2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

You all may know about the Touareg, the VW SUV aimed to compete with the Mercedes and Audi. After the success of the car, VW gave the same treatment to a cheaper SUV looking set to compete with the lower rung of SUVs, with the likes of the Mazda CX-5, the Honda CR-V and the Ford Escape S. 

Some of the Tiguan's strength includes a quiet and comfortable ride, plush interior, and a user-friendly infotainment system. Still, it has its share of flaws. Its engine feels sluggish at highway speed and also gets mediocre fuel economy. VW has priced the Tiguan at $24,945 (FWD) for the base which does not seems to help the cause as rivals like the Honda CR V offers a lot more at the same price.

There are five trims to choose from in the new 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan: S, SE, SE R-Line Black trim, SEL, and SEL Premium. All the trims are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Each Tiguan also offers three-row of seating and front-wheel drive; however, all-wheel drive can be added to any trim for an additional cost of $1,500. Meanwhile, the AWD models only come standard with two rows, but a third row can be added to these models for an additional cost of $500.

We Recommend

The base VW Tiguan S makes for a great option with three-row seating, optional all-wheel drive, rearview camera and roof rails for weekend adventurers. Still, if you can stretch your budget then consider going for the SE which is a smart buy. It gets all the features of S trim and adds keyless entry and ignition, leather upholstery, heated front seat along with a large touchscreen. The Volkswagen SE and the SEL Premium adds some more features but the 2020 Volkswagen SE has enough to meet all the needs.

The 2020 VW Tiguan gets a sole turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 184 horsepower and 221-pound-feet of torque. It is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to both the front wheels or the optional all wheels which feels smooth but sometimes hesitates to shift quickly. The engine meanwhile has enough gusto to move the SUV effortlessly at city speed but it feels underpowered at highway speed.

All the rivals are somewhat different in this regard with the Mazda and the Subaru offering a 2.5-liter engine with distinctive power generations, while the Honda has a 1.5-liter engine with a CVT transmission that produces decent torque. However, the VW is at a different level in this regard.

Acceleration

The Tiguan 2020 with the sluggish turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine makes it to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds. The car does feel sluggish before the 1600rpm range, but once the revs start to climb up this engine is a gem that likes to be revved. Another major downside of lower acceleration numbers is the weight of the Tiguan, which is 3721lbs. Even though being the heaviest car of the lot it still manages to perform at a respectable number. 

These numbers are unimpressive considering the similarly priced Honda CR V which is a second faster than the VW Tiguan.  The CR V is not just better than the Tiguan but it beats every other competitor in the segment and is one of the highest-ranking compact SUVs in its class.

Ride and Handling

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan comes standard with front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel-drive which fares better in wet conditions and on uneven pavements. Even though not much has been changed from last year's model. Tiguan for 2020 prioritise comfort over sportiness. As a result, it delivers a smooth and cushioned ride but there is plenty of body roll around corners and the steering feels aloof at times.

As the case with all Volkswagen, this is where the car is a treat to drive. The highway drive is especially a worthy mention as it is a different experience altogether. The car is agile around the corners too and makes the Driver very comfortable especially while driving at high speeds on the highway. Volkswagen has tuned the suspension on the firm side for better handling. The all-wheel-drive on the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan makes for 7.9 inches of ground clearance which is ample height to handle some off-roading trails. The AWD variants also get hill descent control and customizable off-road mode.

Braking

Brakes meanwhile are not the best in the segment as the Tiguan stops from 60 to 0 in 124 feet. Still, the brake pedal provides enough confidence to push this SUV, stopping flawlessly in all conditions. With a few advance techs on offer like auto emergency braking and 4 wheel ABS, the Tiguan feels under control and predictable while increasing braking capacities.

 The 2020 Honda CR-V with its rugged construction boasts the strongest brakes in the segment while the 2020 Mazda CX-5 has the worst braking capacity. The Tiguan manages to be somewhere in between the rivals when compared for braking capabilities. 

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan is the least fuel-efficient SUV in its class. Although it manages to put segment-leading torque figures along with competitive power figures. It manages 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined with the front-wheel-drive. While the all-wheel-drive versions are rated at 21/27/23 mpg.

The Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester manage much better mileage as all of them check-in at 28 mpg combined.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan offers a wide range of adjustments in the drivers and the front passenger seat. Seats offer a good amount of cushioning and remain supportive on an hourlong drive.

The Tiguan seats seven people in the three-row model and five in two-row models. There is ample legroom in the first and the second row to accommodate even the tallest of the passenger but the third row is too tight for adults and is only good enough to accommodate kids. In fact, the third row is smaller than every other three-row SUVs. 

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan features a good amount of headroom and shoulder room for the first two rows of seats. things change when talked about the third row. Accommodating 5 people are what the Tiguan is good for. It provides heated and cooled seating as well.  

Infotainment System

The optional 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system is easy to use and has clear graphics. The screen feels intuitive and easy to navigate. There are also physical buttons available on the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan which are within reach and helps minimize the use of a touchscreen. One of the major highlights of the VW Tiguan is the Digital Cockpit which replaces the traditional gauge cluster with a 12.3-inch screen that shows a variety of easily understandable vehicle data.

• Android Auto and Apple Car Play 
• 8”/6.5” Touchscreen Infotainment System with Navigation
• SiriusXM Radio and Travel Link with 3 Months Subscription
• VW Car-Net App-Connect with Voice Control
• FM/AM Radio connectivity and In-Car Wi-Fi
• Wireless Charging
• Car-Net Telematics
• USB Connectivity and Charging ports
• Bluetooth Telephony and Connectivity to Multiple devices
• VW Digital Cockpit

Interior Features

As discussed previously, the interiors of the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta's interiors are loaded with a ton of bells and whistles. Here are a few notable features of the interiors

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Blind Spot Monitoring System
• Auto-Dimming Inside Rear View Mirror
• Overhead View camera and Rear View Camera
• Power Adjustable Driver Seats with Memory Function
• Ambient Lighting
• Heated Leather Front Seats
• Keyless Access with Push Button Start
• Dual Zone Climate Control
• Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
• 40/20/40 Split 2^nd Row Seats

Cargo Space

2020 Tiguan’s cargo capacity depends upon whether it is a two-row or three rows. The three-row Tiguan has average cargo space for a compact SUV while the two-row has more cargo space than most but the Honda CR V. The CR V offers best in class cargo space with 76.0 cubic feet behind the second row.

The Tiguan meanwhile offers 12.0 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 33.0 cubic feet with the third row folded and a maximum of 67.7 cubic feet. The two-row VW Tiguan checks in at 37.6 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 73.5 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan is the second-longest compact SUV in the segment and the sharp creases add a taut and fresh look. Tiguan’s front profile copy/pastes the horizontal grille, bumpers and lower fascia from the Atlas. While the complex LED taillights gives the Tiguan’s rear semi-premium feel. The SEL and SEL Premium provides a richer look with LED headlight and LED daytime running lights, while the R line package gives a sportier look with larger wheels.

With minimal to none panel gaps in the design, the Tiguan can be one of the best-built SUVs in the segment. The Tiguan does not look smallest in the Class and appears to be a big SUV, all courtesy of its sheer size.

Exterior Features

There are a lot of features on the exteriors of the Tiguan that will surely grab the eyeballs of onlookers. Some of the most notable features include

• Adaptive Front Lighting System
• Panoramic Sunroof
• 20” Alloy Wheels
• Heated Wiper Park
• R-Line Front Bumper on R-Line models
• Hands-Free open and Close Tailgate
• Heated Wind Shield Nozzles
• Park Distance Control
• 4 Wheel Independent Suspension
• Rain Sensing Wipers
• Heated Side Mirrors with Memory
• Automatic LED Headlamps and Tail Lamps
• Fog Lamps with corner illuminating features

The top agency has yet not crash-tested the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan but the IIHS has rated it as a “Top Safety Pick”. According to IIHS the SUV has earned a “Good” rating in each crash test but it gets a “marginal” score for its subpar headlights.

In terms of reliability, VW has covered the Tiguan with a six-year/ 72,000-mile limited warranty.

Some of those features include

• ABS with ESC and Anti Slip Regulation
• Electronic Differential Locking and Engine Brake Assist
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Front and Side Assistance
• Rear Traffic Alert
• Rear Park Distance Control
• Intelligent Crash Response System
• Side Curtain, Front, and Thorax Airbags
• Seatbelts with Pre Tensioners and Load Limiters

Safety features

All the Tiguan’s model gets a rearview camera as standard along with VW’s post-collision braking system that holds the brakes after impact. VW has also made available forward collision warning with the automatic emergency braking system on all models. Blind-spot monitors are also available for every trim while a surround-view camera system and active lane control are available for top trims.

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR)
• Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) 
• Engine Brake Assist (EBA)
• Driver and front passenger front and side airbag supplemental restraint systems
• Side Curtain Protection head airbags
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) child seat anchor points
• 3-point safety belts for all seating positions
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Volkswagen Tiguan vs Honda CR-V

There is no point denying the fact that the Honda CR V is one of the top-ranked compact SUVs in the segment. It boasts a user-friendly infotainment system and best in class cargo capacity. The CR-V also has a plush cabin that offers two rows of seating and has enough space to accommodate adults. It is also more fuel-efficient than the VW Tiguan. The best thing about CR V is that you get all this at a fairly affordable price making it an obvious choice.

Volkswagen Tiguan vs Mazda CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 offers quick acceleration and a fuel-efficient engine. It also boasts one of the sharpest handlings in the class. Mazda’s plush cabin and comfy two rows of seating scores high as compared to rivals. Still, Mazda has some flaws, its infotainment system is not as intuitive as the Tiguan and also has less cargo space than the VW.

Volkswagen Tiguan vs Chevrolet Equinox

The Chevrolet Equinox has gone under the blade for the 2018 model year and equals the VW Tiguan when pitted against each other. Equinox, however, has a better fuel economy and more legroom in the second row. The Tiguan, on the other hand, has more cargo space and it seats seven as compared to five in the Tiguan. Choosing between the two depends upon what feature you want in your car.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan is a decent compact SUV for families. It comes with two or three rows of seating. The two-row Tiguan has more space inside and in cargo area while the three-row brings down the cargo space. It is a good buy but not a smart buy as most in the competition offer similar features at a much lower cost than the German automaker. But, if you are looking for an SUV with superb handling, then there is nothing better than the Tiguan.