Meet the new, more high-tech Volkswagen Tiguan SUV.
It’ll be here late in 2024 or early in 2025, with petrol engines under the bonnet… but no plug-in hybrid and, at this stage, no mention of a diesel.
Volkswagen says the plug-in was initially on the radar, but Australia’s market has moved quickly past desire for that powertrain type.
“We were interested in PHEV and we were having discussions around PHEV but we also have to move with the market, and I think the market as you’ve seen has moved quite rapidly,” said Volkswagen Group Australia product and PR communications manager Daniel DeGasperi.
The new Tiguan features a design that borrows from the electric ID.4 SUV and new Passat wagon, and features more curves than the current model.
Inside, there’s a free-standing central touchscreen measuring up to 15 inches diagonally, while a rotary knob called the Driving Experience Switch can be used to control the drive mode, stereo volume, and ambient lighting.
There are new menu structures and graphics on the infotainment system and digital driver display, and a proper head-up display that projects onto the windscreen (not a pop-up glass screen) will be offered.
Volkswagen says it’s over-the-air software update compatible, and eagle-eyed viewers will notice the touch sliders are now backlit, and the air-conditioning controls remain permanently on the screen.
The gear selector has been moved up near the instrument cluster to free up more space on the transmission tunnel.
Luggage space has improved by 33 litres to 648 litres with the rear seats in place, while despite curvier styling the company says it has improved headroom by 10mm in both the front and rear seats.
Measuring 4551mm long, 1939mm wide, and riding on a 2681mm wheelbase, the third-generation Tiguan is 32mm longer than today’s SWB model, but shares that car’s width and wheelbase. Wheels up to 20 inches will be offered.
Under the skin, the Tiguan rides on the MQB Evo architecture underpinning vehicles like the Golf and Skoda Octavia, and will be offered with a selection of diesel, petrol, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid drivetrains, depending on the market.
In Europe, the two petrol-only engine options are 2.0-litre units making 150kW and 195kW.
The current Tiguan range features petrol engines offering between 110kW and 162kW of power, along with a range-topping R making 235kW.
