2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2025 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
TIGUAN
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Horsepower
201 hp
Transmission
8-speed automatic
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Seats
5
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
29 combined · 26 city / 34 hwy
Length
184.3 in
Curb weight
3,810 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • 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 36 similar 2025 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2025 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 184 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 110-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,810 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 29 MPG combined (26 city / 34 highway), 0% better than the 2025 small SUV average of 29 MPG, for an estimated $2,300 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2025

  • Best combined MPG up from 27 to 29
  • NHTSA overall rating up from 4 to 5 stars

Compared with 2024; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2024 Tiguan →

Trims, performance & features

Engine201 hp2.0L turbo 4-cyl
Transmission8-speed automatic
Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

4 Motion SE R-Line Black4Motion SESE4Motion SEL R-Line Black

Safety & driver-assist features

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

Built in: Puebla, Puebla

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2025 Tiguan configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
TIGUAN184.3 in72.8 in66.5 in109.8 in62.2 / 61.8 in3,810 lb58/42

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
Tiguan S2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)Front-Wheel Drive26 / 34 / 290%$2,300307
Tiguan2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)Front-Wheel Drive25 / 32 / 28-3%$2,400320
Tiguan 4motion2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive22 / 30 / 25-2%$2,700351
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
29 MPG2025 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2025 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★17.9%
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★16.9%
StandardElectronic stability control
StandardForward collision warning
StandardLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD
Frontal crash test — 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD
Side crash test — 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2025 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan (this car)29 MPG★★★★★3
2025 Toyota RAV439 MPG★★★★★4
2025 Honda CR-V40 MPG★★★★★6
2025 Ford Bronco20 MPGNot rated19
2025 Hyundai Tucson38 MPG★★★★★7
2025 Subaru Forester35 MPG★★★★★4
2025 Mazda CX-528 MPG★★★★★0

Recalls (3)

Electrical System › Body Control Module › Software · Sep 10, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V587000 · 49,958 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Tiguan vehicles. A software error may cause the body control module (BCM) system to reset. This may result in the ignition switching off, resulting in an engine stall. It can also lead to a loss of certain controls, warning lights, exterior lighting, or failure of the rearview camera system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays," and 102, "Transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect," as well as FMVSS numbers 111 and 108.
Risk
An unexpected engine stall, loss of exterior lighting or warning lights, or failure of the rearview camera system can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will update the body control module (BCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 57KL. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 17, 2026.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · Dec 10, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V854000 · 3,138 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Tiguan vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.
Risk
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix
Owners are advised not to allow occupants to sit in the front passenger seat until the remedy is complete. Dealers will repair the affected wiring harness in the front passenger seat, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74HE. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 12, 2025.
Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly · Aug 13, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V526000 · 15 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Tiguan vehicles. A tie rod bolt on the rear axle assembly may be loose, which can lead to a loss of vehicle control.
Risk
A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the affected tie rod bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 5, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42E7.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

56Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
6,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System18
Engine13
Unknown Or Other13
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking10
Power Train9
Service Brakes6
Fuel/Propulsion System5
Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings5
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
25/07: 325/08: 125/09: 225/11: 225/12: 226/01: 526/02: 426/03: 426/04: 126/05: 426/06: 926/07: 626/08: 326/09: 326/10: 725/0725/0925/1226/0226/0426/0626/0826/10max 9

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 18 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Engine — 13 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 10 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 6,000 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 2025 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
2024 Tiguan27185.8 in★★★★★276
2023 Tiguan27185.8 in★★★★★170
2022 Tiguan26185.8 inNot rated5273
2021 Tiguan25185.8 in★★★★★5144
2020 Tiguan25185.8 in★★★★★3141
2019 Tiguan25185.8 in★★★★★5195
2018 Tiguan24185.8 in★★★★★14294
2017 Tiguan22174.4 inNot rated476
2016 Tiguan23174.4 inNot rated297
2015 Tiguan23174.4 inNot rated462

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