2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.

- 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
Trims
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
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 4motion 4dr SUV | 174.4 in | 71.3 in | 66.9 in | 102.4 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 3,591 lb | 57/43 |
| 2.0 FWD 4dr SUV | 174.4 in | 71.3 in | 66.9 in | 102.4 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 3,393 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiguan | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 26 / 23 | -7% | $3,550 | 393 |
| Tiguan 4motion | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 26 / 22 | -4% | $3,750 | 395 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 3★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 18.5% |
| 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 3★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 17.4% |


Similar 2016 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan (this car) | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2016 Toyota RAV4 | 32 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2016 Honda CR-V | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2016 Hyundai Tucson | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2016 Subaru Forester | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2016 Mazda CX-5 | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2016 Honda HR-V | 31 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.
Not every 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 31 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Electrical System — 26 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Steering — 13 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 45,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- 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 →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Tiguan | 29 | 184.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Tiguan | 29 | 184.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 37 |
| 2025 Tiguan | 29 | 184.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 57 |
| 2024 Tiguan | 27 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 77 |
| 2023 Tiguan | 27 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 71 |
| 2022 Tiguan | 26 | 185.8 in | Not rated | 5 | 273 |
| 2021 Tiguan | 25 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 144 |
| 2020 Tiguan | 25 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 141 |
| 2019 Tiguan | 25 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 196 |
| 2018 Tiguan | 24 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 14 | 294 |
| 2017 Tiguan | 22 | 174.4 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 76 |
| 2015 Tiguan | 23 | 174.4 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 62 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →