By Max Lodewyk
The Volkswagen Tiguan has long been a pillar of the Volkswagen’s success and for good reason.
Since its global debut in 2007, the Tiguan has sold over 7.6 million units, making it Volkswagen’s best selling SUV and one of the top-selling SUVs globally.
Loved for its refined styling, practicality, and premium feel particularly in R-Line, the Tiguan is a household name in Namibia
In September 2023, Volkswagen unveiled the third-generation Tiguan, marking a significant evolution in design, technology and safety.
In this review, we’ll explore what makes the all-new Tiguan stand out, focusing on its design, performance, tech, safety and pricing.
Exterior Design: Bold and Modern
The third-generation Tiguan is offered in three trim levels: the entry-level Tiguan, mid-spec Life and the sporty R-Line. This generation introduces VW’s new design language,”Modern Solid”, which emphasises clean, simplified surfaces, muscular proportions and tech-forward styling elements.
Up front, the new Tiguan features a bold grille, flanked by slim LED matrix headlights that add both functionality and finesse. The rear design is sleeker too, with full-width LED taillights and a more sculpted tailgate.
The R-Line variant further enhances the design with larger 20 inch alloy wheels, IQ.Light HD matrix headlights and more aggressive bumpers. Dimensionally, the new Tiguan is slightly longer and wider than its predecessor, which translates into more presence on the road and more space inside.
Under the Bonnet
The all new Tiguan is available with a range of turbocharged engines to suit a variety of driving preferences: a 1.4 TSI (110 kW / 250 Nm), a 2.0 TDI (110 kW / 340 Nm) and a 2.0 TSI (140 kW / 320 Nm). All engines are paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission for quick, seamless gear shifts.
While the 1.4 TSI is front-wheel drive, the 2.0-litre variants are available in either front-wheel or 4MOTION all-wheel drive, offering additional stability on slippery surfaces.
Comfort and Technology
Step inside the new Tiguan and you’re met with a cabin that feels luxurious and contemporary. The minimalist dashboard features fewer physical buttons, replaced instead by a high-tech 12.9-inch touchscreen that serves as the command centre for infotainment, navigation and climate control.
Connectivity is taken care of with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster keeps key driving information front and centre.
A notable new feature is the “Driving Experience Control Dial”, which not only lets drivers toggle between drive modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport, Individual, Offroad, Snow) but also changes the interior ambiance through pre-set themes like Lounge, Joy, Nature, and Energetic, which is a feature exclusive to the R-Line.
Volkswagen has also replaced the traditional gear lever with a steering-column-mounted gear selector, freeing up space in the centre console for added practicality.
Safety Features
Standard safety features across the range include: 8 airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Park Assist and Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control and Front Assist with Autonomous, Emergency Braking (available on higher trims).
The Tiguan has also been awarded a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, reaffirming its reputation as one of the safest vehicles in its class.
Ownership Costs: Warranty and Service
Volkswagen backs the new Tiguan with a 3-year/120,000 km warranty and a 5-year/90,000 km service plan as standard, whilst pricing for the all-new Tiguan comes in as follows: Base Tiguan 1.4 TSI DSG – from N$730,000, Tiguan Life / 2.0 TDI variants – around N$ 850,00 and the Tiguan R-Line 2.0 TSI 4MOTION – above N$900,000.
While not the cheapest SUV in its category, the Tiguan justifies its price with a combination of premium materials and advanced tech, traits that continue to attract buyers that still prefer German engineering.
The third-generation Volkswagen Tiguan represents a thoughtful and progressive evolution of a winning formula as it blends familiar strengths, comfort, quality and everyday usability with fresh styling and smarter tech.
*Max Lodewyk is a motoring enthusiast. Youtube: maxlodewyk_na, Tiktok: maxlodewyk_na
