2023 VW Tiguan: Next-Gen VW Tiguan Mid-Size Sporty SUV Review

Posted on

2023 VW Tiguan is one of the most popular Mid-Size Sporty SUVs in the automotive market, and it is the dream of many users because this SUV is designed to be sleek and smart with everything you want with 4MOTION all-wheel drive. Among all compact crossovers, the Volkswagen Tiguan 2023 is the only one that offers a distinctive European flavor with sharp handling and elegantly designed styling.

Equipped with a choice of engines is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is smooth and performs adequately while delivering fuel efficiency. The 2023 VW Tiguan also features a number of technology features included in every model including a digital gauge display, contemporary infotainment connectivity, and driver assistance features.

Inside the cabin of the 2023 VW Tiguan is neatly laid out and spacious for people and cargo. A third row of seats is available as an option and the Tiguan Sporty model is fun to drive.

2023 VW Tiguan Review

The arrival of the 2023 VW Tiguan is a very good chance for the next generation. Changes also see the SE R-Line Black trim getting a new 19-inch wheel design and the Tiguan’s USB-C port has been upgraded for 45W charging.

2023 VW Tiguan New

The Tiguan’s styling looks sharp and is one of the few small SUVs to offer a third row of seats. The 2023 Tiguan also has a comfortable ride and excellent outward visibility plus some annoying controls to use.

The 2023 VW Tiguan is a small crossover with comfort, space, and standout styling reminiscent of the larger Volkswagen Atlas and even the Audi which arguably requires more budget. The 2023 VW Tiguan comes with a pretty nice interior, especially on the top-trim version which has genuine leather upholstery, contrast color stitching, and a sharp digital instrument panel.

The good driving feel is pleasant and there is also ample passenger space.

  • Smooth and quiet ride
  • Impressive driver assistance technology
  • Roomy interior and cargo area
  • One of the few small SUVs to offer a third row of seats
  • Some features may not be available on the trim you choose due to the ongoing microchip shortage

2023 VW Tiguan Refresh

The 2023 VW Tiguan has received a major refresh, the Tiguan crossover returns for 2023 with the same four trim levels but new 19-inch wheels on the SE R-Line Black model.

The Tiguan has the unique distinction of being larger than most compact SUVs but smaller than almost all conventional three-row models and the Tiguan is Volkswagen’s best-seller.

2023 VW Tiguan Redesign

The redesigned 2023 Tiguan offers accurate and linear steering, good body control as well as sufficient handling ability for the compact crossover’s intended purpose.

Visibility is good from the driver’s seat and the Tiguan is well-equipped although the interior lacks distinctiveness. Like some other VWs, that annoying touch capacitive interface is here too. That said, the SUV is a good everyday conveyance.

2023 VW Tiguan Specs

  • Body style: SUV
  • Bore: 3.2″
  • Cargo volume: 12 to 37.6 ft³, 65.3 to 73.4 ft³ with seat area
  • Compression ratio: 11.65
  • Engine cylinder configuration: Straight engine
  • Dimensions: 186″ L x 72″ W x 66-67″ H

READ NEXT: 2024 VW Atlas: Next-Gen Volkswagen Atlas Redesign Preview

2023 VW Tiguan Interior

In the 2023 VW Tiguan, the simply styled and functional interior offers more legroom in the second row. However, the Tiguan is the only vehicle in its class that can be had with seating for seven.

The Tiguan comes standard with cloth seating and partial power adjustment for the front seats. Opting into a more expensive version can net full power adjustment for the driver with leatherette seating and a panoramic sunroof.

The 2023 Tiguan features just 12 cubic feet of cargo space behind the available third row. With the third row folded down, the Tiguan’s cargo size puts it in the middle of this class for empty space.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The 2023 VW Tiguan’s infotainment system looks sleek but features touch-sensitive controls that integrate the system that comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Thus drivers who prefer the familiar interface of their smartphones are also equipped with a Wi-Fi hotspot.

A 480-watt nine-speaker Fender audio system is available for audiophiles, but only in the top trim. All models are equipped with an 8.0- or 10.3-inch digital gauge display that can be reconfigured to display various information.

2023 VW Tiguan Exterior

LED exterior lighting comes standard in the Tiguan 2023 lineup. So the compact SUV looks current, yet still impressive.

Except maybe for those trapezoidal exhaust outlets, but they’re fake. The exhaust is actually hidden behind the rear fascia. It’s a cheap trait that doesn’t seem appropriate at Volkswagen.

The new design for the 19-inch alloy wheels of the SE R-Line Black model is one of the minor changes for 2023. They are still finished in black, of course. The top SE R-Line version has 20-inch alloys.

2023 VW Tiguan Color

This year’s paint choices are Atlantic Blue Metallic, Deep Black Pearl, Platinum Gray Metallic, Pyrite Silver Metallic, Pure White, Opal White Pearl and Kings Red.

A powered liftgate comes standard in the one-up-from-the-bottom SE trim. It is quite heavy without it. Hands-free operation is part of the top trims.

2023 VW Tiguan Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The 2023 VW Tiguan is equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 184 horsepower front-wheel drive is standard but the Volkswagen 4Motion all-wheel drive system is optional.

2023 VW Tiguan New

The 2023 VW Tiguan is literally an athletic and fun-loving SUV with a smooth and powerful engine and a well-coordinated automatic transmission.

The 2023 Tiguan is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that produces 184 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. Expect the front- and all-wheel drive powertrains to utilize the same eight-speed automatic starting in 2022 as well.

The Tiguan’s brake pedal action is soft and doesn’t match the progressive and firm pedal we enjoy in other members of the VW family tree. On our test track, the Tiguan produced a rather sluggish 9.1-second zero to 60 mph time.

2023 VW Tiguan MPG

The 2023 Tiguan EPA estimates front-wheel drive models will be the most frugal of course with city ratings up to 24 mpg and highway 31 mpg. All-wheel drive drops those figures to 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.

The top-spec SEL R-Line brings lower ratings of 1 mpg in both metrics. When we got the chance to test the Tiguan on a 75 mph highway fuel economy test.

Model

Volkswagen offers the 2023 Tiguan SUV in four trim levels: S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line. All have a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (184 horsepower, 221 lb-ft of torque) and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Front-wheel drive is standard with the S, SE, and SE R-Line Black trims. All-wheel drive is optional for this version of the Tiguan and eliminates the third row.

S

The base trim equips the Tiguan with the following standard features:

  • 17-inch alloy wheels
  • LED headlights
  • Heated side mirrors
  • Hill descent control (AWD models only)
  • Roof rails
  • Heated windshield washer-jet nozzles
  • Keyless entry with start button
  • Heated and height-adjustable front seats
  • Fabric upholstery
  • Rear seat air conditioning vents
  • Digital instrumentation with an 8-inch screen
  • 6.5-inch center touchscreen infotainment system
  • Two USB ports
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Six-speaker sound system
  • VW’s Car-Net connected services including Wi-Fi access (requires registration and/or subscription)

Standard safety equipment in every Tiguan includes:

  • Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and brakes in certain scenarios)
  • Blind spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or when reversing)

S

Tiguan S buyers can upgrade safety technology with the IQ. Drive Convenience package:

  • Rain-sensing wipers
  • Auto-dimming interior rearview mirror
  • Faux leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the Tiguan and the car in front)
  • Lane-keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help the vehicle stay centered in its lane)
  • Blind spot intervention (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while the car is in the vehicle’s blind spot)
  • Emergency assistance (with adaptive cruise control and active lane-keeping system, can detect an unresponsive driver and bring the Tiguan to a safe stop)

SE

The Tiguan SE includes the contents of the IQ. Drive & S Convenience package and adds the following features:

  • 18-inch alloy wheels
  • Electric elevator doors
  • Remote engine start
  • Auto-dimming rearview mirror
  • Synthetic and perforated leather seating surfaces
  • Power-adjustable driver’s seat
  • Lumbar adjustment for the front passenger seat
  • Touch-sensor dual-zone automatic climate control
  • Upgraded infotainment system with 8-inch touchscreen and voice control
  • Bluetooth support for multiple devices
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
  • The wireless smartphone charging pad
  • Rear USB port

A panoramic sunroof is available as a stand-alone option.

READ NEXT: 2024 VW ID Buzz: The Exclusive ID.Buzz Reviews, Pricing, and Specs

SE R-Line Black

This trim encompasses the sporty R-Line styling and comes with the following add-ons:

  • Black exterior and interior trim
  • 19-inch black wheels
  • Ambient interior lighting
  • Panoramic sunroof
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • Capacitive touch buttons on the steering wheel
  • Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front or behind the vehicle when parking)

SEL R-Line

The best Tiguan SEL R-Line includes:

  • All-wheel drive
  • Hill descent control (controls vehicle speed on steep downhill surfaces)
  • 20-inch alloy wheels
  • Light bar integrated into the grille
  • Additional chrome exterior trim
  • Adaptive headlights (rotate as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in corners)
  • Electrically folding rearview mirror
  • Hands-free liftgate
  • Cargo cover
  • Ventilated front seats
  • Leather sport seats
  • Driver’s seat memory settings
  • Power-adjustable front passenger seat
  • Heated steering wheel
  • 10.25-inch digital instrument display
  • Integrated navigation system
  • Premium fender sound system
  • 360-degree surround-view camera (gives you a top-down view of the Tiguan and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
  • Automatic parking system (steers into parking spaces with little or no driver intervention)

Safety Ratings and Features

The 2023 VW Tiguan earns Good ratings in all IIHS crashworthiness evaluations, as well as high marks for its crash avoidance and mitigation systems.

For active safety features, the base S model starts with automatic emergency braking and rear traffic and blind spot monitoring, and the SE model just above it adds adaptive cruise control and a lane-keeping system.

Standard parking sensors come on the SE R-Line Black, and the mother of technology is on the top model SEL R-Line, which gets a semiautonomous parking assistant, adaptive high beams, traffic sign recognition, and a 360-degree blind-spot viewing camera system.

Favorite Features

1. Digital Cockpit
Adding to the classy cabin of the 2023 Tiguan, every 2023 Tiguan SUV features a digital driver information display. The first three trims have a simpler 8-inch version, while the top level features a highly configurable 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro.

2. VW Car-Net owners
owners can connect with their 2023 Tiguan using a smartphone app. Services include remote locking/unlocking, automatic breakdown notifications, location of stolen vehicles, and things like how much fuel is in the tank.

3. IQ.Drive
This is the name of the additional driver assistance features that are optional on the base S and standard across the rest of the range. It includes features such as adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and active blind spot monitoring.

4. Ambient LED lighting
The top two trims feature more of a luxury car look with a choice of 15 colors for this ambient cabin lighting system.

5. All-wheel drive
VW uses the term 4Motion for its all-wheel drive system. Like the front-drive Tiguan, there are Normal, Sport, and Eco driving modes. But 4Motion adds Snow and Offroad modes.

6. Park Assist
Exclusive to the top SEL R-Line version, it takes the pressure off when handling parallel and perpendicular parking spaces by handling the steering and transmission. The driver only runs the gas and brake pedals, but there is also slow-speed emergency braking.

2023 VW Tiguan New

2023 VW Tiguan Price

The 2023 VW Tiguan will come with several types of variants with the mid-range SE trim adding 18-inch wheels. A power-operated rear liftgate, lane-keeping assist, and a new semi-autonomous driving mode.

A panoramic sunroof is a $1,200 option on the SE and may be worth the upgrade for buyers who like to catch the sun while driving.

  • S $28,245
  • SE $31,875
  • SE R-Line Black $34,605
  • SEL R-Line $38,975

People also ask VW Tiguan 2023

Q: Is Volkswagen discontinuing the Tiguan?
A: The next-generation Tiguan has been spied on once again ahead of its expected 2023 release. Volkswagen has been testing its latest Tiguan model for a while and our latest spy images suggest the final production car is not too far away.

Q: What is the mpg for a 2023 Tiguan R Line?
A: The EPA estimates front-wheel drive models will be the most frugal, with city ratings of up to 24 mpg and highway 31 mpg. All-wheel drive drops those numbers to 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.

Q: What is the 0 60 time of a 2023 VW Tiguan?
A: The Tiguan is front-wheel drive and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 8.9 seconds, which is average for a three-row small SUV.