2016 Volkswagen Tiguan

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 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 SUV, 2.0 FWD 4dr SUV
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Horsepower
200 hp
Transmission
6-speed 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
2 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Few owner complaints97 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 293 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 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2016 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 SUV).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (21 city / 26 highway), 7% worse than the 2016 small SUV average of 24.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.

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

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 97 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2016

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2015 Tiguan — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 Tiguan →

Trims, performance & features

Engine200 hp2.0L 4-cyl
Transmission6-speed automatic

Trims

S, R-Line, SE, SEL4Motion S, R-Line, SE, SEL

Built in: Wolfsburg, Germany

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 3 2016 Tiguan configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2.0 4motion 4dr SUV174.4 in71.3 in66.9 in102.4 in61.8 / 61.8 in3,591 lb57/43
2.0 FWD 4dr 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 / 23-7%$3,550393
Tiguan 4motion2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive20 / 26 / 22-4%$3,750395
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $5,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
24.6 MPG2016 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2016 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 3★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★18.5%
2016 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 3★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★17.4%
StandardElectronic stability control
Not availableForward collision warning
Not availableLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD
Frontal crash test — 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD
Side crash test — 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2016 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2016 Volkswagen Tiguan (this car)23 MPG★★★★★2
2016 Toyota RAV432 MPG★★★★★3
2016 Honda CR-V29 MPG★★★★★3
2016 Hyundai Tucson28 MPG★★★★★5
2016 Subaru Forester27 MPG★★★★★3
2016 Mazda CX-529 MPG★★★★★4
2016 Honda HR-V31 MPG★★★★★2

Recalls (2)

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.
Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jun 24, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V464000 · 5,658 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 CC vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016, to February 3, 2016, Golf R and Tiguan vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 28, 2016, and e-Golf vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 11, 2016. Vibrations, such as those created by opening and closing a vehicle door, may cause the rear child door locks to disengage, allowing a child to open a rear door while inside the vehicle.
Risk
If an unrestrained child unexpectedly opens a door, they may fall from the vehicle increasing their risk of injury.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the child lock(s), free of charge. The recall began on August 22, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 58C9.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

97Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
4Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
3Injuries reported
45,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags31
Electrical System26
Unknown Or Other23
Steering13
Engine10
Structure › Body6
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette6
Fuel/Propulsion System4
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
22/08: 322/09: 222/10: 122/11: 223/01: 123/03: 223/06: 123/07: 123/09: 123/10: 123/12: 124/01: 124/07: 124/10: 225/02: 125/03: 125/05: 125/07: 225/09: 125/10: 225/11: 126/02: 126/07: 126/10: 122/0822/1123/0623/1024/0725/0325/0926/02max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 31 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Electrical System — 26 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Steering — 13 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 45,000 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 2016 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
2015 Tiguan23174.4 in★★★★★462

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