I really love how concise your videos are! You manage to fit absolutely everything we need to know in 12 minutes. Some others can't do that in 25-30 minute videos. Keep up the great work guys! :)
I bought a 22 Tiguan SE R-line black, 6 months ago. I’m not in any way disappointed with this vehicle. It’s super comfortable and really nice to drive. It’s not “fast” but it can get out of its own way just fine. The AWD makes it great in the snow. I personally think it’s nicer then the 22 Audi Q3 another family member of mine bought, although that’s debatable . I think the thought of it driving like a larger golf is spot on. I came from a ‘17 gti and that was my first thought of the tiguan. Cargo space is amazing. I can fit 2 rear facing infant seats without having to adjust the front seats. I think the gripes about the haptic controls are valid but it isn’t really as horrible as many are making it out to be. I lived through an Iowa winter with it and it’s not a huge deal. Time will tell how durable those piano black faces are.
My wife has a 2018 q3 last model of first gen, which we purchased new. It's been a good little car for her. She is petite and we only have one child. I test drove this 22 tiguan here in Canada highline r (top model as shown in video) vehicle surprised me. Has tons of cargo and the touch buttons, although annoying were not a deal breaker for me. The problem I had was the power. I am currently driving a 2010 x3 for the last 12 years and coming from a naturally aspirated inline 6 with 268hp to this. Night and day difference. Here in Canada I asked, however they are not bringing a tiguan r model like Europe 300hp+. Had this vehicle had 20-30 more torque and hp I would have purchased without a second thought. Even my wife's 2018 q3 with 200hp and torque was quicker. Probably due to thE wieght difference as well. An overall well built vehicle, just lacking thr bottom end to really make it shine.
I've had my Tiguan for two years and I absolutely love it. The ride and drivetrain performance are extraordinary. It has that "planted" feel on the road which makes it much easier to drive. And let's face it, it is much more attractive than the other CUV's out there.
Just got my 2024 se yesterday and I love it. What Mark says about how solid it feels its absolutely on point. It drives really well and due to the torque in its intended use, thats city driving and commuting, it feels quite peppy.
Crossovers are the perfect size for a single guy. Enough space to carry stuff, but small enough that it gets good gas mileage, is fun to drive, and easy to park.
@@wesleythompson451 I fully acknowledge that not everyone has the same needs as me, but single people used to have coupes or 3-door hatchbacks or small sedans and they made do. I've done small road trips with 4 adults in my FR-S, and it was fine so long as we stopped every hour or so to stretch our legs. The problem I have with the industry trend to CUVs is that SUVs are right there if you need space, and CUVs are replacing the truly small cars that used to work just fine (and in reality, still do). Now everyone just sits higher and interior volumes haven't changed all that much.
@@HandsomeAlex25 I just moved from a hatchback to a crossover, and the space doubled. I'm not sure what you mean. I got exactly what I needed, which was some trunk space, a heavier vehicle for snow driving, a better seating position, so I can see past cars in front of me sometimes, and some rear passenger space for when I drive my friends around.
I've always felt like if reliability wasn't a concern on these cars, or at least the stigma of reliability, VW should be selling way more of these. Definitely one of the most usable, refined CUVs in this segment for the money. I say stigma because for the last ten years I believe these cars to be reliable with the proper maintenance. Cost of ownership still higher than your typical JDM picks though.
I’ve owned a 2020 Tiguan for over a year. Here are some of my experiences: 1. The interior is an amazing place to be; it is high quality and comfortable. 2. Highway MPG is great, I got around 31-34 when mostly using highways. Now I ended up getting rid of it due to some headaches: 1. Rattles in the cabin. 2. Constant service trips. Sunglasses holder broke several times. Suspension creak when going over bumps. Factory fit and finish issues. This car is very well thought out. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to have been screwed on well. I don’t miss it like it miss my MK4 VR6 Jetta
If you've ever owned a well-built, reliable, cheap-to-repair car from the Japanese brands, it's hard living with a VW. Stuff constantly goes wrong and is weirdly expensive to repair if not covered by warranty. It's too bad, because the VWs drive so nicely.
@@TheDaltonNetwork absolutely correct, I usually get Mazdas but have leased 2 VW’s. Fortunately I don’t put lots of miles on mine so I haven’t run into any bad experiences or poorly made VW’s at least during my lease periods.
The issue with this segment is its incredibly over saturated and they're all so close. It's really a question of "does it give you the fuel economy you want" and "do you like the interior" because that's what's selling 99% of these. Anything else is just a bonus
Big surprise, generic cars are generic. Is there a huge difference between a 1997 Camry, Accord, Maxima? Was there a huge difference between the Ford Explorer and the Chevy Trailblazer at the same time? No, they're appliances, not everyone wants their economy car to have supercharger whine and carbon fiber accents. Most people, believe it or not, are not so devoid of personality that they feel they need their car to say, "hey, aren't I interesting? aren't I someone special? mommy loved me best."
Canadian buyer here, bought the 22 Tiguan Comfortline R-Line (Your SE R line with some difference like the nicer digital gauge screen and AWD standard) and absolutely love it. Whenever I drive people around in it like friends and family, they always remark about how comfortable it is. My dad said it was like riding in a limo. Personally, mine came from the factory, never driven on the road or test driven and I paid to have it sprayed top to bottom to prevent rust as we use lots of road salt here. Having driven it in some nasty weather it felt very sturdy and I had complete confidence in it to perform. People will harp on the Horse power numbers, but really it doesn't feel slow. For me, I loved the German design elements and styling and it's an absolutely pleasant and smooth cruiser. I'm not out here trying to win stop light street races. It does get the suggest MPG for AWD for me, but I have pushed it further with very smooth accelerations and stops. I got the all blacked out Tig and people honestly think it costs more than it did. Let me just say this though, because every car reviewer hates this about the Tig... I actually like the Steering wheel and HVAC controls. Perhaps because I'm an Zoomer (mid 20's) but I like the way it lights up and looks and I've never had difficulties operating it. Everything about it made sense for me to use on a daily basis but I get it's a personal preference thing. Another thing to note. My purchase came with Sirius satellite radio... Please VW let us opt out of this. I don't want it, Spotify is better and I already have it. Sirius will not stop calling me to purchase since the trial ended. (Which I didn't use once)
Love my Tiguan 1.5 petrol DSG 2021 regular size 5 seater. Smooth, comfortable, spacious. It really is a work of art. The haptics temp controls are fine for me; I don't understand why everyone gripes about them. It's a car that grows on you the more you drive it and it really becomes part of the family.
I just bought one recently and love it. We test-drove a CX-5 fully anticipating to drive away in one, but were surprised at how firm the handling was. That's great if you want sporty handling, but it felt like driving a jackhammer. The Tiguan in comparison felt like driving on a couch. Can't recommend it enough to anyone cross-shopping the two if you prefer lighter and more comfortable handling.
I liked the CX5 cuz it gives a bit more feedback on what the cars doing. Also the seats in the CX5 is much better than the Tiguan, at least from my experience
I wanted to like the CX5 but I want a daily driver to be isolated not sporty. The CX5 is beautiful but the Bose stereo was poor, front seat bottoms too short, overall too small, and too much NVH from the front for my liking.
VW fixed the EA888 lineup in 2014 with the gen3 introduction, so I feel like they've been good engines as of late. Good torque down low makes the engines fun to drive with
Engines are rarely a problem amymore. That VW was having problems was unusual, as most makes don't. It's all the other stuff that breaks down, not the engines.
@@markmiller3279 yeah , exactly , even in most cars its more all the bullshit gizmos that break down before the engine , even german cars. The tiguan engine has been perfected over the last 21 year since the 2.0t launched in 2001 , may of been earlier
@@markmiller3279 When it comes to VAG engines there has been problems with a lot of the petrol engines. 1.4 and 2.0 mainly, but also the 1.2. The 2.0 TFSI in the Audi A4/A5 B8 was very much to stay clear from. Heck! Change gas, refill oil is a classic VAG joke for a reason.
Our 2019 Tiguan SEL 4Motion has been pretty fantastic overall. It's a very comfortable car that does everything pretty well. 40k miles and no issues to speak of as of yet. Having a full warranty until 72k helps quite a bit as well! :)
Exactly the same experience. 2019 SEL 4Motion with close to 50k miles. Zero issues, been a great ride so far. Glad mine older so as to avoid the new crappy buttons and lack thereof!
I just picked up a 22 Mazda CX-5 Signature, I was a 25 year Audi/ VW guy, I looked the other way at reliability since I did the majority of my own service, but my 2014 A4 was a pile from the moment it hit 50K, carbon build-up, bad ZF trans, bad injector, then the all too familiar timing chain jump. I faithfully changed oils at 5K, plugs at 30K, but when it started to devour Liqui-Moly 2.5 quarts per 1000 miles…..I was done. VAG makes great looking and driving cars, but never again.
To keep it runing, you needed to clean a oil pickup hose mesh found when you remove your oil pan. That is the main issue with all TSI,TSFI engines. Your engine didn't get the lubrication or coolling effect from oil and that is why starts burning oil and has all that soot.
Now a CUV to end the week!! Nothing will make me feel better about this crappy wintry mix we are getting in April, than watching another CUV review!! LIFE IS GOOD!!
My wife recently bought a brand new Tiguan R-line in white and absolutely loves it. It’s an SE but has 4-motion optioned on it. The R-line is definitely the better looking trim especially with the black wheels.
I love this channel , they tell you everything you need to hear and nothing you don’t . Then in the end they say see you soon , they don’t tell you to subscribe and like 😂👍🏼
Bought my ‘22 Tiguan SE FWD in December to replace a ‘17 Golf that was getting high in mileage. Agree that overall it drives very smooth and feels very solid, which is why I like VW’s. Engine isn’t very exciting, but once you get going it’s fine, and very capable on the highway. Have been averaging 26 mpg in mixed driving. So far no issues. One other advantage was not having to pay over MSRP like many of the Tiguan’s competitors.
Here is why this is a better SUV. You can drop it an inch with H&R Sport Springs, and then you can go out and get you a nice set of BBS or VMR wheels, and add on some Michelin Pilot Sports on it, and it will look every bit as good as a Audi SQ5 or BMW X5 at half the price. I did those mods to mine, and it's amazing how many people stop me to ask "wow, what kind of SUV is that?" And they are blown away when I tell them how little I paid for it compared to what it looks like.
Maintenance on VW/Audi requires a generous repair budget. Especially if the engine bay is full of plastic parts that go bad quickly. They make nice cars but it'll be nice if they added some reliability in the mix.
I have a Mk7 R ('17) with 55k on the clock (its tuned and I drive the piss out of it but with the utmost mechanical sympathy). I had the clutch go bad at 8,600 miles (common issue, the OEM is made of velcro and cannot handle a tune), the thermostat housings crack and leak extremely slowly (you will never see wetness as it evaporate off too fast) I got mine replaced under warranty because I could smell coolant. I have done a front wheel bearing (also common on MQB VWs) as well. That is all, it has otherwise been dead reliable and none of those things left me stranded. I did the clutch myself for $600 in parts and I think the wheel bearing cost like $25. All told not too bad.
@@flacjacket my mustang has as many miles as your R and I have had literally 0 maintenance issues. What you’ve been put through is ridiculous and should be totally unacceptable.
@@d4nvu While VW may be cracking mid-tier in reliability for compact cars, Consumer Reports has their small SUVs (Tiguan and Taos) solidly AT THE BOTTOM of their respective categories in Reliability based on non-biased info from the last three years.
@@flacjacket that’s not a good track record for any car with 55k miles. I understand yours is tuned but to fry any clutch in that mileage unless you tripled the horsepower……and a thermostat and wheel bearing too.
You guys do great, informative reviews. I'm also happy you also touch on the quality of the audio systems which other journalists tend to ignore or don't care/understand audio quality.
I bought a 2022 Tiguan SEL Premium R-Line last month and I am IN LOVE!!! I also have a Honda Civic Type R and I can honestly say the interior on the Tiguan is much nicer.
Just purchased this exact model, trim and color, though with a black interior. I'm in love with it, and can say this review nailed it. The less than perfect audio can be drastically helped by adjusting the bass, mid, and treble. The haptic steering wheel and climate sliders bother me less than I thought they would. It looks fantastic and handles really well. I can be a professional, new dad in this, doing runs to costco without spending over 40k. I think it would crush the rav4 if there was a hybrid trim with a bit more power.
@rteitel1974 it's been good! It's a solid tank but handles very well. The only issue is the acceleration while the engine is cold is very jerky if you're not careful. But once it's warmed up that goes away. I wish the drives seat went lower. Otherwise it's beautiful, has AWD, lots on interior space without looking big on the outside. Doesn't get the gas mileage of honda crv or other cuv's with CVT transmissions, but not bad at 30 on the highway and 27 mpg long term avg. In sport mode it can feel quite fast off the line but doesn't have a lot of power at speed (184 hp). Wish it had more power and could tow more than 1500lbs. That's about it!
Thanks for the report. Mine arrives at the dealership this Saturday. It was a tough decision due to the lack of power. My thought is that if the lack of power bothers me, I can always get an inexpensive stage 1 tune. I just think this design will age well and so many cars these days look of the time.@@jchaps1
@rteitel1974 I agree the design will age well. And I was also looking at the apr ecu tune that adds 25% more HP for 500$. But I'm going to wait until my warranty expires before I do that. That tune also fixes the non linear throttle issue and deactivates the engine start/stop as default upon start up. So absolutely worth every penny, it just voids your power train warranty.
@@jchaps1 I got my Tig finally and honestly the lack of power doesn't bother me. Gorgeous color! The APR stage 1 tune won't necessarily negate the powertrain warranty. I'm going to wait a few months to get it though to see how the car plays out regarding oil consumption.
I bought the 2018 VW Tiguan SE plus special fog lights for my wife . She likes it so much. The water pump out around 36,000 miles under warranty. Cargo area and third row seats are the down side. Very good gas mileage on freeway.
I owned one of these. I wish Jack would have mentioned that the 2nd row bench slides back & forth 6”. But thanks for mentioning that it’s a spacious vehicle. My vehicle has a 2021 CX-5 and as was said, this Tiguan does dwarf the Mazda cargo capacity space wise.
VW is literally sitting on a gold mine with this car… I seriously SERIOUSLY think this thing could outsell everything IF, for future models and generations, they take the feedback and improve on it. If they are able to get back to physical controls, while stilling keeping the premium feel/tech of their infotainment, this thing could fly. Get rid of the piano black and add a model with Golf R speed. Quite literally the perfect daily. Feels like they’re so close to producing the perfect CUV and are teasing us…
Bought the 22 SEL R-line... love this vehicle... not built for speed but it is fast enough for my needs... Rural driving but I'll pass you if you're not doing 80 issues... drove it from Miami to the US/Canada border and did just fine at highway speeds
I LOVE the Tiguan but because it was so under-powered I had to pass. And like you pointed out, I hate the piano black slider controls. It's a senior thing I guess. I'm currently driving a 2019 VW Arteon SEL Premium R-Line with an APR+ Tune package. 359Hp w/ 348 lb/ft torque. Love it!
I absolutely regret never jumping into an Arteon when I was car shopping 2 years ago. I've been looking at them lately, love their looks and everything. Glad to see APR got a tune for it to proper levels of what that car should be having.
@@Zerkerr well think of it this way, if you get an Arteon now, it's much better than back a 2019 version. They gave the engine a different tune, so it now makes 300hp instead of 258 or whatever it was, and it has the 7spd dual clutch out the golf GTI, instead of the 8 speed automatic
VW's last gen infotainment is such a blessing here. They had it just right. Pour one out for the Golf fans. Side note: VW has seriously diluted the R badge, but corporate stinginess paid off in a way-- the EA888 motor has come a seriously long way since Gen 1.
@@krane15that can be said about many other manufactures at this price points too. Only difference is where they cut cost and where do you prefer the cost cutting has been applied to.
I am happy to own the 2022 R-line black edition as I heard you guys said good things about this 2022 Vw Tiguan and you guys are honest and good reviews , thanks
Gotta say, the EA 888 is a proven engine as well. All the hot hatch guys beat on those and tune them. They do really well if you just do about any maintenance :P
I’ve got a Mk 7 4Motion Sportwagen. When I was getting my GT3 the dealer gave me a Macan Base as a loaner to get to the hotel and back while they prepped the car. It drove like a Golf Mk 7 with Porsche paddles behind the steering wheel and a Porsche logo in the middle of the steering wheel.
I wasn’t a fan of VW until I bought my 19 Atlas. It has been probably one of my most favorite cars that I have owned. They do a great job. This was a solid breakdown!
Just be aware that repairs and maintenance are very expensive. You probably haven't hit that phase yet. I had a VW touareg for many years and I sunk so much money into that thing.
@@sappyjohnson totally get it. Hopefully it goes alright. It came with the 10 year warranty, fingers crossed that we don’t have to use that too Kuching.
In Europe, this model is the 3 row, long wheelbase Tiguan, which is equal in size to the Škoda Kodiaq with whom it shares a platform. The standard Tiguan, which is way more popular, is the same size with the CX-5 and just slightly shorter than the RAV4.
@@dilididli2274 Yes, that's the standard Tiguan, the bigger one is called Tiguan Allspace. You can check both of them on some VW euro website, for example the U.K. site. I would have linked it, but for some reason RUclips does not allow it, and deletes the comment. There is also the Škoda Kodiaq and the SEAT Tarraco. They are built on the same platform, and are the same size as the N.A Tiguan/Allspace.
It rips with a tune if anyone ever wants to take a bite of the forbidden fruit! Very reliable still with APR 93 Oct. tune. My wife is in absolute love with hers 😊
A stage 1 APR tune will do a lot to help this car in merging situations. 245 hp and 290 tq will make a noticeable difference over stock. I also noticed after doing a stage 1 tune to my EA888 engine that my MPG average increase by 2.
I think VW wins in terms of solidity/body structure in its price segment. Toyota may be next and Honda close. Not sure about Mazdas, they seem pretty well built, too. And VWs also ride well and in a European way. The interiors are kind of cold and the seats firm and such, but the solidity is what I like about VWs.
So, I only listen to you guys bc of your Boxster GTS 4 liter review, which I like a lot (like, 40x +). My BGTS is right now floating toward Port Houston so I will comment on your review after some time behind the wheel. But! Tiguan: I have owned one now for 6 weeks, a SE 4Motion. • You are right about the climate & infotainment controls - just awful - awful to live with - needs tactile buttons... forget about getting the fan speed or temperature where you want it while driving. • Right about the roominess which I like. The fit & finish is, I'd say, just average, plain vanilla. I bought it in Minneapolis & drove it home to Rapid City and man, that driver's seat got pretty hard after a while. • Gas mileage not great - the Tiguan is like a giant bread box on wheels, not especially aerodynamic, so that's to be expected. • Regarding your comparison to a Golf: I have owned 3 golfs: a '78 Rabbit, an '84 Rabbit GTI and a 2011 Golf TDI. I thoroughly loved them all. The Tiguan IS NO GOLF!! Not by a long shot. It handles ok for a giant bread box, but I take exception to any notion that it handles like a big Golf. • And the Drive Train is an utter failure: I do a fair amount of city driving in Rapid & the Tiguan is miserable on the accelerator & on the way the frikkin tranny shifts. It's jerky but never quite the same. I do not have any confidence in how the car will start from a stop sign or how the acceleration will go when changing lanes or other basic city driving maneuvers. I've tried every combination of drive modes... normal, ECO, Sport, Sport from pulling the shifter back. I turn off the engine start/stop button. It's very unsettling when the engine, like, stutters as I start and then lurches a second later, especially when I'm at a stop sign and, say, turning right. So I'm very exasperated by that. I liked the idea of the Tiguan but, unless the shop can remedy that drive train farce, it's not a car that I will keep.
Just bought one love it so far. For the sound system it's actually really good I disagree with what he said about it, it wasnt an accurate assessment. From a music producer perspective they did a great job fine tuning the sound system to fit the acoustics of the vehicle very nicely, it sounds very pleasant.
Love your channel and watch every video. One competitor you did not mention is the Subaru Forester. When shopping CUVs 3 years ago the Forester was the best option for us. Visibility is best in class. It’s like driving in a fishbowl. The seats were super comfortable for us, especially for my 5 foot wife. The rear seats were very spacious and offered heating and USB ports. AWD system is best in class and with a set of Michelin Cross Climate Plus a monster in the snow and still great on the highway. Handling and power train not the best, but totally fine at 3 to 5 tenths which is how my wife drives and VERY safe for my 17 year old son. This is not a car about fun. It’s all about practicality with reasonable comfort. Plus the resale values are amazing. Loves how the cx5 drives but the rear seat is unacceptable for teenagers and adults. FYI I keep a 2010 mx5 with modified suspension for when I want to have fun.
VW reps tells me that the issues have been resolved, corporate-speak for we are still working on those issues. oh yeah don't forget the timing chain "bicycle chain " issues- a great leased car!!
I still don't get VWs to test. They were all like, "call us when you're doing savagegeese numbers." And I'm all like, "how am I supposed to get there when I'm not talented or knowledgeable?" The nerve of some companies....
Just purchased the SE R-Line Black Edition which is one step down from this SEL…. I am 6’4” 240# and fit in it very well…. Throwing my weight in to bolster the discussion point I have read in countless reviews concerning getting on the highway… with one flick back on the shifter while in Drive, it switches to sport mode and even in Normal mode I have absolutely no issues reaching 75-80 mph before the end of the entrance ramp and have also had no issues overtaking morons that like to enter the highway at 40 mph 🤦🏻♂️ Very good review and just wanted to add my two cents on the acceleration comments as those seem to be universal across all reviewers
Well your 6'4 must be distributed must be a lot different than mine (I have long legs). Because comfort is not something I've never felt when sitting in a VW for long. I can tolerate it as a daily driver, but on road trips the seats were always way too limited for me not have an ache somewhere. Typically lumbar or knees. I'll be in the market for a new CUV this summer, and although I'll still look at the Tiguan, it unlikely it will be the car I actually drive away with.
This is VW’s best car now and like the GTI, they seem hell bent on ruining the steering wheel controls. These Tiguans are awesome to drive and especially nice for long trips. RAV4 is gruff as you state but feels more durable and something you don’t mind getting dirty. But the RAV4 actually handles as well believe it or not and is just as fast. The CX5 is Mazda’s cash cow for a reason and it amazes me how good it is still despite being the oldest of the three. For piece of mind though it’s hard not to love the naturally aspirated drive trains of the Mazda and Toyota. Funny that the Aisin 8 speed is shared by the RAV4 and Tiguan.
My brother and his wife were pro-Toyota for decades. That ended when his wife, an Avalon driver since 1998, saw the new one and was stunned on how Toyota screwed it up so badly. Somehow, they eneded up at the VW dealer and she saw the Arteon and was in love. They bought an SEL R-Line and it is really sleek. He traded his daily RAV4 for a Tiguan SEL R-Line and said similar things mentioned here. The structure feels far more substantial, the highway driving experience is borderline luxury car, and the space efficiency is great. I changed his oil for him(shockingly easy on a VW) and he was at about 48K trouble-free miles(he drives 105mi round trip per day).
The point is that after 5-7 years, you will need to repair the automatic gearbox and the turbo, which cost a lot. All previous Tiguan had this issue fact that doesnt give too much confidence in the new one. While the RAV4 has a spotless track record in the reliability subject.
@@sorinmiliescu valid points. But the avg buyer these days aren't keeping vehicles much past warranty. Reliability is a key metric, but daily ownership matters too.
I leased a 2022 Tiguan SE at the end of last year for the sign and drive event after my B8 S4 decided it wanted to unalive itself. I got a SE as I wanted the standard buttons on the steering wheel but I absolutely hate the haptic controls on the HVAC and the only way to get a standard hvac controls is on the base and I wanted to safety features on the car. Overall, it’s a good car, it’s my wife’s daily and I took back over my tdi wagon. Overall, it’s a decent car. My only complaint is that you sit too high in the drivers seat and it doesn’t go down low enough to fix it.
I don't think I've ever seen or heard an EA888 engine perform so milquetoast. The mild tuning combined with the curb weight of the Tiguan really neuters a normally great engine. Though given the the segment it competes in it's probably class leading in terms of refinement and usable torque so I wouldn't say it is lacking. But I'll be 'that guy' and say it needs an APR tune to make it acceptable; 245 hp, 290 lb/ft on 93 vs. 184 hp, 221 lb/ft on stock 87 tune. On an E85 tune its 265 hp/311 lb/ft. These figures go to show how much power VW left on the table for the Tiguan (APR stage 1[91-93 octane] is quite safe and reliable but likely warrantee busting).
Lol… exactly what i was thinking. Super underpowered. They were laughing at the 4runner being dinosaur slow… this is the same thing in different package
They may as well have kept the 1.8L around if they were gonna down tune the 2.0 so much. The 1.8L gets great mileage and still could have served as a tweener motor being just a lower stroke no exhaust VVT version of the 2.0 but then again, it's obvious it's cheaper to make one engine and tune it as you want to meet needed MPG's. That said, would it have killed them to offer a higher tune on the top trims? Prob could have made more sales that way on a higher margin product.
Down under I've got the 2020 TSI R-Line 4 Motion, and it's standard with 220 hp, 258 lb/ft. 7 speed DSG. That's plenty when you need it. Requires minimum 91 Octane here.
"Earlier models had problems with carbon build-up and water-pump issues, but I'm told that later models don't have any problems with those issues." I can see how VW may have corrected the water-pump issue, but how have they addressed the carbon build-up problem? They still use direct injection only, with no additional port injection. This remains a sure-fire recipe for carbon build-up.
Consumer Reports (CR) just rated the Tiguan one of the worst reliable SUVs for sale today, however, there's a clear disconnect with CRs survey results and all the positive owner comments/feedback below. Interesting. Nice review!
For crying out loud. Why the touch buttons? Why? It saves money per unit, but if they sell fewer units and hurts their reputation why is that a good thing? Please VW, admit the mis calculation and go back to your roots of analog buttons (which were exceptional)!
I’ve test-driven this. It’s not fast, but I was really impressed with its handling. Visibility, comfort and space are also very good. One odd thing is that it feels a bit narrow, even though the specs show that it’s about as wide as its competitors. Overall, it’s a really good family vehicle. Only question is reliability. VW has built probably millions of these by now, so hopefully they’ve fixed most potential issues.
To put things into perspective re: the engine, I am fairly sure this is the same EA888 that’s in my precious little rocket, the 2015 VW Polo GTI, the only difference being the increased capacity from 1.8 to 2.0. I can only say it is an excellent engine, and in a Polo it is insane in torque and power to weight ratio. That said, excellent quality videos, cheers from Europe.
If it weren't for ever changing CAFE requirements and the necessity for companies to keep chasing those MPG's, most of the vehicles in this segment would be sporting the 250 HP and 300 pound feet of torque that they really need.
We've had one for the last couple years and put 25k on it. It's great in terms of practical design, the roominess is unbeatable, and the snow performance is outstanding. However, we're trading in our lease for a Passport. The Tiguan consumes oil, it is vastly underpowered even on premium fuel - and after just a couple years it feels more worn and tired (and I don't drive it hard). VW dropped its warranty from 72k because the number of warranty claims after 50k was too expensive. With the Passport we're spending more, but we also getting a lot of space and that proven J engine. I thought about the Atlas, but honestly I don't have confidence in the reliability of VW products once they get towards 80k, and given the way things are going with car purchasing, the economy, war...whatever... I feel it's time to invest in a vehicle that will "outlast" whatever is to come.
I had a 2020 Tiguan and it burned up oil so fast. Every 4k miles, I had to add about a quart of oil. Tech said that it's normal for these cars to burn a quart of oil every 2k miles. I had issues with turbo lag where I would press on the gas and the car would not accelerate for 1-2 seconds. Brake pads and rotors burned out in 20k miles and everything is made out of plastic. I ended up trading this in and got my money back with the market value and got a Toyota 4Runner. Never buying another Volkswagen again.
Cross shopping this with CX5, CX9, Atlas, among others (not all the same size / price I know). Coming from a QX60 which just feels massive and numb to drive (has actual been a pretty good car other than driving feel and out of date tech, best seats ever and tons of space). Our other car is a GTI, really like the 1-2 punch of that and a crossover despite all the hate they get. Tiguan is really compelling, although the CX5 Carbon looks damn good with those seats.
I just got a 22 CX5 Carbon with the red leather. Everybody who gets in it says "Holy shit this thing is beautiful". It really is put together like a Swiss watch. And it does ride firmly, but super body control at all times, drives like a good sports sedan. Loving it.
I don't know mate, I recently got one and everyone at work say it looks stellar. May not be a hit with "Enthusiasts" but regular people seem to love it.
@@tylerreid1789 I suppose. I've always liked euro styling and black SUV's so the tig I got fits the bill rather nicely. When I looked at more "exciting" options, such as a 86, even though the HP was also low, insurance was still gonna bend me over because I'm a young guy. It's unfortunate.
Does the front passenger seat fold flat like on the old one? Than feature is actually super useful for carrying 8ft boards and other long things. Dedicated touch controls for the HVAC system are a complete waste and probably a deal breaker
Recently cross-shopped this and the CX5. Went into the VW store expecting to drive away in this (I had been in a good friend's 2021 R-Line and like the interior). It is much bigger than a CX5, that is true. Drove it, liked it. Then immediately drove a CX5. It stole my heart with the way it drove. I do a lot of driving for work and the softer seats (but firmer ride) and beautiful handling won me over. Ended up with a 2022 CX5 Kuro. The biggest deal breaker on the Tiguan for me was the horrendous capacitive/touch controls. They are beyond infuriating. I loved the 2021 interior with the physical buttons. But having that 2022 for an entire afternoon and trying to interact with them was so frustrating. That being said, the VW driver assistance suite is about 1000x better than that in ANY Mazda product. So if you are a shopper that values those features near the top of your list (which I personally do not), the VW is FAR superior in that regard and I am surprised that was not mentioned in this video.
As always LOVE your videos !!! ( Buy this, Lease this, at 59,999 miles, sell it , give it back, and RUN !!!!! ( my last VW at 18,000 miles started to leak coolant, and boost leaks later, ..... but amazing car to drive )
Powertrain-wise it looks like a downgraded version of a proper Tiguan sold in the EU. Old 180 hp and automatic instead of dual-injection 2.0 (190, 220 or 280 hp) and DSG. And you can opt for a conventional steering wheel with buttons. No wonder VW's are not popular in the US.
Your gen3 engines are more reliable than EU Tiguan. Also if DSG brakes - it takes 2-3 times more money to repair. Actually USA Tiguan is Skoda Kodiaq. EU Tiguan is smaller
As is often the case, especially with VW, what the US gets are the enlarged models designed with China in mind. The engines are often less powerful, but sometimes more reliable.
*Carbon build-up* - _Of course their late models don't have that problem...yet._ (It would be cool if they told you that they actually DID something about it.)
I really like it but VW is over for me after 2 cars that decided to chew their own head gaskets in less than 100k miles and with regular oil changes/maintenance. I’d take the RAV 4 any day.
I really love how concise your videos are! You manage to fit absolutely everything we need to know in 12 minutes. Some others can't do that in 25-30 minute videos. Keep up the great work guys! :)
It’s 12 minutes becasue they aren’t excited about the car:)
@@DWK33 lol
@@DWK33 well let’s be honest here who would want to have a 12 minute video about the GT4RS and a 25min video on a Tiguan instead ahah 😂
Others drag it out for more ad revenue.
Too bad these concise videos are being wasted on SUVs..
I love that you test the audio systems, and keep the manufacturers on the hook for that, and also the other cost-cutting areas that other review miss.
I find the older Fender units are very good value for the money - but he is right the bass can be a touch muddy depending on the song.
I bought a 22 Tiguan SE R-line black, 6 months ago. I’m not in any way disappointed with this vehicle. It’s super comfortable and really nice to drive. It’s not “fast” but it can get out of its own way just fine. The AWD makes it great in the snow. I personally think it’s nicer then the 22 Audi Q3 another family member of mine bought, although that’s debatable . I think the thought of it driving like a larger golf is spot on. I came from a ‘17 gti and that was my first thought of the tiguan.
Cargo space is amazing. I can fit 2 rear facing infant seats without having to adjust the front seats.
I think the gripes about the haptic controls are valid but it isn’t really as horrible as many are making it out to be. I lived through an Iowa winter with it and it’s not a huge deal. Time will tell how durable those piano black faces are.
I had the same feeling with a golf R. It felt very high quality, way better than what you expect for VW. It made me wonder why going to Audi.
I love mine also
Having just moved from a 19 Tiguan SEL-P to a 22 GTI, I have to agree that they pretty much nailed the pluses and minuses in this review.
My wife has a 2018 q3 last model of first gen, which we purchased new. It's been a good little car for her. She is petite and we only have one child. I test drove this 22 tiguan here in Canada highline r (top model as shown in video) vehicle surprised me. Has tons of cargo and the touch buttons, although annoying were not a deal breaker for me. The problem I had was the power. I am currently driving a 2010 x3 for the last 12 years and coming from a naturally aspirated inline 6 with 268hp to this. Night and day difference. Here in Canada I asked, however they are not bringing a tiguan r model like Europe 300hp+. Had this vehicle had 20-30 more torque and hp I would have purchased without a second thought. Even my wife's 2018 q3 with 200hp and torque was quicker. Probably due to thE wieght difference as well. An overall well built vehicle, just lacking thr bottom end to really make it shine.
Went to pick up my 22 SE-R black today and it was still in wrapping paper :(
I've had my Tiguan for two years and I absolutely love it. The ride and drivetrain performance are extraordinary. It has that "planted" feel on the road which makes it much easier to drive. And let's face it, it is much more attractive than the other CUV's out there.
I agree. Its a beautiful suv. Thinking of grabbing one for myself for the 2022 model.
Agree on my 2019!
Nicely said i agree
Just got my 2024 se yesterday and I love it. What Mark says about how solid it feels its absolutely on point. It drives really well and due to the torque in its intended use, thats city driving and commuting, it feels quite peppy.
I share your guys' disdain for CUVs/SUVs, but your reviews on everything are so darn good, I watch them all.
Same
I'll never understand this disdain
Crossovers are the perfect size for a single guy. Enough space to carry stuff, but small enough that it gets good gas mileage, is fun to drive, and easy to park.
@@wesleythompson451 I fully acknowledge that not everyone has the same needs as me, but single people used to have coupes or 3-door hatchbacks or small sedans and they made do. I've done small road trips with 4 adults in my FR-S, and it was fine so long as we stopped every hour or so to stretch our legs.
The problem I have with the industry trend to CUVs is that SUVs are right there if you need space, and CUVs are replacing the truly small cars that used to work just fine (and in reality, still do). Now everyone just sits higher and interior volumes haven't changed all that much.
@@HandsomeAlex25 I just moved from a hatchback to a crossover, and the space doubled. I'm not sure what you mean. I got exactly what I needed, which was some trunk space, a heavier vehicle for snow driving, a better seating position, so I can see past cars in front of me sometimes, and some rear passenger space for when I drive my friends around.
VW. Quality. Refined. Power that's relevant. We have 2 now.
I've always felt like if reliability wasn't a concern on these cars, or at least the stigma of reliability, VW should be selling way more of these. Definitely one of the most usable, refined CUVs in this segment for the money.
I say stigma because for the last ten years I believe these cars to be reliable with the proper maintenance. Cost of ownership still higher than your typical JDM picks though.
I’ve owned a 2020 Tiguan for over a year. Here are some of my experiences:
1. The interior is an amazing place to be; it is high quality and comfortable.
2. Highway MPG is great, I got around 31-34 when mostly using highways.
Now I ended up getting rid of it due to some headaches:
1. Rattles in the cabin.
2. Constant service trips. Sunglasses holder broke several times. Suspension creak when going over bumps. Factory fit and finish issues.
This car is very well thought out. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to have been screwed on well. I don’t miss it like it miss my MK4 VR6 Jetta
If you've ever owned a well-built, reliable, cheap-to-repair car from the Japanese brands, it's hard living with a VW. Stuff constantly goes wrong and is weirdly expensive to repair if not covered by warranty. It's too bad, because the VWs drive so nicely.
Hmmm so different than mine. I have a 2019 and it feels screwed well excellent and feels like a tank- very quiet. Sorry your experience was crappy
@@TheDaltonNetwork absolutely correct, I usually get Mazdas but have leased 2 VW’s. Fortunately I don’t put lots of miles on mine so I haven’t run into any bad experiences or poorly made VW’s at least during my lease periods.
Sounds like your Tiguan was Mexican.
The issue with this segment is its incredibly over saturated and they're all so close. It's really a question of "does it give you the fuel economy you want" and "do you like the interior" because that's what's selling 99% of these. Anything else is just a bonus
Big surprise, generic cars are generic. Is there a huge difference between a 1997 Camry, Accord, Maxima? Was there a huge difference between the Ford Explorer and the Chevy Trailblazer at the same time? No, they're appliances, not everyone wants their economy car to have supercharger whine and carbon fiber accents. Most people, believe it or not, are not so devoid of personality that they feel they need their car to say, "hey, aren't I interesting? aren't I someone special? mommy loved me best."
Canadian buyer here, bought the 22 Tiguan Comfortline R-Line (Your SE R line with some difference like the nicer digital gauge screen and AWD standard) and absolutely love it. Whenever I drive people around in it like friends and family, they always remark about how comfortable it is. My dad said it was like riding in a limo. Personally, mine came from the factory, never driven on the road or test driven and I paid to have it sprayed top to bottom to prevent rust as we use lots of road salt here. Having driven it in some nasty weather it felt very sturdy and I had complete confidence in it to perform. People will harp on the Horse power numbers, but really it doesn't feel slow. For me, I loved the German design elements and styling and it's an absolutely pleasant and smooth cruiser. I'm not out here trying to win stop light street races. It does get the suggest MPG for AWD for me, but I have pushed it further with very smooth accelerations and stops. I got the all blacked out Tig and people honestly think it costs more than it did.
Let me just say this though, because every car reviewer hates this about the Tig... I actually like the Steering wheel and HVAC controls. Perhaps because I'm an Zoomer (mid 20's) but I like the way it lights up and looks and I've never had difficulties operating it. Everything about it made sense for me to use on a daily basis but I get it's a personal preference thing.
Another thing to note. My purchase came with Sirius satellite radio... Please VW let us opt out of this. I don't want it, Spotify is better and I already have it. Sirius will not stop calling me to purchase since the trial ended. (Which I didn't use once)
Hi, VW fan from BC, mind if sharing the maintenance/service cost of 22 Tiguan? Thanks.
Does your Suv have a block heater already🎉 when you brought it?
Love my Tiguan 1.5 petrol DSG 2021 regular size 5 seater. Smooth, comfortable, spacious. It really is a work of art. The haptics temp controls are fine for me; I don't understand why everyone gripes about them. It's a car that grows on you the more you drive it and it really becomes part of the family.
I just bought one recently and love it. We test-drove a CX-5 fully anticipating to drive away in one, but were surprised at how firm the handling was. That's great if you want sporty handling, but it felt like driving a jackhammer. The Tiguan in comparison felt like driving on a couch. Can't recommend it enough to anyone cross-shopping the two if you prefer lighter and more comfortable handling.
I liked the CX5 cuz it gives a bit more feedback on what the cars doing. Also the seats in the CX5 is much better than the Tiguan, at least from my experience
Hopefully, you lease it. Only a fool wants to own a VW after the warranty expires.
Just lease it though. I would rather have slightly firm suspension than have to deal with a TSI + DSG out of warranty.
I just did opposite. Funny. I want s cst thst last 20 Years. Wirh a Volkswagen, never possible
I wanted to like the CX5 but I want a daily driver to be isolated not sporty. The CX5 is beautiful but the Bose stereo was poor, front seat bottoms too short, overall too small, and too much NVH from the front for my liking.
VW fixed the EA888 lineup in 2014 with the gen3 introduction, so I feel like they've been good engines as of late. Good torque down low makes the engines fun to drive with
Engines are rarely a problem amymore. That VW was having problems was unusual, as most makes don't. It's all the other stuff that breaks down, not the engines.
@@markmiller3279 yeah , exactly , even in most cars its more all the bullshit gizmos that break down before the engine , even german cars. The tiguan engine has been perfected over the last 21 year since the 2.0t launched in 2001 , may of been earlier
@@georgehugeabutt9947 dude are you high? The Tiguan has not been out for 21 years, nor had the EA888
Feels like a small diesel in a lot of ways, it does pull off the bottom and makes it really drive able around town
@@markmiller3279 When it comes to VAG engines there has been problems with a lot of the petrol engines.
1.4 and 2.0 mainly, but also the 1.2.
The 2.0 TFSI in the Audi A4/A5 B8 was very much to stay clear from.
Heck! Change gas, refill oil is a classic VAG joke for a reason.
Love the cross-comparison!
Very, very helpful.
Thank you guys for more great work.
It's amazing how much you guys make me enjoy reviews for vehicles I have no interest in. Informative, entertaining, and immaculately produced.
Our 2019 Tiguan SEL 4Motion has been pretty fantastic overall. It's a very comfortable car that does everything pretty well. 40k miles and no issues to speak of as of yet. Having a full warranty until 72k helps quite a bit as well! :)
Own the same Tiguan in the same trim with just over 40k miles. Also no issues and super pleased about the warranty.
Also have a 2019 VW with no isseus. 6yr/72K warranty definitely provides great peace of mind
Exactly the same experience. 2019 SEL 4Motion with close to 50k miles. Zero issues, been a great ride so far. Glad mine older so as to avoid the new crappy buttons and lack thereof!
Exactly the same
I just picked up a 22 Mazda CX-5 Signature, I was a 25 year Audi/ VW guy, I looked the other way at reliability since I did the majority of my own service, but my 2014 A4 was a pile from the moment it hit 50K, carbon build-up, bad ZF trans, bad injector, then the all too familiar timing chain jump. I faithfully changed oils at 5K, plugs at 30K, but when it started to devour Liqui-Moly 2.5 quarts per 1000 miles…..I was done. VAG makes great looking and driving cars, but never again.
Same experience for me with my Audi. In a Lexus now.
Yep sounds about right. Similar experience on my s4.
To keep it runing, you needed to clean a oil pickup hose mesh found when you remove your oil pan. That is the main issue with all TSI,TSFI engines. Your engine didn't get the lubrication or coolling effect from oil and that is why starts burning oil and has all that soot.
@@budalanemac3115 Thanks, never knew that, I had a 2.8 2V A4 Quat for 23 years, that car was never an issue, the newer 2014 always had something.
@@randyp6370 Reason for that is a stupid design. Older enginis are 10xbetter then new ones.
Now a CUV to end the week!! Nothing will make me feel better about this crappy wintry mix we are getting in April, than watching another CUV review!! LIFE IS GOOD!!
It’s such a surreal experience! It makes me wanna get a tattoo that says “My other car is a Hyundai Tucson”
My wife recently bought a brand new Tiguan R-line in white and absolutely loves it. It’s an SE but has 4-motion optioned on it. The R-line is definitely the better looking trim especially with the black wheels.
I love this channel , they tell you everything you need to hear and nothing you don’t . Then in the end they say see you soon , they don’t tell you to subscribe and like 😂👍🏼
Bought my ‘22 Tiguan SE FWD in December to replace a ‘17 Golf that was getting high in mileage. Agree that overall it drives very smooth and feels very solid, which is why I like VW’s. Engine isn’t very exciting, but once you get going it’s fine, and very capable on the highway. Have been averaging 26 mpg in mixed driving. So far no issues. One other advantage was not having to pay over MSRP like many of the Tiguan’s competitors.
I've had a 2014 GLI with Fender speakers and now I have the 22 Tiguan Highline. The sound system is better than this guy says in my opinion.
Here is why this is a better SUV. You can drop it an inch with H&R Sport Springs, and then you can go out and get you a nice set of BBS or VMR wheels, and add on some Michelin Pilot Sports on it, and it will look every bit as good as a Audi SQ5 or BMW X5 at half the price. I did those mods to mine, and it's amazing how many people stop me to ask "wow, what kind of SUV is that?" And they are blown away when I tell them how little I paid for it compared to what it looks like.
Maintenance on VW/Audi requires a generous repair budget. Especially if the engine bay is full of plastic parts that go bad quickly. They make nice cars but it'll be nice if they added some reliability in the mix.
Would you say this is still true for the newer VW models? I’m seriously considering the newer Tiguan but really turned off by the reliability
I have a Mk7 R ('17) with 55k on the clock (its tuned and I drive the piss out of it but with the utmost mechanical sympathy). I had the clutch go bad at 8,600 miles (common issue, the OEM is made of velcro and cannot handle a tune), the thermostat housings crack and leak extremely slowly (you will never see wetness as it evaporate off too fast) I got mine replaced under warranty because I could smell coolant. I have done a front wheel bearing (also common on MQB VWs) as well. That is all, it has otherwise been dead reliable and none of those things left me stranded. I did the clutch myself for $600 in parts and I think the wheel bearing cost like $25. All told not too bad.
@@flacjacket my mustang has as many miles as your R and I have had literally 0 maintenance issues. What you’ve been put through is ridiculous and should be totally unacceptable.
@@d4nvu While VW may be cracking mid-tier in reliability for compact cars, Consumer Reports has their small SUVs (Tiguan and Taos) solidly AT THE BOTTOM of their respective categories in Reliability based on non-biased info from the last three years.
@@flacjacket that’s not a good track record for any car with 55k miles. I understand yours is tuned but to fry any clutch in that mileage unless you tripled the horsepower……and a thermostat and wheel bearing too.
You guys do great, informative reviews. I'm also happy you also touch on the quality of the audio systems which other journalists tend to ignore or don't care/understand audio quality.
I bought a 2022 Tiguan SEL Premium R-Line last month and I am IN LOVE!!! I also have a Honda Civic Type R and I can honestly say the interior on the Tiguan is much nicer.
I have one and have 0 regrets you definitely get what you pay for want more pay more simple 💯
That transition at 0:29 was truly beautiful.
Just purchased this exact model, trim and color, though with a black interior. I'm in love with it, and can say this review nailed it. The less than perfect audio can be drastically helped by adjusting the bass, mid, and treble. The haptic steering wheel and climate sliders bother me less than I thought they would. It looks fantastic and handles really well. I can be a professional, new dad in this, doing runs to costco without spending over 40k. I think it would crush the rav4 if there was a hybrid trim with a bit more power.
How has your Tig been after 1 year? Have one like this on order. Thanks!
@rteitel1974 it's been good! It's a solid tank but handles very well. The only issue is the acceleration while the engine is cold is very jerky if you're not careful. But once it's warmed up that goes away. I wish the drives seat went lower. Otherwise it's beautiful, has AWD, lots on interior space without looking big on the outside. Doesn't get the gas mileage of honda crv or other cuv's with CVT transmissions, but not bad at 30 on the highway and 27 mpg long term avg. In sport mode it can feel quite fast off the line but doesn't have a lot of power at speed (184 hp). Wish it had more power and could tow more than 1500lbs. That's about it!
Thanks for the report. Mine arrives at the dealership this Saturday. It was a tough decision due to the lack of power. My thought is that if the lack of power bothers me, I can always get an inexpensive stage 1 tune. I just think this design will age well and so many cars these days look of the time.@@jchaps1
@rteitel1974 I agree the design will age well. And I was also looking at the apr ecu tune that adds 25% more HP for 500$. But I'm going to wait until my warranty expires before I do that. That tune also fixes the non linear throttle issue and deactivates the engine start/stop as default upon start up. So absolutely worth every penny, it just voids your power train warranty.
@@jchaps1 I got my Tig finally and honestly the lack of power doesn't bother me. Gorgeous color! The APR stage 1 tune won't necessarily negate the powertrain warranty. I'm going to wait a few months to get it though to see how the car plays out regarding oil consumption.
When your serious, you both do a great job!
I bought the 2018 VW Tiguan SE plus special fog lights for my wife . She likes it so much. The water pump out around 36,000 miles under warranty. Cargo area and third row seats are the down side. Very good gas mileage on freeway.
I did a price&build R-Line which came to $40k. Nice car. My concern is cost after the warranty ends.
I just made my son with that intro music
Hot stud alert!
this is the first time ive seen jack not disappointed by a people mover SUV
I owned one of these. I wish Jack would have mentioned that the 2nd row bench slides back & forth 6”. But thanks for mentioning that it’s a spacious vehicle. My vehicle has a 2021 CX-5 and as was said, this Tiguan does dwarf the Mazda cargo capacity space wise.
1. Sexiest music & opening for a long while
2. Great comparison
3. Live Laugh Love
VW is literally sitting on a gold mine with this car… I seriously SERIOUSLY think this thing could outsell everything IF, for future models and generations, they take the feedback and improve on it. If they are able to get back to physical controls, while stilling keeping the premium feel/tech of their infotainment, this thing could fly. Get rid of the piano black and add a model with Golf R speed. Quite literally the perfect daily. Feels like they’re so close to producing the perfect CUV and are teasing us…
Bought the 22 SEL R-line... love this vehicle... not built for speed but it is fast enough for my needs... Rural driving but I'll pass you if you're not doing 80 issues... drove it from Miami to the US/Canada border and did just fine at highway speeds
Not a fan of SUV's but this is one of the best looking.
We love our 2020 Tiguan!
I LOVE the Tiguan but because it was so under-powered I had to pass. And like you pointed out, I hate the piano black slider controls. It's a senior thing I guess. I'm currently driving a 2019 VW Arteon SEL Premium R-Line with an APR+ Tune package. 359Hp w/ 348 lb/ft torque. Love it!
Those Arteons are pretty cool
I absolutely regret never jumping into an Arteon when I was car shopping 2 years ago. I've been looking at them lately, love their looks and everything. Glad to see APR got a tune for it to proper levels of what that car should be having.
@@Zerkerr well think of it this way, if you get an Arteon now, it's much better than back a 2019 version.
They gave the engine a different tune, so it now makes 300hp instead of 258 or whatever it was, and it has the 7spd dual clutch out the golf GTI, instead of the 8 speed automatic
Passed here for lack of power and my wife said “it looks like a minivan.”
VW's last gen infotainment is such a blessing here. They had it just right. Pour one out for the Golf fans. Side note: VW has seriously diluted the R badge, but corporate stinginess paid off in a way-- the EA888 motor has come a seriously long way since Gen 1.
Volkswagen products are dope asf prior to contrary belief. And this Tiguan is no exception. Comfortable and good driving SUVs.
But a lot of very cheap materials and low cost saving bit that show.
@@krane15that can be said about many other manufactures at this price points too. Only difference is where they cut cost and where do you prefer the cost cutting has been applied to.
What, an interior review by Jack without the term 'noise floor' being dropped? That's his trademark!
And perceived quality?
Shut up guys I am telling my mom.
Surprised you guys liked it so much ! Says a lot
Carmakers almost always get it right by the time its on its last years.
I feel like this is a channel that both the viewers and brand sponsors can be proud of
I am happy to own the 2022 R-line black edition as I heard you guys said good things about this 2022 Vw Tiguan and you guys are honest and good reviews , thanks
Gotta say, the EA 888 is a proven engine as well. All the hot hatch guys beat on those and tune them.
They do really well if you just do about any maintenance :P
I’ve got a Mk 7 4Motion Sportwagen. When I was getting my GT3 the dealer gave me a Macan Base as a loaner to get to the hotel and back while they prepped the car. It drove like a Golf Mk 7 with Porsche paddles behind the steering wheel and a Porsche logo in the middle of the steering wheel.
I wasn’t a fan of VW until I bought my 19 Atlas. It has been probably one of my most favorite cars that I have owned. They do a great job. This was a solid breakdown!
Just be aware that repairs and maintenance are very expensive. You probably haven't hit that phase yet. I had a VW touareg for many years and I sunk so much money into that thing.
@@sappyjohnson Not true anymore. (Still more expensive, but..) lots of VW parts are made in Mexico and can be found cheap.
@@android175 well that’s good to hear. Just to replace brakes and tires would cost me around $4000
@@sappyjohnson my god. My GTI was $600 for tires and $130 for both front brakes… the dealers are ripoffs.. (assuming u went to one)
@@sappyjohnson totally get it. Hopefully it goes alright. It came with the 10 year warranty, fingers crossed that we don’t have to use that too Kuching.
Loved the music in the start
The Fender setup must have changed because the original, at least in the golf, was fantastic for the price.
In Europe, this model is the 3 row, long wheelbase Tiguan, which is equal in size to the Škoda Kodiaq with whom it shares a platform. The standard Tiguan, which is way more popular, is the same size with the CX-5 and just slightly shorter than the RAV4.
The NA Tiguane is still 6inch longer then the CX5 and simply feel way bigger. Europe have a shorter version ?
@@dilididli2274 Yes, that's the standard Tiguan, the bigger one is called Tiguan Allspace. You can check both of them on some VW euro website, for example the U.K. site. I would have linked it, but for some reason RUclips does not allow it, and deletes the comment. There is also the Škoda Kodiaq and the SEAT Tarraco. They are built on the same platform, and are the same size as the N.A Tiguan/Allspace.
@@dilididli2274 With a 300 hp Tiguan R.
@@Ce0ammer Yeah, so sad we can't have it in north america.
These cars drive extremely nice. Peppy and very solid feeling. I drove a couple 2018 Tiguans on different occasions and really enjoyed it.
I love VW Tiguan. My new 2022 red one arrives tomorrow.
Really happy to see a Jack video again.
When he adjusted the temperature without a button or knob is all I needed to know. CX5 it is!
You better not buy a smart phone too. There is no knob it😂😅😊
I don't operate a cellphone screen while driving, its illegal for good reason.@@zenchito6732
It rips with a tune if anyone ever wants to take a bite of the forbidden fruit! Very reliable still with APR 93 Oct. tune. My wife is in absolute love with hers 😊
You have the apr for the 2022?
A stage 1 APR tune will do a lot to help this car in merging situations. 245 hp and 290 tq will make a noticeable difference over stock. I also noticed after doing a stage 1 tune to my EA888 engine that my MPG average increase by 2.
Where did you do that? :) how much does it cost? Asking for a friend 😊
I think VW wins in terms of solidity/body structure in its price segment. Toyota may be next and Honda close. Not sure about Mazdas, they seem pretty well built, too. And VWs also ride well and in a European way. The interiors are kind of cold and the seats firm and such, but the solidity is what I like about VWs.
So, I only listen to you guys bc of your Boxster GTS 4 liter review, which I like a lot (like, 40x +). My BGTS is right now floating toward Port Houston so I will comment on your review after some time behind the wheel. But! Tiguan: I have owned one now for 6 weeks, a SE 4Motion.
• You are right about the climate & infotainment controls - just awful - awful to live with - needs tactile buttons... forget about getting the fan speed or temperature where you want it while driving.
• Right about the roominess which I like. The fit & finish is, I'd say, just average, plain vanilla. I bought it in Minneapolis & drove it home to Rapid City and man, that driver's seat got pretty hard after a while.
• Gas mileage not great - the Tiguan is like a giant bread box on wheels, not especially aerodynamic, so that's to be expected.
• Regarding your comparison to a Golf: I have owned 3 golfs: a '78 Rabbit, an '84 Rabbit GTI and a 2011 Golf TDI. I thoroughly loved them all. The Tiguan IS NO GOLF!! Not by a long shot. It handles ok for a giant bread box, but I take exception to any notion that it handles like a big Golf.
• And the Drive Train is an utter failure: I do a fair amount of city driving in Rapid & the Tiguan is miserable on the accelerator & on the way the frikkin tranny shifts. It's jerky but never quite the same. I do not have any confidence in how the car will start from a stop sign or how the acceleration will go when changing lanes or other basic city driving maneuvers. I've tried every combination of drive modes... normal, ECO, Sport, Sport from pulling the shifter back. I turn off the engine start/stop button. It's very unsettling when the engine, like, stutters as I start and then lurches a second later, especially when I'm at a stop sign and, say, turning right. So I'm very exasperated by that.
I liked the idea of the Tiguan but, unless the shop can remedy that drive train farce, it's not a car that I will keep.
Just bought one love it so far. For the sound system it's actually really good I disagree with what he said about it, it wasnt an accurate assessment. From a music producer perspective they did a great job fine tuning the sound system to fit the acoustics of the vehicle very nicely, it sounds very pleasant.
Trying to seduce the crowd from the start fellas 😂
CURSE YOU AJ! I wanted to be first.
Love your channel and watch every video. One competitor you did not mention is the Subaru Forester. When shopping CUVs 3 years ago the Forester was the best option for us. Visibility is best in class. It’s like driving in a fishbowl. The seats were super comfortable for us, especially for my 5 foot wife. The rear seats were very spacious and offered heating and USB ports. AWD system is best in class and with a set of Michelin Cross Climate Plus a monster in the snow and still great on the highway. Handling and power train not the best, but totally fine at 3 to 5 tenths which is how my wife drives and VERY safe for my 17 year old son. This is not a car about fun. It’s all about practicality with reasonable comfort. Plus the resale values are amazing. Loves how the cx5 drives but the rear seat is unacceptable for teenagers and adults.
FYI I keep a 2010 mx5 with modified suspension for when I want to have fun.
VW reps tells me that the issues have been resolved, corporate-speak for we are still working on those issues. oh yeah don't forget the timing chain "bicycle chain " issues- a great leased car!!
I still don't get VWs to test. They were all like, "call us when you're doing savagegeese numbers." And I'm all like, "how am I supposed to get there when I'm not talented or knowledgeable?" The nerve of some companies....
Just purchased the SE R-Line Black Edition which is one step down from this SEL…. I am 6’4” 240# and fit in it very well…. Throwing my weight in to bolster the discussion point I have read in countless reviews concerning getting on the highway… with one flick back on the shifter while in Drive, it switches to sport mode and even in Normal mode I have absolutely no issues reaching 75-80 mph before the end of the entrance ramp and have also had no issues overtaking morons that like to enter the highway at 40 mph 🤦🏻♂️
Very good review and just wanted to add my two cents on the acceleration comments as those seem to be universal across all reviewers
Well your 6'4 must be distributed must be a lot different than mine (I have long legs). Because comfort is not something I've never felt when sitting in a VW for long. I can tolerate it as a daily driver, but on road trips the seats were always way too limited for me not have an ache somewhere. Typically lumbar or knees.
I'll be in the market for a new CUV this summer, and although I'll still look at the Tiguan, it unlikely it will be the car I actually drive away with.
The engine is the big plus over the competition.
This is VW’s best car now and like the GTI, they seem hell bent on ruining the steering wheel controls. These Tiguans are awesome to drive and especially nice for long trips. RAV4 is gruff as you state but feels more durable and something you don’t mind getting dirty. But the RAV4 actually handles as well believe it or not and is just as fast. The CX5 is Mazda’s cash cow for a reason and it amazes me how good it is still despite being the oldest of the three. For piece of mind though it’s hard not to love the naturally aspirated drive trains of the Mazda and Toyota. Funny that the Aisin 8 speed is shared by the RAV4 and Tiguan.
Another very useful review.
My brother and his wife were pro-Toyota for decades. That ended when his wife, an Avalon driver since 1998, saw the new one and was stunned on how Toyota screwed it up so badly. Somehow, they eneded up at the VW dealer and she saw the Arteon and was in love. They bought an SEL R-Line and it is really sleek. He traded his daily RAV4 for a Tiguan SEL R-Line and said similar things mentioned here. The structure feels far more substantial, the highway driving experience is borderline luxury car, and the space efficiency is great. I changed his oil for him(shockingly easy on a VW) and he was at about 48K trouble-free miles(he drives 105mi round trip per day).
The point is that after 5-7 years, you will need to repair the automatic gearbox and the turbo, which cost a lot. All previous Tiguan had this issue fact that doesnt give too much confidence in the new one. While the RAV4 has a spotless track record in the reliability subject.
@@sorinmiliescu valid points. But the avg buyer these days aren't keeping vehicles much past warranty. Reliability is a key metric, but daily ownership matters too.
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I leased a 2022 Tiguan SE at the end of last year for the sign and drive event after my B8 S4 decided it wanted to unalive itself. I got a SE as I wanted the standard buttons on the steering wheel but I absolutely hate the haptic controls on the HVAC and the only way to get a standard hvac controls is on the base and I wanted to safety features on the car. Overall, it’s a good car, it’s my wife’s daily and I took back over my tdi wagon. Overall, it’s a decent car. My only complaint is that you sit too high in the drivers seat and it doesn’t go down low enough to fix it.
I don't think I've ever seen or heard an EA888 engine perform so milquetoast. The mild tuning combined with the curb weight of the Tiguan really neuters a normally great engine. Though given the the segment it competes in it's probably class leading in terms of refinement and usable torque so I wouldn't say it is lacking. But I'll be 'that guy' and say it needs an APR tune to make it acceptable; 245 hp, 290 lb/ft on 93 vs. 184 hp, 221 lb/ft on stock 87 tune. On an E85 tune its 265 hp/311 lb/ft. These figures go to show how much power VW left on the table for the Tiguan (APR stage 1[91-93 octane] is quite safe and reliable but likely warrantee busting).
Bro it's a Tiguan
Nobody that buys this vehicle needs more power so badly that they are willing to void a new car's warranty to get it.
Lol… exactly what i was thinking. Super underpowered. They were laughing at the 4runner being dinosaur slow… this is the same thing in different package
They may as well have kept the 1.8L around if they were gonna down tune the 2.0 so much. The 1.8L gets great mileage and still could have served as a tweener motor being just a lower stroke no exhaust VVT version of the 2.0 but then again, it's obvious it's cheaper to make one engine and tune it as you want to meet needed MPG's. That said, would it have killed them to offer a higher tune on the top trims? Prob could have made more sales that way on a higher margin product.
Down under I've got the 2020 TSI R-Line 4 Motion, and it's standard with 220 hp, 258 lb/ft. 7 speed DSG. That's plenty when you need it. Requires minimum 91 Octane here.
"Earlier models had problems with carbon build-up and water-pump issues, but I'm told that later models don't have any problems with those issues."
I can see how VW may have corrected the water-pump issue, but how have they addressed the carbon build-up problem? They still use direct injection only, with no additional port injection. This remains a sure-fire recipe for carbon build-up.
Consumer Reports (CR) just rated the Tiguan one of the worst reliable SUVs for sale today, however, there's a clear disconnect with CRs survey results and all the positive owner comments/feedback below. Interesting. Nice review!
For crying out loud. Why the touch buttons? Why? It saves money per unit, but if they sell fewer units and hurts their reputation why is that a good thing?
Please VW, admit the mis calculation and go back to your roots of analog buttons (which were exceptional)!
100% agreed. Touch sensitive steering wheel buttons and climate control is a hard pass from me.
Is it true they fired the guy responsible for putting haptic feedback interfaces in all new VW products?
I’ve test-driven this. It’s not fast, but I was really impressed with its handling.
Visibility, comfort and space are also very good.
One odd thing is that it feels a bit narrow, even though the specs show that it’s about as wide as its competitors.
Overall, it’s a really good family vehicle. Only question is reliability. VW has built probably millions of these by now, so hopefully they’ve fixed most potential issues.
It’s also great looking both in photos and in person.
a perfect review
I wish they offer PHEV version in the US. Sigh
To put things into perspective re: the engine, I am fairly sure this is the same EA888 that’s in my precious little rocket, the 2015 VW Polo GTI, the only difference being the increased capacity from 1.8 to 2.0. I can only say it is an excellent engine, and in a Polo it is insane in torque and power to weight ratio.
That said, excellent quality videos, cheers from Europe.
Jack your not suppose to wear "blue jeans" on white leather seats!
If it weren't for ever changing CAFE requirements and the necessity for companies to keep chasing those MPG's, most of the vehicles in this segment would be sporting the 250 HP and 300 pound feet of torque that they really need.
might get rid of my gti for the tiguan next year, more space would be great and 4motion in NY would be great and mor features
We've had one for the last couple years and put 25k on it. It's great in terms of practical design, the roominess is unbeatable, and the snow performance is outstanding. However, we're trading in our lease for a Passport. The Tiguan consumes oil, it is vastly underpowered even on premium fuel - and after just a couple years it feels more worn and tired (and I don't drive it hard). VW dropped its warranty from 72k because the number of warranty claims after 50k was too expensive. With the Passport we're spending more, but we also getting a lot of space and that proven J engine. I thought about the Atlas, but honestly I don't have confidence in the reliability of VW products once they get towards 80k, and given the way things are going with car purchasing, the economy, war...whatever... I feel it's time to invest in a vehicle that will "outlast" whatever is to come.
I had a 2020 Tiguan and it burned up oil so fast. Every 4k miles, I had to add about a quart of oil. Tech said that it's normal for these cars to burn a quart of oil every 2k miles. I had issues with turbo lag where I would press on the gas and the car would not accelerate for 1-2 seconds. Brake pads and rotors burned out in 20k miles and everything is made out of plastic. I ended up trading this in and got my money back with the market value and got a Toyota 4Runner. Never buying another Volkswagen again.
Cross shopping this with CX5, CX9, Atlas, among others (not all the same size / price I know). Coming from a QX60 which just feels massive and numb to drive (has actual been a pretty good car other than driving feel and out of date tech, best seats ever and tons of space). Our other car is a GTI, really like the 1-2 punch of that and a crossover despite all the hate they get.
Tiguan is really compelling, although the CX5 Carbon looks damn good with those seats.
I just got a 22 CX5 Carbon with the red leather. Everybody who gets in it says "Holy shit this thing is beautiful". It really is put together like a Swiss watch. And it does ride firmly, but super body control at all times, drives like a good sports sedan. Loving it.
They put seductive music on because the Tiguan itself is about as seductive as a scrotum infection.
You Sir are the reason for the current mess that is in my underpants.
"Scrotum Infection"....the name of my next Heavy Metal Band.
I don't know mate, I recently got one and everyone at work say it looks stellar. May not be a hit with "Enthusiasts" but regular people seem to love it.
@@Albus_Rex Im sure its a good car, just not at all interesting or exciting.
@@tylerreid1789 I suppose. I've always liked euro styling and black SUV's so the tig I got fits the bill rather nicely. When I looked at more "exciting" options, such as a 86, even though the HP was also low, insurance was still gonna bend me over because I'm a young guy. It's unfortunate.
It's rare that the German is the one offering more interior space than the Japanese rivals.
Isn’t it the opposite?
Taos, Tiguan, Jetta, Passat (no longer made) Atlas, all have more interior space than their Japanese competitors.
Does the front passenger seat fold flat like on the old one? Than feature is actually super useful for carrying 8ft boards and other long things. Dedicated touch controls for the HVAC system are a complete waste and probably a deal breaker
IMO Toyota's interior always seems dated even in new vehicles compared to their competitors.
Its it, that's why its being updated this year.
Recently cross-shopped this and the CX5. Went into the VW store expecting to drive away in this (I had been in a good friend's 2021 R-Line and like the interior). It is much bigger than a CX5, that is true. Drove it, liked it. Then immediately drove a CX5. It stole my heart with the way it drove. I do a lot of driving for work and the softer seats (but firmer ride) and beautiful handling won me over. Ended up with a 2022 CX5 Kuro. The biggest deal breaker on the Tiguan for me was the horrendous capacitive/touch controls. They are beyond infuriating. I loved the 2021 interior with the physical buttons. But having that 2022 for an entire afternoon and trying to interact with them was so frustrating. That being said, the VW driver assistance suite is about 1000x better than that in ANY Mazda product. So if you are a shopper that values those features near the top of your list (which I personally do not), the VW is FAR superior in that regard and I am surprised that was not mentioned in this video.
Mazda and "tech" is basically... sadly.
@@savagegeese Yup. Love the brand but they are a tad slow on those sorts of things...
Great overview guys, thank you!
As always LOVE your videos !!! ( Buy this, Lease this, at 59,999 miles, sell it , give it back, and RUN !!!!! ( my last VW at 18,000 miles started to leak coolant, and boost leaks later, ..... but amazing car to drive )
Powertrain-wise it looks like a downgraded version of a proper Tiguan sold in the EU. Old 180 hp and automatic instead of dual-injection 2.0 (190, 220 or 280 hp) and DSG. And you can opt for a conventional steering wheel with buttons.
No wonder VW's are not popular in the US.
If memory serves, the us never got dual injection
People in the US seem to really like a conventional automatic. Feels more “normal” and lower maintenance costs.
Your gen3 engines are more reliable than EU Tiguan. Also if DSG brakes - it takes 2-3 times more money to repair.
Actually USA Tiguan is Skoda Kodiaq. EU Tiguan is smaller
As is often the case, especially with VW, what the US gets are the enlarged models designed with China in mind. The engines are often less powerful, but sometimes more reliable.
The U.S. market has been an afterthought to VW for decades.
*Carbon build-up* - _Of course their late models don't have that problem...yet._
(It would be cool if they told you that they actually DID something about it.)
Well done guys, I like the comparison you made.
I really like it but VW is over for me after 2 cars that decided to chew their own head gaskets in less than 100k miles and with regular oil changes/maintenance.
I’d take the RAV 4 any day.