Is a used Volkswagen Tiguan the way to go? Or are you better off buying new? We compare a 2018 to a 2021 to find out if there’s enough of a difference.
The Volkswagen Tiguan
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The current Volkswagen Tiguan SUV has been around since 2008. However, in 2018, Volkswagen used the new Audi Q5 platform as a foundation for something better. Since then, the Tiguan has become an excellent option in the roomy compact SUV market. But does a new 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan with its new car price make you want to buy it over a used Volkswagen Tiguan from 2018? Let’s compare a new vs used Tiguan and let you decide.
Should You Buy a New or Used Volkswagen Tiguan?
Volkswagen rightfully states that the new Tiguan provides better quality and refinement than many of its current competitors, but does it outshine a used Volkswagen Tiguan? Unfortunately, with any new vs used comparison, that’s not always true. Sure, there may be some tech and design updates, but a preowned vehicle is often considerably less expensive yet has a similar look and feel to the new models (albeit with some extra miles on it).
Look at the 2008 through 2021 VW Tiguan and you’ll agree that Volkswagen has always been on the conservative side of design. Besides color additions and some facelifts, Volkswagen’s design never gets wild and crazy even with evolutions. That can be seen as benefit for the used VW Tiguan buyer since it looks almost identical to the new one.
Design consistency isn’t the only benefit. The low amount needed to get into a used car and depreciation costs is also beneficial. Of course, a car with only three years of prior ownership plus a low cost of entry is enticing, but what about the issue of reliability and wear? Don’t you give up something for such a good deal?
Thankfully, today’s vehicles are more dependable and less disposable than they’ve ever been. It’s not uncommon for cars to last well over 100,000 miles with no mechanical problems. Additionally, many services are available to determine almost any vehicle’s maintenance and accident records. As a result, it’s easier than ever to be sure you’re getting an excellent used value.
So, while nearly everything about used cars costs less, buying a new car also has its advantages. You’ll be the first owner, get that new car feeling, and Volkswagen will cover factory maintenance for two years in the case of a new VW Tiguan.
Is a mid-range 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan SE at a starting MSRP of $27,395 worth the extra depreciation to get the latest and greatest? Or can you happily own a loved and gently used 2018 VW Tiguan SE with low miles for $24,995?
New vs Used VW Tiguan Specs
Over the years, the 2018 Tiguan has received above-average reliability ratings with the new 2.0-liter turbo and smooth 8-speed transmission that is still found in the 2021 model. However, if you’ve driven the much smaller 2017 model with its available 200-horsepower engine, you’ll miss that extra power it carried. It would have been nice to have that additional engine option carried over for those that want some extra power.
Across all of the 2021 VW Tiguan’s five trims, you have the 2.0-liter turbo that’s efficient at fuel mileage and acceleration. You also have the latest safety assists from Volkswagen, including standard blind-spot monitoring, front emergency braking assists with pedestrian monitoring, and rear cross-traffic warnings.
Driving Experience
The new Tiguan, except for the current standard third row, shares the used Tiguan’s body and layout from 2018. Back in 2018, Volkswagen fully redesigned and enlarged the Tiguan into the model you see today. In addition, it gained a stiffer chassis, lost a more powerful engine, but acquired much better road manners. Whether you buy new or used, you’ll experience much of the same behind the wheel.
There are no complaints about the Tiguan’s ride and handling. When Volkswagen crafted this version of the Tiguan, it was targeting a more mature customer with its class-leading quiet interior and compliant ride. As a result, its combination of ride and handling is one of the best non-performance SUVs in its class.
Interior and Comfort
The new and used Volkswagen Tiguan models have very similar interiors, but the 2021 model has a standard third row for extra passengers. Although, the third row was an available option on the model in 2018, so many used VW Tiguans will have that included. As you might expect, there isn’t much for third-row legroom, but should you need the extra seats for carpools or the family pet, you’ll have it.
Even though the legroom is tight in the back row, passengers in the second-row won’t have issues. The second-row passenger space is superb and the seats are very comfortable. Even though the VW interior doesn’t have the luxury of its Audi Q5 cousin, it has the Q5’s space, attention to detail, and protection from the environment’s noise, vibration, and harshness.
The new 2021 VW Tiguan has a very user-centered dash and control design, similar to the used 2018 version. Compared to Toyota, Honda, and GM SUVs of the same size and price range, the interior also looks more upscale. The S trim models get a 6.5-inch infotainment screen with the SE and up receiving the HD 8-inch touchscreen. Volkswagen ups the price considerably as you move up from the SE. From there, you get Volkswagen’s virtual cockpit, genuine leather, standard power liftgate, and a few extra safety assists.
When you get to the SEL models, a new Tiguan could cost you up to $15,000 more than the base model. That’s a considerable amount of money for extra luxury and convenience items, especially when an over $40,000 price point could get you a more luxurious vehicle from another brand. Should you want that trim, we would highly recommend seeking out a used model.
Regardless of the model year and luxury, you’ll be amazed at the sheer size of the interior. It’s one of the most oversized vehicles in its class and 57 percent larger than the previous generation of the VW Tiguan. Inside you get over 73 cubic feet of space behind the first row with the two-row Tiguan. For the three-row models, that space drops to a little less than 66 cubic feet because the third row takes up some cargo space depth found in the two-row version.
Warranty
Interestingly, the 2018 VW Tiguan had a 6-year/72,000-mile basic and powertrain warranty. Compare that to a 2021 Tiguan with its 4-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain warranty, and it makes the ownership of a used VW Tiguan even more enticing since Volkswagen states that it is transferrable. It may just seal the deal.
VW says the reason for the shortened warranty on new VW Tiguan models was that customers would rather have 2 years of complimentary scheduled maintenance than an extended warranty. The determination for you will be whether or not you’ll lease. If you want to lease the car for three years, 2 years of free maintenance may tip the scales.
Is the Used VW Tiguan the Right Choice?
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Currently, car buying in the Summer of 2021 is very different from a few years ago. First, there’s the issue of declining new car inventory. If you can find a 2021 VW Tiguan at a dealership, and there are a few even in this current chip shortage, you’ll be able to take a test drive, but you better act fast if new is the choice for you.
In addition to the lack of inventory for new cars, used car prices have dramatically increased. For example, used car prices are so high that a low mileage 2018 VW Tiguan is only $2,000 less than a comparable 2021 VW Tiguan. Then there’s the cost of maintenance. The research will show you that the out-of-pocket maintenance costs for a Tiguan will average over $700 a year. When you consider the new model comes with 2 years of free factory maintenance, the cost difference between the two gets even closer.
For those reasons, we would suggest you purchase a new 2021 VW Tiguan SE over a used VW Tiguan model. You’ll be able to get a decent deal on the new car, get a unique new car ownership experience, and have worry-free maintenance costs over the next two years.
