2015 Volkswagen Tiguan

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 models.

Volkswagen Tiguan
Pictured: Volkswagen Tiguan III IMG 8823 (cropped). Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
2.0 4motion 4dr AWD SUV, 2.0 FWD 4dr FWD SUV
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Horsepower
200 hp
Transmission
automatic
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
23 combined · 21 city / 26 hwy
Length
174.4 in
Curb weight
3,393–3,591 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Few owner complaints62 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 234 for similar models.

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 20 similar 2015 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan is a small SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 174 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 102-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,591 lb (2.0 4motion 4dr AWD SUV).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (21 city / 26 highway), 4% worse than the 2015 small SUV average of 24 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned a 4-star overall rating.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 62 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2015

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2014 Tiguan — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2014; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2014 Tiguan →

Trims, performance & features

Engine200 hp2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissionautomatic
DriveAWD/4WD

Trims

4-Motion

Built in: Wolfsburg, Germany

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 3 2015 Tiguan configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2.0 4motion 4dr AWD SUV174.4 in71.3 in66.9 in102.4 in61.8 / 61.8 in3,591 lb57/43
2.0 FWD 4dr FWD SUV174.4 in71.3 in66.9 in102.4 in61.8 / 61.8 in3,393 lb57/43

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Tiguan2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive21 / 26 / 23-4%$3,550393
Tiguan 4motion2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive20 / 26 / 22-3%$3,750395
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $5,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
24 MPG2015 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2015 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 3★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★18.5%
2015 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 3★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★17.4%
StandardElectronic stability control
Not availableForward collision warning
Not availableLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD
Frontal crash test — 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD
Side crash test — 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2015 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2015 Volkswagen Tiguan (this car)23 MPG★★★★★4
2015 Toyota RAV426 MPG★★★★★4
2015 Honda CR-V29 MPG★★★★★3
2015 Hyundai Tucson25 MPG★★★★★2
2015 Subaru Forester27 MPG★★★★★3
2015 Mazda CX-529 MPG★★★★★3
2015 Kia Sportage23 MPG★★★★★2

Recalls (4)

Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module · Jul 17, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V535000 · 27,822 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Tiguan and CC vehicles. The air bag Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have a defective power supply capacitor that can result in air bag deactivation or inadvertent deployment of the air bags.
Risk
Deactivated air bags increases the risk of injury. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install new software and replace the air bag ECU as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 25, 2019. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Z5.
Unknown Or Other · May 16, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V329000 · 252 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Risk
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Air Bags › Side/Window · Jan 28, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V045000 · 734 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles manufactured January 15, 2015, to January 21, 2015, and 2015 Audi Q5 vehicles manufactured January 13, 2015, to February 3, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with driver and front seat passenger seat-mounted air bag inflators that may rupture in the event of a crash.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of a seat-mounted air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began July 7, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69M1 (for Audi) and 69L9 (for VW).
Equipment › Other › Labels · May 26, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V311000 · 2,957 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Tiguan vehicles manufactured January 22, 2015, to March 20, 2015. These vehicles may be equipped with Certification labels that are missing the required tire pressure information and they may state incorrect weight and loading information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
Risk
If the labels have incorrect weight and loading information, the operator may overload the vehicle which could cause vehicle instability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will correct the information on the certification label, free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01A5.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

62Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
4Injuries reported
51,524 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags25
Electrical System23
Unknown Or Other15
Steering9
Engine9
Service Brakes6
Structure › Body4
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette3
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
21/05: 121/06: 121/07: 121/09: 121/11: 122/01: 122/02: 122/03: 122/04: 122/05: 222/06: 322/07: 122/08: 222/10: 123/06: 123/08: 123/09: 123/10: 124/02: 124/05: 124/10: 124/11: 125/05: 125/08: 121/0521/0922/0222/0522/0823/0824/0224/11max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 25 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Electrical System — 23 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Steering — 9 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 51,524 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Tiguan years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Tiguan29184.3 inNot rated00
2026 Tiguan29184.3 inNot rated037
2025 Tiguan29184.3 in★★★★★357
2024 Tiguan27185.8 in★★★★★277
2023 Tiguan27185.8 in★★★★★171
2022 Tiguan26185.8 inNot rated5273
2021 Tiguan25185.8 in★★★★★5144
2020 Tiguan25185.8 in★★★★★3141
2019 Tiguan25185.8 in★★★★★5196
2018 Tiguan24185.8 in★★★★★14294
2017 Tiguan22174.4 in★★★★★476
2016 Tiguan23174.4 in★★★★★297

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →