In a world where SUVs dominate every car park, few names are as familiar as the Volkswagen Tiguan. Volkswagen has introduced the third generation, a car that carefully updates the formula rather than rewriting it. Bigger, cleaner and more digital than before, the latest Tiguan promises to deliver what its predecessors did best: space, comfort, and quiet competence. On paper, it succeeds. But in a class now filled with sharper, more distinctive rivals, the question remains whether the Tiguan’s understated refinement is still enough to stand out. Continuing our series of car interior reviews, we take a closer look.
Design and build
At first glance, you might struggle to tell this is an all-new Tiguan. Volkswagen has opted for evolution rather than revolution, with smoother surfacing, a larger front grille, and slim LED headlights that echo the brand’s ID electric models. The proportions are subtly changed — 30mm longer, 4mm taller, and fractionally wider — giving it a more planted stance without losing the tidy footprint that makes it easy to live within the city.
The design language is conservative but cohesive. There are hints of sportiness in R-Line trim, with 20-inch alloys and gloss-black trim, though even the base Life model looks smartly restrained. Where some rivals aim for flair, the Tiguan aims for familiarity. For many buyers, that’s part of the appeal.
Inside, the story is similar. Volkswagen’s cabins have long been benchmarks for solidity and ergonomics, and while this latest version adopts a more minimalist look, it retains the air of precision engineering that owners expect. Soft-touch plastics, neatly knurled controls, and consistent panel gaps make it feel closer to Audi territory than mainstream rivals. The materials do not dazzle, but they reassure — a hallmark of the brand.
Interior and technology
Step inside, and you’re met by a thoroughly digital cabin. A 12.9-inch central touchscreen dominates the dashboard (rising to 15 inches with the optional infotainment pack plus), paired with a 10.3-inch digital driver display. Both are crisp, bright and highly configurable. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the system supports over-the-air updates to keep things current.
Volkswagen has worked hard to fix past software frustrations, and for the most part, it’s succeeded. The menus are logically laid out, graphics are modern, and responses are quick. However, touch-sensitive sliders for climate and volume controls remain divisive. They’re now backlit — a welcome improvement over the Golf Mk8’s early missteps — but still less intuitive than the physical dials many drivers miss.
Voice control is handled by VW’s digital assistant, now enhanced with ChatGPT integration. It can change cabin settings, adjust navigation, or answer general queries. When it works, it’s impressive; when it doesn’t, it can be frustratingly inconsistent. Still, it represents one of the more advanced AI integrations currently found in a family SUV.
Overall, the Tiguan’s interior feels both premium and practical. Build quality is strong, materials feel substantial, and visibility is excellent thanks to large windows and a commanding driving position. Ambient lighting (standard on mid-range trims) gives it a subtly upmarket atmosphere, with 30 color choices to suit different moods.
[Source: Volkswagen]
Comfort and practicality
Space and comfort have always been the Tiguan’s strongest suits, and this new version continues that tradition. The cabin feels airy and well-proportioned, with excellent seating comfort in both rows. Front seats are highly adjustable and supportive, with available heating, ventilation, and even massage functions on upper trims. The R-Line’s seats are sportier but remain comfortable on long trips.
[Source: Volkswagen]
Rear passengers are equally well served. The sliding and reclining bench allows families to balance legroom and boot space, while the tall roofline ensures plenty of headroom even for adults. Three passengers can sit across the back without feeling cramped, and there are thoughtful details such as rear USB-C ports, air vents and storage pockets.
[Source: Volkswagen]
The trunk is among the largest in the class. Conventional petrol and diesel models offer 652 litres of cargo space, beating the likes of the Nissan Qashqai and matching the Kia Sportage. Even the plug-in hybrids, which house their batteries under the floor, still offer a respectable 490 liters. The load bay is wide and square, with a two-level floor and remote levers for folding the seats. Fold them flat and you get up to 1,650 litres — enough for bicycles or bulky gear.
[Source: Volkswagen]
It is this versatility that makes the Tiguan such an effective family car. Everything feels designed for ease of use, from the low loading lip to the optional hands-free tailgate. It may not shout “innovation,” but it delivers the kind of thoughtful practicality that wins owners over for years.
Trim levels and pricing
The Tiguan range starts with the Life trim, and tops out with the Black Edition. Even the entry-level model includes LED headlights, a reversing camera, keyless start and dual-zone climate control. The Match trim adds useful upgrades such as a power tailgate and privacy glass and is widely regarded as the sweet spot in the range. Above that, Elegance and R-Line bring luxury and sportier styling respectively, while the Black Edition bundles in advanced driver aids and matrix LED lights.
[Source: Volkswagen]
Steady, not showy
The Tiguan does not aim to surprise, and that is precisely why it works. It builds on the strengths that made its predecessors so popular — comfort, space and all-round capability — while bringing its technology and efficiency firmly up-to-date.
It’s not the most exciting SUV to drive, nor the best value, and its software still is not flawless. Yet it delivers where it counts: in day-to-day usability, refinement and versatility. For many families, that’s all that matters.
In short, the new Tiguan remains the default choice for those who want one car to do everything. It may be unflashy, but it is deeply competent — and in today’s crowded SUV market, that still makes it one of the most complete options available.
