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Another One: Volkswagen’s Next ‘Small SUV’ to Debut in October

volkswagen suv teaser 2 oem jpg Volkswagen's next small SUV debuts Oct. 13 | Manufacturer image

You want another small SUV? You got it: Volkswagen will expand its roster of vehicles with a small SUV that it says “slots below the Tiguan” in its current lineup. Teased today, the as-yet-unnamed SUV is slated to make its full debut next month, on Oct. 13.

Related: I Took My Own Advice and Bought a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas

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VW says the new addition to the lineup is part of its “doubling-up SUV strategy” that it first put into practice with the Atlas Cross Sport, a slightly smaller, two-row Atlas with subtly distinct styling. If this new SUV is slotting below the Tiguan, which has an optional third row, will it follow the Atlas Cross Sport’s example and simply be the size of a two-row-only Tiguan?

That’s difficult to predict from the teaser images, one of which shows only the front of the vehicle head-on and in low light. We can see that it will indeed have a roof, windshield, hood and headlights — so there’s that — but also some fairly interesting lighting elements integrated into the grille that lead from the headlights and connect to the VW badge (which is not illuminated, at least not in this image).

volkswagen suv teaser OEM jpg Volkswagen's next small SUV debuts Oct. 13 | Manufacturer image

The other image shows the new SUV in profile, giving us a look at a roofline that gently slopes toward the rear liftgate, which seems to have a slightly angular look.

“We’re excited to share the first glimpse of the newest member of the Volkswagen family,” Scott Keogh, president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, said in a statement. “Great things come in small packages, as Volkswagen has proven throughout the years with its iconic Beetle, Golf and Jetta. This next car will be no exception.”

Notably, the Beetle is no longer part of VW’s lineup and the Golf is mostly on its way out in the U.S. — but the thirst for SUVs, particularly in America, seemingly knows no limit. That might indicate that this is more of a tall hatchback with all-wheel drive optional or not available at all, but we’ll find out for sure in October.

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Brian Normile
Road Test Editor Brian Normile joined the automotive industry and Cars.com in 2013, and he became part of the Editorial staff in 2014. Brian spent his childhood devouring every car magazine he got his hands on — not literally, eventually — and now reviews and tests vehicles to help consumers make informed choices. Someday, Brian hopes to learn what to do with his hands when he’s reviewing a car on camera. He would daily-drive an Alfa Romeo 4C if he could.
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