Third-generation Volkswagen Tiguan Breaks Cover

The new Tiguan, in its sportier R-Line trim, will also offer a plug-in hybrid option for the first time with a claimed range of up to 100km on pure EV mode

• Volkswagen introduced the ‘Tiguan’ nameplate globally in 2007.

• The third-gen model’s exterior highlights include connected LED lighting setup and up to 20-inch alloy wheels.

• Its cabin offers a 15-inch touchscreen, a digital driver’s display, and ambient lighting.

• May get multiple powertrain options including turbo-petrol, plug-in hybrid, and diesel units.

• India launch expected in 2025; likely to command a premium over the current model (priced at Rs 35.17 lakh ex-showroom Delhi).

One of the globally popular SUVs, the Volkswagen Tiguan, has now been unveiled in its third-generation avatar. The new SUV, which takes a more modern approach inside and out, has been showcased in a near production-ready form. The nameplate has been in existence since 2007, and with the third-gen model, it has now got a plug-in hybrid version for the first time.

High On Desirability

The Tiguan, in its latest generation, is now more stylish than before, and has all the touches seen on modern Volkswagen cars. Volkswagen says the new SUV has grown in length by around 30mm while its height, width and wheelbase remain almost identical to the second-gen model.

Up front, the SUV gets a sleek glass finish for the grille, flanked by matrix dual-pod HD LED headlights (derived from the new Touareg) with each cluster sporting 19,200 multi-pixel LEDs. There’s also a slim LED DRL strip running the width of the bonnet, with the portion in the headlight clusters doubling up as turn indicators as well. Lower down, it has a chunky bumper (with three chrome bars), and a skid plate featuring air intakes.

As seen on the current international-spec Tiguan, the new model also comes in the sportier ‘R-Line’ trim, which gets a few cosmetic tweaks. The third-gen SUV’s R-Line version has the ‘R-Line’ badge on the grille, along with a differently designed bumper (sporting diamond-shaped elements), sharper faux air intake housings, and a chrome bar further down.

In profile, both the standard and ‘R-Line’ versions look identical with the only difference being the more stylish alloy wheels on the latter (up to 20 inches). The plug-in hybrid option is exclusive to the R-Line trim, the charging port of which is noticeable on the front left fender, and the ‘R-Line’ badge on the doors.

At the back, both the models feature a connected LED taillight setup, with a 3-piece lighting element. While both sport the ‘Tiguan’ moniker on the tailgate, the R-Line version has an ‘eHybrid’ insignia. The latter’s rear bumper also has similar design elements as its front bumper.

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A Plusher Cabin

The new Tiguan gets a 2-tone finish for the cabin while the R-Line version gets an all-black theme (with blue highlights on the door pads and dashboard). Both models get different digital graphics on the passenger side of the dashboard with the ‘Tiguan’ and ‘R-Line’ insignia, and even on the door pads. The R-Line version also has sportier covers for the pedals. There’s also a new rotary dial in the centre console with an OLED display that can be used to control the driving profile, ambient lighting and even the radio volume.

Its boot space has gone up by 37 litres, and now stands at 652 litres, with the possibility of folding down the second row completely.

More Features On Offer

One of the biggest upgrades on the inside, though, is the dual digital screens (one for instrumentation and the latter for infotainment, which measures 15 inches). The new Tiguan also comes with a heads-up display, a 4-way adjustment for lumbar support, a panoramic sunroof, auto-heated and ventilated seats with massage function, and voice-assist based functions.

Gets Safety Upgrades Too

Volkswagen has provided the new Tiguan with various advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) features including lane-change assist, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist and park assist with remote parking capability (for automatic driving into and out of parking spaces using the smartphone app).

Powertrain Details

Although Volkswagen hasn’t shared the exact details of the new Tiguan’s powertrains, it has confirmed that the SUV will get turbo-petrol (TSI), diesel (TDI), mild-hybrid turbo-petrol (eTSI), and plug-in hybrid (e-Hybrid) options. In its plug-in hybrid version, the SUV is claimed to offer a range of up to 100km on pure EV mode. The new Tiguan also gets a Vehicle Dynamics Manager, which controls the functions of the electronic differential locks.

Will It Come To India?

Volkswagen will globally debut the new Tiguan sometime in 2024, but we expect it to arrive in India only in 2025. The new model will be charged at a premium over the existing Tiguan (priced at Rs 35.17 lakh ex-showroom Delhi). It will continue to go up against the Hyundai Tucson, Citroen C5 Aircross, and Jeep Compass.

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