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2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

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$25,245

starting MSRP

Key specs

Base trim shown

SUV

Body style

25

Combined MPG

7

Seating capacity

185.1” x 66.3”

Dimensions

Front-wheel drive

Drivetrain

Overview

(19 reviews)

The good:

  • Responsive steering
  • Crisp handling
  • Highway stability
  • Transmission response
  • Premium interior
  • First- and second-row comfort

The bad:

  • Modest high-speed passing power
  • Gas-pedal lag when starting off
  • Ride quality with 20-inch wheels
  • Third row uncomfortable for adults
  • Hard plastic dash trim not great for resting knee
  • Some functions needlessly complex

5 trims

Starting msrp listed lowest to highest price

Wondering which trim is right for you?

Our 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan trim comparison will help you decide.

See also: Find the best SUVs for 2024

Notable features

  • Compact SUV seats five or seven
  • Front- or all-wheel drive
  • Turbo four-cylinder, eight-speed automatic
  • Apple CarPlay, Android Auto standard
  • Automatic emergency braking standard

2021 Volkswagen Tiguan review: Our expert's take

What Is the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?

The Volkswagen Tiguan is a compact SUV that can seat five or seven people, depending on the model. It’s powered by a 184-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front- and all-wheel-drive versions are offered, and competitors include the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4

What’s New on the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?

SE and higher trim levels get adaptive cruise control and an 8-inch touchscreen multimedia system with multiphone pairing and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. 

What Features in the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Are Most Important?

Standard features include: 

  • 17-inch wheels 
  • 6.5-inch touchscreen multimedia system
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Cloth upholstery
  • Forward collision warning
  • Automatic emergency braking
  • Blind spot warning
  • Reverse automatic braking

Available features include: 

  • 19- or 20-inch wheels
  • Adaptive LED headlights
  • Panoramic moonroof
  • Hands-free power liftgate
  • Remote start
  • Leather upholstery
  • Heated front seats
  • Heated steering wheel
  • 8-inch touchscreen multimedia system
  • Fender premium stereo
  • Wireless device charging
  • Digital instrument panel
  • 360-degree camera system
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Lane keep assist
  • Automatic high-beam headlights

2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Vs. 2021 Honda CR-V: How Do They Compare?

The CR-V is more fuel-efficient than the Tiguan — its combined EPA rating is 5 mpg greater with AWD — but that’s not the whole story. While the CR-V gets high marks when it comes to in-cabin storage, cargo space and rear-seat comfort, it’s modestly powered and ride quality is firm. The Tiguan, by comparison, drives better while also delivering good space in its first and second rows. The VW’s available third row is small, but the ability to carry a few extra kids in a pinch may make it worthwhile for some shoppers. 

Should I Buy the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?

The Tiguan is a well-rounded compact SUV that’s comfortable to sit in and engaging to drive. In our latest compact SUV comparison test, it finished first in a field of seven. 

Consumer reviews

(19 reviews)
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.5
  • Interior 4.4
  • Performance 4.5
  • Value 4.3
  • Exterior 4.8
  • Reliability 4.4
Write a review

Most recent consumer reviews

Engine Issues

I owned the car for 2 years. With in the first six months of owning the car I got a bad door harness. Then a year later I had the steering making a weird nose and I took it in and the part just needed to be greased up. Then the second year owning the car I noticed a lot of white smoke coming out from the tailpipe. At first I noticed it during winter and thought it might be from the cold starts but then it continued in to spring/ summer that’s when I knew something was wrong. I took my car in on August 1st to get it checked out and about 3 weeks later they told me my car was critically failing. They said that they would need my car for a while. They would first start off by checking the turbo charger and take it from there. Then I finally got a call on September 22 that my car was ready to be picked up and on the 23rd I picked up my car and found out that they had to replace the 3rd cylinder and head gasket. Then on the 24th (the following day) I was driving on the freeway and my car started making a lot of noise and a weird ticking noise from the engine and it started to slow down and not pick up speed. I was lucky that I was able to pull over and not get in an accident. So then I had my car towed back to the dealership to get it checked out again. Since the 24th was a Sunday it went in to service on Monday the 25th. This time they said that something at the bottom of the engine went bad and that they had to replace the whole engine. While all of this was going on I contacted VW of America to buyback my car and they denied my claim because it was pass the buyback window by 1 month and they said they couldn’t do anything besides offer me a trade in assistance of 5k for another VW. So on October 11th I finally had enough time of waiting around for my car to get fixed that it took the trade in offer and got a 2023 Tiguan just so I could get rid of my 2021 and not have to deal with the issues. I got lucky the dealership offered be enough for my trade in to pay it off and use the 5k for a down payment.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 3.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 2.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does not recommend this car
12 people out of 13 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Very Uncomfortable, Several issues

Uncomfortable seat for anyone larger than a 80lb girl, center console extends over the gas pedal so you pretty much always have it digging in your leg. Nowhere to rest your arms unless the seat is on the floor. This is the most uncomfortable car I've ever driven. Lurching at stops combined with takeoff lag make city driving a pain. Infotainment bugs like radio decides not to work today or backup camera doesn't come on till after you've pulled out and driving down the road are common. Issues with the adaptive cruise control stopping the vehicle when someone in the lane next to you is stopping ahead and you can't turn it off. Performance and mpg are mediocre at best around the same performance of a Honda CRV with much worse fuel economy

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 1.0
  • Interior 1.0
  • Performance 2.0
  • Value 1.0
  • Exterior 3.0
  • Reliability 1.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does not recommend this car
8 people out of 9 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Great car and I shopped several

Great car, quiet ride mostly for an SUV, glad I bought it, tested Honda CRV, Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sorrento, Chevrolet Equinox, Terrain, and many others, at that time I could not make a comparison with Toyota since there were none to be tested, the Tiguan stood above the others

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does recommend this car
11 people out of 12 found this review helpful. Did you?
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See all 19 consumer reviews

Safety

Based on the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan base trim.
Combined side rating front seat
5
Combined side rating rear seat
5
Overall side crash rating
5
Risk of rollover
16.8%
Rollover rating
4
Side barrier rating
5
Side barrier rating driver
5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5

Warranty

New car and Certified Pre-Owned programs by Volkswagen
New car program benefits
Bumper-to-bumper
48 months/50,000 miles
Corrosion
84 months/100,000 miles
Powertrain
48 months/50,000 miles
Maintenance
24 months/20,000 miles
Roadside assistance
36 months/36,000 miles
Certified Pre-Owned program benefits
Maximum age/mileage
MY 2016-MY 2017 vehicles/75,000 miles; MY 2018- MY 2019 vehicles/72,000 miles; MY 2020 and newer vehicles/75,000 miles
Basic warranty terms
Vehicles purchased on or after 1/5/21: MY 2017 & older, 2 yrs/24,000 miles (whichever is 1st) limited warranty; MY 2018-19, 1 yr/12,000 miles (whichever is 1st) limited warranty; MY 2020 & newer, 2 years/24,000 miles (whichever is 1st) limited warranty
Dealer certification required
100-plus point inspection
Roadside assistance
Yes
View all cpo program details

Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?

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Latest 2021 Tiguan stories

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