Volkswagen Tiguan (2024) First Drive Review

Tech-rich Tiguan unleashed in Mzansi

It has finally arrived!

The Tiguan is a perennial favourite in South Africa and is one of the most sought-after models in the local lineup, with 41 000 sold since it first arrived in Mzansi. Now in its third generation, the latest Tiguan has evolved from a reliable, clean-cut SUV to a stylish and sophisticated aspirational vehicle that will appeal to the trendy and fashion-conscious consumer, not just the traditional family market. There are three models to choose from: the entry-level Tiguan, Tiguan Life, and top-spec Tiguan R-Line. 

Related: The 5 best VW Tiguan alternatives in SA

Presenting the new 2024 Tiguan (in R-Line trim) in Cippressino Green.

What's new, size-wise?

The Tiguan doesn't look much bigger, but you'll feel the extra space inside.

The Tiguan has grown to ensure that occupants have more room on board and more luggage space for all their stuff; it's now roughly the size of the outgoing seven-seater Tiguan Allspace model. The new Tiguan is 4539 mm in length, 1843 mm in width, and stands 1640 mm tall.

The boot offers an additional 37 litres. Fold the seats flat, and you have 1 650 litres at your disposal, ideal for those with space-requiring hobbies such as mountain biking or scuba diving.

Selling your car? Find out how much your Tiguan is worth

Is the Tiguan's exterior styling better than before?

The 2024 Tiguan's overall styling feels more relaxed - this is the R-Line model.

The previous Tiguan's look was conservative, but the third-gen model is visually more appealing and youthful, with a slim LED light strip running across the width of the brand-new front end. Both the Life and R-Line models have LED Plus headlamps, but if you want those intelligent IQ Light HD matrix LED headlamps, prepare to part with an additional R16 500 (R-Line trim only), which isn't that expensive considering their night vision-enhancing abilities. 

Related: Updated VW T-Cross launched

Persimmon Red brightens any day - please note that it's slightly more orange than it is red.

Seen from the side, the Tiguan is relatively uncomplicated with sculpted flanks and an accentuated shoulder line, but at the rear, things are more interesting thanks to widened rear quarter panels and the continuance of the connected LED taillight theme. The glossy black criss-cross-themed lower bumpers bring visual flair on the R-Line model, while the side scoops give off an athletic demeanour.

Related: Volkswagen showcases ID.Buzz

The rear-end is much more eye-catching than the outgoing Tiguan's. (This is also R-Line trim.)

Mid-spec Life models are slightly more demure-looking for those who prefer a more understated style.

There are many wheel choices, ranging from 17 to 19 inches, depending on the model, of course. Some stunning new colour choices are available, including Persimmon Red Metallic, Oyster Silver Metallic, and Cippressino Green Metallic, and the Black Package can also be ordered. The Tiguan's drag coefficient has been reduced from 0.33 to 0.28.

Related: What's the difference between VW R and R-Line?

What's the new Tiguan's interior like?

Is this even the same car? We like it, though!

It's a radical departure from the outgoing model, with many slick, glossy surfaces, screens, and contemporary design details (like the brushed chrome and rectangular air vents) that look sophisticated and upmarket. The biggest change is VW's latest infotainment system touchscreen; a 12.9-inch unit is standard, but you can specify a larger screen measuring 15.0 inches!

The gear shifter adds a modern touch, but it's placed there for practical reasons.

The new model now boasts a steering-wheel-mounted gear shifter that twists the stalk into P, N, D or S for sport. This has created more space for handy storage solutions between the seats. Interestingly, the cupholders and a 12V power socket can now be found directly underneath the central armrest, conveniently out of the way. The shelf in the central phone binnacle can be adjusted to different angles, and two USB-C ports are underneath.

Read our 2023 VW Tiguan 2.0TDI 130kW 4Motion R-Line Review

Clever stowage cubbies are everywhere - there's so much room!

One of my favourite new features is the large volume dial that doubles as your drive mode selector when you press or turn it. It also offers a third menu of themes that changes the colour of the ambient lighting according to your mood, which is standard across the board. To the left and right of this dial, you'll also find the start button for the engine and your electronic parking brake. All models come well-specified with features like 3-zone climate control, park-assist plus, and park distance control.

Buying used? Read our 2021 VW Tiguan 1.4 TSi R-Line Review here.

The multi-functional selection dial takes centre stage.

As for the seating, the R-Line model gets VW's new Ergoactive seats, which include a massage function that lasts up to 30 minutes and allows you to choose between a variety of massage styles. You can also specify these seats in the Life model.

The R-Line's sport seats are leather by default, but you can specify leather in the Life model, too. The base Tiguan model gets cloth seats. All models have eight airbags as standard.

The comfortable seats of our R-Line test model.

Which engines are on offer in the Tiguan range?

Engine choices are the same, but some variants' power figures are slightly different.

The 1.4 TSI is available immediately in all three trim levels; output is rated at 110kW and 250Nm, and it will still sprint from 0 to 100 km per hour in under 10 seconds (9.2, to be exact).

The 2.0TDI and 2.0TSI will be available from November and the first quarter of 2025, respectively, but they have been detuned slightly for better fuel consumption and also because our local fuel quality is so poor. The experts say that detuned engines are less sensitive to variations in fuel quality, reducing the risk of engine damage or performance issues.  

Behind the wheel of the new Volkswagen Tiguan

Hitting the road in the new Tiguan R-Line.

A Persimmon Red Metallic R-Line model was parked right in front of the Boardwalk Hotel's front entrance, and we made a run for it—it's a colour that's sure to photograph nicely in cloudy conditions. Our luggage almost looked lost when stowed in the roomy cargo area—the boot is much bigger than it looks in the image below.

Holiday luggage for five will fit if you don't travel too heavily.

Up front, we could lay our phones side-by-side on the central shelf and make ourselves comfortable in our multi-adjustable electronic seats. I set my preferred temperature at 23 degrees while my co-driver lowered his to 19; it was quick and straightforward despite not having physical buttons for this. You can also create shortcuts for different settings and apps on the screen, so you don't need to delve into multiple menus. I'd give the touchscreen a score of 7 out of 10 for user-friendliness, but remember that once you're more familiar with it, you'll find that it gets even easier to operate, much like a new smartphone.

You'll quickly get the hang of the new operating system, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto are wireless.

The rest of the cabin is practically laid out, and as before, the rear seats offer space for three full-sized adults, not just two and a half, making carpooling and family holidays a little easier. It's also noteworthy that the front passenger and driver's seats can massage in unison, and we both selected the "upward stroke" functionality, which feels like a fist gently pressing your lumber area and then working its way up; pure bliss! (The seats are also ventilated.)

The Tiguan's second row is sufficiently wide (R-Line).

Starting our launch route in Gqeberha, we had a lovely journey ahead of us along the Karoo's finest driving roads via Jansenville to Graaff-Reinet. The 1.4 TSI doesn't feel that fast, and acceleration isn't crazy, yet if you don't employ cruise control, the speed rises surprisingly quickly. The Tiguan's ride quality is so good, and the cabin is so quiet, even at speed, that it's easy to make this mistake. VW says their main aim is to support busy parents whose minds can't always be on the road by offering them a fuss-free driving experience, which they do with aplomb. Driving the Tiguan is effortless; you get in and go—in luxury! If you fancy the semi-autonomous driving life, you can always opt for VW's IQ.Drive that includes items like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assistance. Our fuel economy came to around 9.0 L/100 km, but it will undoubtedly drop if you don't have a heavy foot.

Thinking of buying an older model? Read our 2016 Tiguan Review here.

Pink ambient lighting in the Life model has 9 more colours to choose from.

Pricing

Tiguan 1.4 TSI 110kW DSG                              R651 500

Tiguan Life 1.4 TSI 110 kW DSG                       R702 800

Tiguan 2.0TDI 110kW Life 4MOTION DSG          R755 700

Tiguan 1.4TSI 110kW R-Line DSG                     R766 300

Tiguan 2.0TDI 110kW R-Line 4MOTION DSG      R834 800

Tiguan 2.0TSI 140kW R-Line 4MOTION DSG      R835 900

We also had a go in the Life variant on day two.

The Volkswagen Tiguan comes standard with a 3-year / 120 000 km warranty and a 5-year / 90 000 km EasyDrive Service Plan, including a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. The service interval is 15 000 km. 

Configure your brand new Tiguan on the VWSA website here.

Should you buy a new Tiguan?

Even the Tiguan's key fob is sexy!

The Tiguan has always been a sensible buy for practical people who make decisions with their heads rather than their hearts. With all the new interior tech, spec, and a sexy new exterior, the Tiguan will win with buyers of all sensibilities and personality types. So what if it's not the most passionate performer? It will still get you in trouble if you don't watch your right foot.

The new Volkswagen Tiguan gets two thumbs up from me.

Is the 2024 Tiguan good for long drives? Find out here!

Grade walk: Full equipment

1. VW Tiguan 1.4TSI (base model)

Exterior

• Black roof rails
• LED headlamps with lens
• LED rear combination lamp
• Separate daytime running light with automatic headlight control and Coming Home feature (automatic)
• Rear fog light on one side and a backup light on both sides
• Exterior mirrors with memory feature, power-folding/adjustable, separately heated
• Exterior mirrors: aspherical on the driver's side, convex on the front passenger side
• Alloy wheels 7J x 17
• Trims for alloy wheels

Interior

• Comfort seats in front
• Lumbar support, pneumatically adjustable
• Seat trim covers in fabric
• Rear seat bench/backrest, split folding
• Mechanical rear seat release
• Load compartment floor in rear
• Centre console
• Door and side trim panel
• Decorative inserts

Safety and Technology

• 3-point seat belts in front, with pretensioner/lap belt pretensioner
• 3-point seat belts, outer rear seats have ISOfix
• Anti-theft alarm system with interior monitoring, backup horn, and towing protection
• Brake control system for vehicles without electric drive (ESC and electromechanical brake booster)
• Cruise control system
• Hill-start assist
• Park Assist
• Radio "RNS 4010"
• Visual and acoustic seat belt reminder, electric contact in front and rear
• Warning triangle
• Wheel locks with extended theft protection

Other

• Active Info Display: Medium
• Alternator 140 A
• Antenna for AM/FM reception, "diversity"
• Battery 384 A (60 Ah)
• Comfort bumpers
• Extended pedestrian protection measures
• Front axle weight, standard
• Front stabiliser bar
• Front-wheel-drive
• Fuel system for fuel-injected SI engine
• Headlight range control
• Information kit in English
• LongLife Service Regime
• Mobile phone interface
• Multi-Functional Sensor
  
• Service indicator: 15 000 km or 1 year ( fix )
• Shock absorption in front
• Standard battery/alternator capacity
• Standard electronic engine sound
• Standard manufacturing sequence
• Standard paint coating
• Standard pedal cluster
• Switch in gearshift lever for rear-axle differential lock
• Tailgate/trunk lid unlocking from outside
• Two-tone horn
• With additional lights (interior lighting)
• With welcome light (mirror)

2. VW Tiguan Life

Exterior

• Black roof rails
• LED headlamps with cornering light (separate daytime running lamps with a special class-A surface)
• LED rear combination lamp with a special signal pattern
• Separate daytime running light with automatic headlight control and Coming Home feature (automatic)
• Rear fog light on one side and a backup light on both sides
• Exterior mirrors with memory feature, power-folding/adjustable, separately heated
• Exterior mirrors: aspherical on the driver's side, convex on the front passenger side
• Alloy wheels 7J x 17

Interior

• Comfort seats in front
• Lumbar support, pneumatically adjustable
• Seat trim covers in fabric
• Rear seat bench/backrest, split folding
• Mechanical rear seat release
• Plane luggage/load compartment floor in rear
• Centre console
• Door and side trim panel
• Decorative inserts
• Interior ambient lighting, type 1

Safety and Technology

• 3-point seat belts in front, with pretensioner/lap belt pretensioner
• 3-point seat belts, ISOFix on outer rear seats
• Anti-theft alarm system with interior monitoring, backup horn, and towing protection
• Brake control system for vehicles without electric drive (ESC and electromechanical brake booster)
• Cruise control system
• Hill-start assist
• Park Assist
• Poor weather light, cornering light and highway light
• Radio "RNS 4010"
• Visual and acoustic seat belt reminder, electric contact in front and rear
• Warning triangle
• Wheel locks with extended theft protection

Other

• Active Info Display: Medium
• Alternator 140 A
• Antenna for AM/FM reception, "diversity"
• Battery 384 A (60 Ah)
• Comfort bumpers
• Comfort equipment
• Extended pedestrian protection measures
• Front axle weight, standard
• Front stabiliser bar
• Front-wheel drive
• Mobile phone interface
• Multi-Functional Sensor
• Regional code ROW country group 2 for radio
• Right-hand drive
• Service indicator: 15 000 km or 1 year ( fix )
• Shock absorption in front
• Standard battery/alternator capacity
• Standard electronic engine sound
• Standard paint coating
• Standard pedal cluster
• Switch in gearshift lever for rear-axle differential lock
• Tailgate/trunk lid unlocking from outside
• Two-tone horn
• Vehicles without special upgrade measures
• With welcome light (mirror)

3. VW Tiguan R-Line

Exterior

• Alloy wheels 8.5J x 19
• Chrome package (type 2)
• Bright decorative trims
• Scuff plates in door apertures
• LED headlamps with cornering light (separate daytime running lamps with a special class-A surface)
• Rear combination lamp with a special signal pattern
• Separate daytime running light with automatic headlight control and Coming Home feature (automatic)
• Rear fog light on one side, a backup light on both sides
• Exterior mirrors with memory feature, power-folding/adjustable, separately heated
• Exterior mirrors: aspherical on driver side, convex on front passenger side

Interior

• Leather-wrapped sports multi-function steering wheel, heated, with shift paddles
• Seat trim covers in leather
• Seat ventilation/massage seat(s) in front
• Sports comfort seats in front
• Varenna Leather Seats: Massage seats in front, power seats in front with memory feature and front heated
• Rear seat bench/backrest, split folding
• Mechanical rear seat release
• Plane luggage/load compartment floor in rear
• Centre console
• Door and side trim panel in foam film, insert in leatherette
• Decorative inserts
• Interior ambient lighting, type 2

Safety and Technology

• 3-point seat belts in front, with pretensioner/lap belt pretensioner
• 3-point seat belts, ISOfix on outer rear seats 
• Anti-theft alarm system with interior monitoring, backup horn, and towing protection
• Brake control system for vehicles without electric drive (ESC and electromechanical brake booster)
• Cruise control system
• Hill-start assist
• Park Assist
• Poor weather light, cornering light and highway light
• Radio "RNS 4010"
• Visual and acoustic seat belt reminder, electric contact in front and rear
• Warning triangle
• Wheel locks with extended theft protection

Other

• Active Info Display: Medium
• Alternator 140 A
• Antenna for AM/FM reception, "diversity"
• Battery 384 A (60 Ah)
• Comfort bumpers
• Extended pedestrian protection measures
• Front axle weight, standard
• Front stabiliser bar
• Front-wheel drive
• Fuel system for fuel-injected SI engine
• LongLife Service Regime
• Lumbar support, pneumatically adjustable
• Mobile phone interface
• Multi-Functional Sensor
  
• Right-hand drive
• Service indicator: 15 000 km or 1 year ( fix )
• Shock absorption in front
• Standard battery/alternator capacity
• Standard electronic engine sound
• Switch in gearshift lever for rear-axle differential lock
• Tailgate/trunk lid unlocking from outside
• Tyres 255/45 R19 100V
• Two-tone horn
• Unsplit moulded headliner
• With welcome light (mirror)