Yahoo Autos 2023 VW Tiguan Review: A large, but just OK crossover
Pros: Available third row; stronger engine than most rivals; big for a compact crossover
Cons: Below-average fuel economy and no hybrid option; uninspiring design, touch climate and steering wheel controls have a learning curve
The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan is VW's most popular model, and it's easy to see why. Americans like big cars, and the Tiguan hits a sweep spot of being both big and agreeably priced at the same time. It's inoffensive, but hardly daring, when it comes to styling. All of the necessary tech is either standard or optionally available, and there's even an available third row (again, big). The Tiguan presses the right buttons for crossover shoppers here, and while we'd rather be cruising around in a GTI — utility be damned — there's no denying the Tiguan is the right fit for a lot of lifestyles.
That said, the Tiguan still isn't among our top-recommended small SUVs. The best in the segment are more spacious, more efficient and have higher-quality interiors – some are also more exciting to look at or drive. A Honda CR-V Hybrid, Mazda CX-50, Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Kia Sportage Hybrid all beat the Tiguan in numerous ways. Unfortunately for the Tiguan, there are even other Volkswagen SUVs we'd buy before plunking down the money for this one. The Taos is a pleasant surprise of an SUV, and despite it being closer to a "mid-compact" crossover, it's still shockingly huge and family-friendly in size (assuming you don't need a third row). To look further outside the box, there's the electric ID.4 that drives far better than a Tiguan and obviously drinks zero gasoline. Of course, you'd have to be OK making the leap to an EV and accept the extra initial purchase cost over a Tiguan.
Interior & Technology | Passenger & Cargo Space | Performance & Fuel Economy
What it's like to drive | Pricing & Features | Crash Ratings & Safety Features
What's new for 2023?
Volkswagen gave the Tiguan a notable mid-cycle refresh for 2022, so changes for 2023 are minimal. New 19-inch wheels are fitted to the SE R-Line Black models, and the USB-C ports have been upgraded for faster charging speeds, but that's all.
What are the Tiguan’s interior and in-car technology like?
The interior is styled conservatively, but the addition of the new digital instrument panel last year livens things up for the driver. Everything is easy to use and find. Materials quality is going to depend a bit on how you spec a Tiguan, but be prepared to meet some hard plastics in the cabin. As expected for a traditionally-shaped crossover, the driving position is high, and visibility is phenomenal thanks to a tall roof, and low windowsills and dashboard.
All Tiguans get a Digital Cockpit digital instrument panel, but the size differs by trim level: 8 inches standard with a 10-inch upgrade. The “Climatronic Touch” climate interface with slider controls is available, and feels like a huge upgrade to the manual HVAC dials in the S trim. You can also find touch controls on the top trim’s steering wheel. We acclimated to them quickly, and they're not a burden to use compared to the traditional buttons found in the S, thanks in part to the haptic feedback they provide. The lower trims have a 6.5-inch color touchscreen (below left), but the SEL Premium R-Line gets an 8-inch infotainment system with proximity sensor and voice control (below right). Although these systems aren't particularly flashy in appearance, they're easy to use, especially to the infuriating controls found in VW's ID.4.
How big is the Tiguan?
The VW Tiguan is pretty big for a "compact" crossover, but then so is most of the competition these days. It's incredibly family friendly, though the back seat and cargo room of the Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson best it, while the Toyota RAV4 matches it. One Tiguan advantage, though, is the back seat's sliding capability that lets you bring kids closer to you up front (good for wiping noses) or expanding cargo volume.
The Tiguan has another ace up its sleeve, too: a third-row seat that comes standard on all front-wheel-drive models. It's no longer an option for all-wheel-drive versions. Although primarily intended for children, and for infrequent use, only the Mitsubishi Outlander and the slightly larger Kia Sorento offer three rows in this general size class. Note that cargo space is reduced with the third-row seat, pictured below right.
