Tiguan Arrives With New Look & PHEV Option

After several spy shots and camo-draped teaser prototypes, the all-new Volkswagen Tiguan SUV has finally made its global debut today. Arriving as the third iteration of the marque’s current best-selling model, the new Tiguan features less boxy design compared to its predecessor, while hosting a slew of re-engineered mechanical bits.

The third-gen Tiguan SUV features a curvier and more rounded look than its predecessor

Starting off with the most obvious change, the new Tiguan now boasts a curvier, more rounded body style compared to its boxy predecessor, featuring a slew of design elements derived from the ID models. Mind you, all these sporty curves and cleaner lines are not here for styling per se, as VW claims that the new Tiguan design grants it with a better drag coefficient rate of 0.28 compared to the previous gen’s 0.33 CD figure.

Key exterior styling bits include the new IQ.Light HD matrix LED headlights with horizontal glass strip, LED taillights with full-width light bar and stunning lighting signature, prominent front and rear bumper design, flared out wheel arches, as well as stylish wheel options of up to 20-inch in size.

Thanks to its bulkier build, the new Tiguan gains extra cargo and cabin space

Underpinning the same MQB-Evo platform as the new Passat wagon, the third-gen Tiguan now measures 30 MM longer than its predecessor at 4,539 MM, while the wheelbase remains the same as before, measuring 2,680 MM. In return, this bulk-up grants the new Tiguan with a bigger boot space of 652-litre, which is 37-litre bigger than previous-gen model.

The upgrades are more impressive as we step inside the new Tiguan’s cabin, as it comes with newly-designed front dash featuring illuminated trims, slimmer air vents, as well as a massive central infotainment screen measuring 12.9-inch as standard or 15-inch in higher variants. Said display is paired with a smaller 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster that hides beneath its sporty steering wheel, which now features physical buttons instead of the finicky touch-sensitive ones we saw on prior VW models.

Moving to the central console, it now hosts a new rotary-style controller that is used to select the driving modes, adjust the media volume level, as well as the cabin’s ambient lighting system. To make space for this new rotary dial, the gear lever has been redesigned to a stalk style, which is mounted behind the steering wheel.

The baseline third-gen Tiguan model will get a mild-hybrid (MHEV) powertrain setup

As for the powertrain specs, the new Tiguan will be offered with an updated powertrain lineup consisting of a new and improved plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant, with all of them mated to an automatic dual-clutch transmission (DCT). For starters, the baseline Tiguan eTSI variants get a 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbocharged petrol mild-hybrid setup (MHEV) developing either 129 HP or 148 HP, with all the power sent to its front wheels (FWD).

Meanwhile, the sole non-electrified powertrain option now comes in the form of a 2.0-litre 4-cyl TSI petrol mill that outputs either 201 HP and 261 HP. Said mill is mated to the VW’s signature 4Motion all-wheel drive (AWD) setup.

Moving on to the new PHEV model, this powertrain setup employs the same 1.5-litre mill from the eTSI model, which is now mated to a more powerful hybrid electric motor. In spite of this, the two PHEV variants still get the same output as its predecessors, at 201 HP and 268 HP respectively.

Juiced by a bigger 19.7-kWh battery pack, the new Tiguan boasts a higher EV only range of 100 KM. Charging them up should be no issue, as the new battery pack now supports DC fast charging at up to 50 kW rate. However, VW has yet to reveal the estimated charging time for this PHEV SUV.

Aside from underpinning the new platform, the new Tiguan also gets an upgraded suspension system with new dampers and revised anti-roll bars, featuring a MacPherson strut setup for the front axle, while the rear gets a new independent multi-link setup instead.

The all-new Volkswagen Tiguan Mk3 is slated to make its market entry in the European markets later in 2024, with prices said to start from €35,000 (RM175,593). As for now, the new Tiguan will arrive in a single, five-seater variant, with the three-row Allspace version set to be replaced by an entirely new model.