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Buy this Ford vs Ferrari GT40 Movie Car2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Review
The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan compact SUV offers three rows, some of the best technology, and VW quirkiness to rival its competitors.
What’s New for the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Volkswagen is going to introduce a facelifted Tiguan for 2022 and with that in mind, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan only gets a few changes. The SEL Premium R-Line gets a power-adjustable front passenger seat, the SE gets adaptive cruise control, and the S and SE get new wheel designs.
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan – media.vw.com | Shop 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Adaptive cruise standard on most trims
Unique styling stands out
Optional third row
By no means sporty
Fuel thirsty
Jarring ride at times
Another engine choice would be nice
2021 Tiguan Specs
- 184 horsepower from base engine
- 221 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 5 available trims
- 33 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 74 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- WiFi-hotspot is standard
- IIHS Top Safety Pick
- 2 years/20,000 miles of complimentary maintenance
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Powertrain
How one will feel about the powertrain in the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan will come down to their personal driving style. For those that prefer smooth operation and quiet motoring, it’s pretty solid. The transmission paired to the 2.0L I4 engine can, at times, be a bit slow to change up or down, but it’s otherwise good. Pedal feedback in the Tiguan is very light compared to what some drivers may expect too. The throttle offers a very quick response at first, but fades quickly under the weight of a heavy foot.
Drivers that want sporty handling and acceleration in their SUV will do better to look almost anywhere else. Both Kia and Mazda offer vehicles that can quickly dispatch the Tiguan for less cash. Volkswagen clearly focused on comfort over athleticism and for some, that won’t be a problem at all. Body roll is light and mostly unnoticeable during leisurely drives. It’s only when pushed hard that it literally can’t stand up straight.
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Fuel Economy & MPG
The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan falls near the bottom of its class with a rating of 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. That comes together for a combined rating of 25 mpg, which matches the much more powerful and fun Mazda CX-5 and trails behind the more refined Honda CR-V.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Volkswagen has the market on simple, straightforward, and functional cabins cornered. The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan is no different and offers the same utility as a Honda or Toyota with just a touch of German charm. Space can be a bit of a concern for anyone not in the front row though. The second-row has ample headroom and shoulder room thanks to an adjustable seat back, but legroom isn’t a strong suit. The available third-row is even less accommodating.
Storage is affected too, with a total of just 12 cubic feet in the back when the third row is in use. Volkswagen works around this with clever little storage cubbies littered throughout and large door pockets. Still, for passengers up front, the Tiguan is a nice place to be. Sightlines are outstanding and the seating is very supportive.
Entertainment & Technology
Techies will really enjoy the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan we think. It’s full of advanced features and for those that get the 10-inch driver display, something VW calls the digital cockpit, they’ll love it. Both screens provide solid response times to inputs and are logically laid out for the tech-inclined. Including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is a welcome move too. Keep in mind though that the Tiguan S requires a physical connection to your device for it to work.
Volkswagen also jazzes up the Tiguan with cool features that few others have. For instance, the available 360-degree camera system is one of the best in the business and little touches like rain-sensing wipers help this SUV feel more expensive than it is.
Safety Features
While we have yet to get an overall rating from the NHTSA regarding crash tests involving the Tiguan, the IIHS has given it a Top Safety Pick award. We also really like the inclusion of standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring and forward collision mitigation, plus all the other available advanced safety features in the lineup.
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Trims & Pricing
S – $26,440
Every 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan is equipped with a 184 horsepower engine, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive. Base S models come with a third row standard, but opt for all-wheel-drive and that row is optional. The base Tiguan S gets LED tail lights, 17-inch wheels, cruise control, and a 6.5-inch infotainment system equipped with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also has a Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth connectivity, and a single USB port. Safety equipment includes both blind-spot monitoring and forward collision mitigation.
SE – $28,590
Buyers who bump up to the Tiguan SE will get wireless Android and Apple integration, simulated leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a larger 8-inch infotainment system. They also get adaptive cruise control.
SE R-Line Black – $31,790
The SE R-Line Black trim of the Tiguan is equipped with larger 20-inch wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, adaptive fog lights, and a slew of black accents. These include black roof rails, black badging, and interior trim.
SEL – $33,740
As a pseudo-luxury trim, the SEL gets 19-inch wheels, a power liftgate, a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a 10-inch driver information display. It also adds lane-keeping assist.
SEL Premium R-Line – $40,290
At the top of the pile is the SEL Premium R-Line which gets all-wheel-drive as standard, 20-inch wheels, ambient interior lighting, leather upholstery, nine speakers, and LED headlights. It adds automatic high beams and a 360-degree camera system too.
Warranties
It’s tough to beat the solid coverage that Volkswagen provides for the Tiguan. Every one of the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan models are covered by a powertrain warranty and a limited warranty spanning 4 years or 50,000 miles. In addition, VW provides 2 years or 20,000 miles of complimentary maintenance.
What we think
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan – media.vw.com | Shop 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan on Carsforsale.com
While the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan doesn’t really stand out as a leader in any one facet of its design, it’s unique and strong enough that it will garner quite a bit of attention. It’s one of the few SUVs in its class to offer three rows or as much tech as it does. That’s going to be a winning combination for some, and makes the coming refresh more enticing.
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