There’s a new Volkswagen Tiguan, but it’s not going to be here until late in 2024 or early in 2025.
The good news is the current one isn’t going anywhere just yet. Volkswagen Australia has confirmed 1400 examples of the 2023 Tiguan range are rolling into local dealerships, the majority of which are the most in-demand R and 162TSI.
Volkswagen says there are 300 examples of the 132TSI, 450 examples of the 162TSI R-Line, and 650 examples of the Tiguan R arriving in showrooms.
Supply of the base Tiguan 110TSI remains strong, as orders were never paused.
Orders for the 132TSI, 147TDI, and 162TSI were closed in February 2023 on the back of tight supply from the factory in Wolfsburg, Germany.
The 147TDI – the only diesel option in the range – won’t be returning for 2024.
Volkswagen has confirmed the 2023 cars don’t feature blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic assist, a power tailgate, or a proactive occupant protection system.
Those features are returning on the 2024 Tiguan range, set to start arriving late this year or early in 2024. Pricing for the updated line-up hasn’t been confirmed.
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Tiguan 162TSI R-Line
As for the new Tiguan revealed overnight? It’s not going to be here until late in 2024 at the soonest, and will be powered by petrol engines exclusively.
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.
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Next-gen Tiguan
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.
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