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Volkswagen Tiguan (2016-2024) - Interior, design and technology

Solid design is functional rather than stylish, although the Tiguan is smart enough and includes the latest on-board tech

Interior, design and technology rating

4.4

How we review cars
RRP
£36,950 £52,380
Avg. savings
£2,911 off RRP*

Just so you know, this is an older review of the 2016-2024 Volkswagen Tiguan. If you are interested in information about the interior of the latest Volkswagen Tiguan, or news of upcoming Volkswagen models, please follow the links provided.

The previous Volkswagen Tiguan was beginning to look its age alongside more stylish opposition such as the stylish Range Rover Evoque and Peugeot 3008.

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Exterior changes in the facelift brought the Tiguan into line with the larger Touareg. The nose is taller, with a larger grille feeding into redesigned LED headlights. Tiguans in Elegance trim and above are also fitted with adaptive matrix technology called IQ.Light.

The rear end also benefited from a refresh, with a new rear panel and updated tail lights. A new set of alloy wheel designs was also introduced.

The Volkswagen Tiguan comes in four main specifications. Standard equipment in the entry Life trim includes 18-inch alloys, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, automatic lights and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. You also get rear privacy glass, sat-nav, front and rear parking sensors, and three-zone climate control.

Elegance spec adds an extra inch to the wheel size, chrome exterior trim, upgraded upholstery, a rear view camera and a panoramic sunroof. Opting for the top R Line version means even bigger 20-inch alloys, a sporty body kit and sports seats. The more recently introduced Black Edition offers the same standard kit as the R Line, along with exclusive styling tweaks such as black exterior trim.

The high-performance Tiguan R gets Matrix LED headlights and special 21-inch wheels, plus sports seats embroidered with R logos.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

The dashboard in the Tiguan is more sensible than stylish, but everything is very logically laid out and simple to get along with.  

There's a new steering wheel with touch-sensitive buttons featuring haptic feedback, and Volkswagen's 10-inch Digital Cockpit Pro set-up - standard on Elegance trim and above.

The central infotainment screen was updated as part of the facelift, and includes touch-sensitive buttons, revised menus and display technology and updated voice controls. Sitting below, the heating controls were also upgraded with more modern touch-sensitive switches.

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Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    1.5 eTSI Life 5dr DSG
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £36,950

Most Economical

  • Name
    1.5 TSI eHybrid Match 5dr DSG
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £42,730

Fastest

  • Name
    2.0 TSI 320 4Motion R [Black Style Pack] 5dr DSG
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £52,380

Shane is responsible for looking after the day-to-day running of the Auto Express website and social media channels. Prior to joining Auto Express in 2021, he worked as a radio producer and presenter for outlets such as the BBC.

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