2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 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
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
5–7
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
25 combined · 23 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
  • Seats up to 73 rows of seating.
  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 28 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2021 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 (23 city / 29 highway), 5% worse than the 2021 small SUV average of 26.4 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 144 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2021

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 Tiguan — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 Tiguan →

Trims, performance & features

Engine184 hp2.0L 4-cyl
Transmission8-speed automatic
DriveAWD/4WD · FWD
Seating5–7 seats · 3 rows

Trims

4Motion SE, SE R-Line Black, SELSE, SE R-Line Black, SEL4Motion SEL Premium R-LineS4Motion S

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Blind-spot monitoringStandard
Rear cross-traffic alertStandard
Lane departure warningStandard
Lane keeping assistStandard
Adaptive cruise controlStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Adaptive driving beamStandard
Keyless startStandard
LED headlightsYes

Built in: Puebla, Mexico

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2021 Tiguan configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV 4motion185.8 in72 in66.5 in109.8 in62.6 / 61.8 in3,856 lb56/44
4dr SUV FWD185.8 in72 in66.5 in109.8 in62.6 / 61.8 in3,777 lb56/44

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 (S8)Front-Wheel Drive23 / 29 / 25-5%$2,700353
Tiguan 4motion2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive21 / 27 / 240%$2,800374
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $1,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
26.4 MPG2021 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★–
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★–
StandardElectronic stability control
Not availableForward collision warning
OptionalLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD
Frontal crash test — 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD
Side crash test — 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2021 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan (this car)25 MPG★★★★★5
2021 Toyota RAV440 MPG★★★★★1
2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime38 MPGNot rated4
2021 Honda CR-V38 MPG★★★★★5
2021 Toyota 4Runner17 MPG★★★★★1
2021 Hyundai Tucson25 MPG★★★★★1
2021 Subaru Forester29 MPG★★★★★0

Recalls (5)

Equipment › Electrical › Infotainment › Software · Jul 20, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V514000 · 43,091 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk
A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.
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.
Suspension · Mar 23, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V176000 · 10,119 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan, Taos, and 2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. A second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available. The left or right rear suspension knuckles may corrode, crack, and break.
Risk
A broken rear suspension knuckle can cause a loss of stability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace one or both rear suspension knuckles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 13, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42L8.
Seats › Critical Fasteners · Feb 1, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V038000 · 57 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Long Wheelbase and Jetta vehicles. Bolts may be missing from the front seat tracks.
Risk
The seat can move front and back without restriction if bolts are missing, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat tracks and, as necessary, install the bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 18, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72L6.
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Nov 18, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V716000 · 32,048 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk
A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

144Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
2Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
2Injuries reported
26,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine54
Unknown Or Other30
Electrical System25
Fuel/Propulsion System12
Power Train11
Visibility/Wiper8
Structure › Body7
Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control6
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/09: 424/10: 224/11: 324/12: 225/02: 325/03: 225/04: 325/05: 225/06: 825/07: 525/08: 425/09: 325/10: 325/11: 425/12: 426/02: 126/03: 326/04: 626/05: 626/06: 526/07: 326/08: 726/09: 526/10: 324/0924/1225/0425/0725/1026/0226/0526/08max 8

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 54 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Electrical System — 25 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Fuel/Propulsion System — 12 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 26,000 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 2021 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
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
2015 Tiguan23174.4 in★★★★★462

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