2021 Volkswagen Tiguan review
Volkswagen Tiguan highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Spacious first and second rows
- Optional third row
- Easy-to-use touchscreen
- Lots of cargo room
Cons
- Turbocharged engine is thirsty but not powerful
- Bumpy ride on trims with large wheels
- Slow-to-react transmission
Mileage (EPA estimate)
20 city, 27 highway, 23 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
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2021 Tiguan is Volkswagen's versatile small SUV
The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan is one of the only compact SUVs to seat up to seven passengers (with optional third-row). Even if you don't use the third row often, you'll be impressed by the Tiguan's ample passenger and cargo space. For 2021, all trims except the base S model are equipped with a new multimedia interface and 8-inch touchscreen.
All Volkswagen Tiguan years
What is new for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?
- Tiguan trims have been upgraded with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard equipment this year.
- The SE R-Line Black trim now comes with Automated Cruise Control and Panoramic Sunroof as standard equipment.
- The SE trim now comes with Automated Cruise Control as standard equipment.
- The S trim now comes with Parking Sensors as standard equipment.
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan trims
S:
- 184-hp, 221-lb-ft of torque 2.0L
- Rear View Camera
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Cloth Seats
- Power Mirrors
- Traction Control
- Fold-Away Third Row
- Cruise Control
- Side Airbags
- View our Volkswagen Tiguan S inventory
SE:
- Includes all features available on the S
- Power Seats
- Leatherette Seats
- Smart Key
- Automated Cruise Control
- Front Seat Heaters
- Satellite Radio Ready
- View our Volkswagen Tiguan SE inventory
SE R-Line Black:
- Includes all features available on the SE
- Panoramic Sunroof
- 20 Inch Plus Wheels
- View our Volkswagen Tiguan SE R-Line Black inventory
SEL:
- Includes all features available on the SE R-Line Black
- Lane Departure Warning
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Remote Start
- Power Hatch/Deck Lid
- Navigation System
- View our Volkswagen Tiguan SEL inventory
SEL Premium R-Line:
- Includes all features available on the SEL
- Leather Seats
- View our Volkswagen Tiguan SEL Premium R-Line inventory
Volkswagen Tiguan photos
5 reasons to buy the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan
1. Plenty of room for passengers
The Volkswagen Tiguan is one of the few compact SUVs that can seat up to seven people. Any 2021 Tiguan that has front-wheel drive—which is standard on all trims except the SEL Premium R-Line—comes with seven seats. Those with all-wheel drive—an option at every trim and standard on the SEL Premium R-Line—come standard with five seats. Even in all-wheel-drive Tiguans, however, the third row is an available option.
2. Flexible cargo space
With the third-row seating, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan offers flexible space. When the third row is folded flat, the 2021 Tiguan has 33 cubic feet of cargo space. Two-row models have 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. That's as much as many large SUVs, and plenty of space to fit sports equipment, camping gear, or instruments. If your cargo is mostly humans, pop up the third row. That reduces the cargo space to 12 cubic feet, but it's still plenty for essentials like a stroller or golf clubs.
3. Modern driver aids
If you're looking for lots of driver-assistance features, the Tiguan has you covered with both standard features and available options. The 2021 Tiguan comes standard with all the essentials, including a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and emergency braking. If you want even more peace of mind, look for optional add-ons like lane-keep assist, automatic high-beams, and a surround-view camera. Between the standard and available features, you can find the level of driver assistance you want.
4. Able to tow your toys
Compact SUVs aren't known for towing capacity, but here again the Tiguan stands out. The 2021 Tiguan with the standard 184-hp 2.0L turbo four-cylinder engine can tow an estimated 1,500 lbs when properly equipped.
5. Top-notch tech
The 2021 Tiguan makes it easy to stay connected while you're on the road. The 2021 Tiguan comes standard with Bluetooth®, Apple CarPlay®, and Android Auto™ connectivity. It also comes standard with an available Wi-Fi hotspot.
Similar vehicles
If you're interested in the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.
With seating for five, the Chevrolet Equinox is a compact SUV that offers a comfortable ride, great handling, and plenty of cargo space. 2017-2021 models have 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, which opens up to 63.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. Base trims are powered by a 170-hp 1.5L inline-four engine; a 252-hp 2.0L turbo-four and a 137-hp turbodiesel 1.6L engine are available as options.
Standard features on the 2017-2021 Chevrolet Equinox include:
Seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone integration
Rear-seat reminder
17-inch alloy wheels
Heated side mirrors
Full of personality and 34 cubic feet of cargo space, the 2017-2019 Ford Escape is ready for adventure. You have a choice of three engines, with the base-model 2.5L four-cylinder engine making 168 hp with a six-speed automatic transmission. With the optional 179-hp turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder engine and FWD, the 2017-2019 Ford Escape gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.
The 2017-2019 Ford Escape S includes these features:
Rearview camera
Six-speaker sound system
4.2-inch touchscreen with USB charge port
Power windows and doors
The Toyota RAV4 is a small SUV with a quiet and spacious cabin. 2017–2021 models come with a 2.5L four-cylinder engine with FWD or AWD and a suspension system that's tuned for comfort. Whether heading to the rink or the campsite, you'll have space for gear with 38.4 cu-ft of volume in 2017–2018 models and 37.5 cubes in 2019–2021 RAV4s.
Standard features on the 2017–2019 RAV4 XLE include:
17-inch alloy wheels
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Blind-spot monitoring system (2019–2021)
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Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Volkswagen Tiguan an overall reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Volkswagen Tiguan 27th out of 29 among Compact SUVs.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Volkswagen TiguanVolkswagen Tiguan features and specs
SE 2WD 4D Sport Utility
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automated Cruise Control
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Bluetooth Technology
- Front Seat Heaters
- Leatherette Seats
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Traction Control
- Turbo Charged Engine
- 20 Inch Plus Wheels
- Fold-Away Third Row
- Full Roof Rack
- Panoramic Sunroof
- Parking Sensors
- Remote Start
- Running Boards
- Third Row Seat
- Tow Hitch
Drive Wheels
Front Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
2.0L
Horsepower
184
Torque (ft-lbs)
221
Engine type
Turbo Gas
Fuel capacity
15.3
Wheelbase
109.8"
Overall length
185.1"
Width
72.4"
Height
66.3"
Leg room
F 40.2"/M 36.5"/R 27.9"
Head room
F 39.6"/M 39.1"/R 33.8"
Front tires
P215/65HR17
Rear tires
P215/65HR17
Seating capacity
7
Max towing capacity
150/1500 lbs.
Transmission
Automatic
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan FAQ
No, a new Tiguan did not come out in 2021. The second generation of the Volkswagen Tiguan was introduced in 2018, and there were few changes between then and 2021. The 2022 Tiguan has some changes to styling and trim levels.
The Volkswagen Touareg, which was discontinued in 2017, is about a foot longer than the Tiguan. However, the Touareg only offers seating for five, while the Tiguan comes standard with seating for seven on model years 2018 and later. If you want third-row seating, the Tiguan is a better option.
The name Tiguan is derived from two German words that mean tiger and iguana.
More about the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan
Color options
Exterior colors:
Atlantic Blue Metallic
Cardinal Red Metallic (not available on R-Line trims)
Deep Black Pearl
Platinum Gray Metallic
Pure White
Pyrite Silver Metallic
Stone Blue Metallic
Interior:
Saffrano Orange and Black (R-Line trims only)
Storm Gray
Titan Black
Interior details
The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan comes with cloth seats in the base trim, with either synthetic leather or genuine leather available at higher trims. All Tiguans have a three-seat bench in the second row, while seven-seater options have a two-seat pop-up third row. Upscale interior features, including a panoramic sunroof and leather-wrapped steering wheel, are standard at the SE R-Line Black trim and higher.
Child seat details
The 2021 Tiguan has two sets of LATCH anchors on the outboard seats of the second row. All three seats in the second row have rear car seat tethers, but the bench provides a tight fit for three car seats. The third-row seats in the Tiguan do not have LATCH connections or rear tethers, so they are not compatible with car seats.
Performance
The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan comes with one engine option: a 184-hp 2.0L turbo four-cylinder. All 2021 Tiguans come with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which can be paired with either FWD or AWD. The SEL Premium R-Line is the only trim that comes standard with all-wheel drive.
The 2021 Tiguan has a top speed of 114 mph, and it can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 9.7 seconds (according to the manufacturer, when new). The 2021 Tiguan with the standard 2.0L turbo four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive gets an EPA-estimated 25 mpg combined.
Emissions
According to EPA estimates, the FWD 2021 Tiguan's tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions are 353 grams per mile.
Year comparisons
2009-2017 Volkswagen Tiguan (First Generation)
The Volkswagen Tiguan was introduced to the North American market as a five-seat compact SUV. All first-generation Tiguans have five seats and 23.8 cubic feet of cargo space. Model years 2009-2017 come with a 200-hp 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is an available option. The 2016-2017 Tiguan has lots of standard features, including synthetic leather seats and Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ connectivity.
2018-Present Volkswagen Tiguan (Second Generation)
In 2018, a larger Volkswagen Tiguan was introduced. The second-generation Tiguan is more than 10 inches longer than the first-generation Tiguan. That results in a third row (on some models) and seating for up to seven. Cargo space is also substantially increased, with five-seater models boasting 37.6 cubic feet of space. In this generation, the base model comes with cloth seats and the engine is slightly less powerful, at 184 hp.
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