2019 Volkswagen Tiguan
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2019 models.

- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV 4motion, 4dr SUV FWD
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 184 hp
- Transmission
- 8-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 25 combined · 22 city / 29 hwy
- Length
- 185.8 in
- Curb weight
- 3,777–3,856 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 5 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
- Modest powerUp to 184 hp, versus about 240 hp for similar 2019 models.
- Emergency braking not standardAutomatic emergency braking is optional or limited to some trims.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 25 similar 2019 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2019 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 186 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 110-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,856 lb (4dr SUV 4motion).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (22 city / 29 highway), 0% better than the 2019 small SUV average of 25.1 MPG, for an estimated $2,700 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 196 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2019
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2018 Tiguan — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2018; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2018 Tiguan →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Puebla, Mexico
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2019 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 4motion | 185.8 in | 72 in | 66.5 in | 109.8 in | 62.6 / 61.8 in | 3,856 lb | 56/44 |
| 4dr SUV FWD | 185.8 in | 72 in | 66.5 in | 109.8 in | 62.6 / 61.8 in | 3,777 lb | 56/44 |
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 (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 29 / 25 | 0% | $2,700 | 355 |
| Tiguan 4motion | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | +1% | $2,800 | 367 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2019 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | – |
| 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | – |


Similar 2019 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan (this car) | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2019 Toyota RAV4 | 40 MPG | ★★★★★ | 8 |
| 2019 Honda CR-V | 30 MPG | ★★★★★ | 8 |
| 2019 Toyota 4Runner | 18 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2019 Hyundai Tucson | 26 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2019 Subaru Forester | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2019 Mazda CX-5 | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
Recalls (5)
Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems · Oct 31, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V815000 · 296,044 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
- Risk
- An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or AudiÂs customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.
Structure › Body · Apr 6, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V226000 · 6,553 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan and 2018-2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. Due to incorrect installation instructions, the accessory rear hatch spoiler may be insufficiently attached to the vehicle.
- Risk
- An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the spoiler, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66N5.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Mar 27, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V241000 · 8 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Tiguan LWB vehicles. The tire information label contains inaccurate tire dimension and inflation pressure specifications. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
- Risk
- The incorrect specifications can result in improper tire inflations or to installing a tire of the wrong size on the vehicle. Either of these situations can increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Fix
- Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will install a corrected tire information label, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D2.
Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs · Mar 6, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V188000 · 56,173 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.
- Risk
- If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J5.
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel · Nov 26, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V824000 · 73,549 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles that do not have keyless entry. The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know that the key is still in the ignition when the door is open. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
- Risk
- If the driver is not notified by an audible noise that the key is left in the ignition, it can increase the risk of vehicle theft or crash.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 90L3 and 90L4.
Not every 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 56 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine — 44 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Service Brakes — 24 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 3,000 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 2019 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 |
| 2018 Tiguan | 24 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 14 | 294 |
| 2017 Tiguan | 22 | 174.4 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 76 |
| 2016 Tiguan | 23 | 174.4 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 97 |
| 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 →