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2018 Volkswagen Tiguan

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Make
Volkswagen
Model
Tiguan
Year
2018
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Used Car Price Range
$11,087 - $21,998
$11,087 $21,998
Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2018 2.0T S 4dr Front-Wheel Drive
most popular
Price:   -  From $24,595
2018 2.0T S 4dr All-Wheel Drive 4MOTION Price:   -  From $25,895
2018 2.0T SE 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $26,750
2018 2.0T SE 4dr All-Wheel Drive 4MOTION Price:   -  From $28,050
2018 2.0T SEL 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $31,090
2018 2.0T SEL 4dr All-Wheel Drive 4MOTION Price:   -  From $32,390
2018 2.0T SEL Premium 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $36,250
2018 2.0T SEL Premium 4dr All-Wheel Drive 4MOTION Price:   -  From $37,550
Expert Rating
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: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

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Overview

The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan grows up in its second generation, giving buyers access to a third row of seats while maintaining the smaller, more nimble character of a compact crossover SUV.

What's New for 2018

The Volkswagen Tiguan is completely redesigned for 2018.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Choosing Your Volkswagen Tiguan

The Tiguan is only available with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that generates 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, but 4Motion all-wheel drive is available across the line for an additional $1,300. Front-wheel-drive models return 22 miles per gallon in city driving, 27 on the highway, and 24 mpg combined. Models with all-wheel drive return an economy of 21 mpg in city driving, 27 on the highway and 23 mpg combined.

The Tiguan adds a third row of seats for 2018 – it's standard on all front-wheel-drive models, but is (bizarrely) a $500 option on all-wheel-drive models.

The Tiguan is available in four trim levels: S, SE, SEL and SEL Premium.

Volkswagen Tiguan

S

This $26,245 (including a $900 destination charge) variant is the entry-level trim but comes well-equipped. There are LED running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels and a 6.5-inch multimedia touchscreen system. Cloth upholstery is standard. Among the options, you should opt for the Driver Assistance Package – it adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection.

Volkswagen Tiguan

SE

The SE trim, priced at $29,980 adds an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, a 10-way power adjustable driver seat, leatherette upholstery, and keyless entry to the Tiguan S' roster of standard equipment. The Driver Assistance Package is standard, although customers can add a $1,200 panoramic sunroof. The standard 17-inch wheels can also be replaced with a different style in the same size for no charge.

Volkswagen Tiguan

SEL

The SEL variant starts at $33,450. In addition to the elements on the lower trims, the SEL trim gets an upgraded eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 18-inch wheels, and adaptive cruise control. The panoramic sunroof is standard. An optional R-Line Package is a late availability item for SEL and SEL Premium models and (as of this writing) hasn't been priced yet. In the SEL trim, this pack includes 19-inch wheels, cosmetic tweaks to the bumpers and side-skirts, stainless steel pedals, and automatic parking assistance.

Volkswagen Tiguan

SEL Premium

The range-topping SEL Premium demands $35,150. The headlining feature is Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, although owners should appreciate the LED headlamps, leather upholstery, heated steering wheel, a memory function for the driver's seat,, automatic parking assistance, and interior ambient lighting. The R-Line Package gets 20-inch rollers instead of the SEL's 19-inch alloys, although it's otherwise unchanged.

CarsDirect Tip

Unless you're very crunched for funds, there's next to no reason to buy a Tiguan S over the pricier Tiguan SE. While the latter adds $3,735 to the price, that's a bargain for all the standard safety and comfort equipment the SE adds. Also, unless your brood includes smaller children, pass on the third-row – it's only suitable for regular use by younger kids.

Get your price on a Volkswagen Tiguan »

author image
Automotive Editor
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Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Writer

In a nod to American tastes, the all-new 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan is larger – both inside and out – than the outgoing model. A spacious interior, comfortable seats, and a class-leading warranty are offset by middling performance and merely average fuel economy.

Best Value

2018 Tiguan pricing starts at $26,095 for a front-wheel drive base S model and runs up to $38,940 for an all-wheel-drive SEL Premium trim equipped with the optional R-Line Package and finished in Habanero Orange Metallic. All models are covered by a comprehensive six-year/72,000-mile bumper-to-bumper transferable warranty.

With only one engine and transmission, we'd opt for the SE (rather than the fully loaded SEL we tested) because it offers upgrades over the base S trim that make sense: easier-to-clean faux leather seats, keyless remote with push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a power driver's seat, and a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen with satellite radio capability.

A rearview camera is standard across the lineup, but stepping up to the SE also adds forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and access to a panoramic sunroof.

  • Model: 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan SE
  • Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder
  • Output: 184 hp / 221 lb-ft
  • Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
  • Drivetrain: All-wheel drive
  • MPG: 21 City / 27 Hwy
  • Options: Panoramic Sunroof ($1,200, panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting)
  • Base Price: $31,130 (including a $900 destination fee)
  • Best Value Price:$32,330

Performance

Volkswagen Tiguan

The second-generation Tiguan features a smooth, controlled ride and predictable handling. Irregular pavement and large bumps are absorbed with ease, with enough suspension compliance that very little of what Michigan's winter havoc did to road surfaces makes its way into the cabin. Straight-line handling is solid, steering feedback is above average, and fuel economy, at an EPA-estimated 24 miles per gallon combined for the four-wheel-drive model, is decent for the class.

Looking at the spec sheet, the 2.0-liter four-cylinder under the hood appears to be promising: it's turbocharged, with sixteen fewer horses, but fourteen more lb-ft of torque than the outgoing model – with the peak twist at just 1,600 rpm – and mated to a modern eight-speed transmission.

As expected, the Tiguan steps off the line smartly. But the initial rush of acceleration quickly tapers off as the transmission, programmed for quick upshifts to maximize fuel efficiency, rapidly runs through the gears. You also have to really put your foot into it to force a downshift, as the transmission isn’t as willing as it should be.

Noticeable body lean occurs even in mild cornering and steering feel is on the light side. But what little feedback the Tiguan sends through the chassis reminds drivers of its German heritage – this crossover is calm and composed in everyday conditions, to the point that we’re willing to ignore performance handling foibles instigated by its consumer-friendly nature.

Style

Like the Atlas, the Tiguan more closely resembles a throwback two-box SUV than the slickly-styled crossovers that increasingly dominate American roads, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. The conventional shape translates into more usable space behind the second row.

Along with its overall shape, the Tiguan shares the same corporate horizontal grille, bumpers, and lower front fascia with its larger stablemate, the Atlas. Volkswagen has also done a nice job in designing the Tiguan's rear fascia, with clean shapes and crisp taillights.

The Tiguan's interior is versatile and conservative. The infotainment system – a 6.5-inch touchscreen on base models and an eight-inch unit everywhere else – sits in the middle of a horizontal dash. No matter the arrangement, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is standard. First and second row seating is firm and supportive, while, thanks to its boxy exterior – which is a nearly a foot longer than the old Tiguan – the cargo area boasts 33 cubic feet with the back row folded and 65.7 cubic feet behind the first row on three-row models. Those figures rise to 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seats and 73.5 cubic feet with the second row folded on two-row, all-wheel-drive models.

On the flip side, three adults will find accommodations tight in the second row, while buyers considering an all-wheel-drive model should review their needs before opting for the available third-row. Not only is it best suited for children, it also reduces cargo capacity, even when folded. Finally, despite the Tiguan's increased length, cargo space behind the second row – even on two-row models – is 1.6 cu ft less than the shorter Honda CR-V.

Overall fit and finish is very good, but the cabin’s doors and lower dash are finished in hard, black plastic trim. This might – we say might – be something we'd endure on a base S model, but it’s frustrating on a vehicle like our SEL Premium tester with an MSRP – including $295 for Habanero Orange Metallic paint – of $37,445. The disappointing cabin is the worst part of buying a high-end Tiguan, particularly when you consider a fully loaded Mazda CX-5 costs over $4,000 less and is a much prettier place to hang out.

The Best and Worst Things

Toss out any preconceptions, as the 2018 Tiguan's roomier interior is a big step up from the previous model.

The cabin is really disappointing, particularly on pricier models. Hard, cheap-feeling black plastic is no surprise in this segment, but its abundance on the Tiguan is frustrating.

Right For? Wrong For?

Volkswagen Tiguan

Slick, restrained styling, a roomy interior, and a class-leading bumper-to-bumper warranty should attract value-oriented buyers to the new Tiguan.

Early peak torque and an eight-speed transmission not eager to downshift will have enthusiast crossover buyers looking elsewhere.

The Bottom Line

A big improvement over the previous generation in every way, only a lack of sportiness and average fuel economy keep the 2018 Tiguan from being a top contender in the compact crossover class.

Read Less

Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Available
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L I-4 / 184 HP / 221 ft.lbs.
Transmission
8-spd Tiptronic w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
22 / 27 / 24 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
7
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
72 Months / 72,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L I-4 / 184 HP / 221 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
22 / 27 / 24 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
15.3 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$58
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
65.7 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
124 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
185.1 "
Exterior Width
72.4 "
Exterior Height
66.3 "
Front Headroom
39.6 "
Rear Headroom
39.1 "
Front Legroom
40.2 "
Rear Legroom
36.5 "
Front Shoulder Room
57.0 "
Rear Shoulder Room
55.9 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,777 Lbs.
Wheel Base
110 "
Turning Radius
18.8 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
17.0 " Silver Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Metallic Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote Heated
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Chrome
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
7
Seat Trim
Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
6-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
6-way
Front Armrests
6-way
Rear Armrests
Center
Rear Seats
40-20-40 Split-bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm, Seek-scan
Speakers
6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Climatic
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Front And Rear
Tinted Windows
Deep
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
3
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front And Rear
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Front Assist W/autonomous Emergency Braking Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Blind Spot Monitor Blind Spot
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Pedestrian Monitoring Front Pedestrian Detection Prevention
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
72 Months / 72,000 Miles
Major Components Months
72 Months / 72,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
84 Months / 100,000 Miles
Accessories Months

Used 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan for Sale

18 vehicles found within 50 miles of your area
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2.0T SE
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Phone: (888) 885-5748
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