DecodedCars2026 Volkswagen Tiguan
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2026 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- TIGUAN
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 201–268 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
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Strong performanceUp to 268 hp, versus about 190 hp for similar 2026 models.
- AWD / 4WD available
- 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 40 similar 2026 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2026 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), 4% worse than the 2026 small SUV average of 30.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,300 a year in fuel.
It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2026
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2025 Tiguan — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2025; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2025 Tiguan →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Puebla, Puebla
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2026 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TIGUAN | 184.3 in | 72.8 in | 66.5 in | 109.8 in | 62.2 / 61.8 in | 3,810 lb | 58/42 |
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 S | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 34 / 29 | -4% | $2,300 | 307 |
| Tiguan | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 32 / 28 | -7% | $2,400 | 320 |
| Tiguan 4motion | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 30 / 25 | -3% | $2,700 | 351 |
| Tiguan SEL 4Motion | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 29 / 25 | -3% | $2,700 | 360 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2026 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan.
Similar 2026 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan (this car) | 29 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 | 43 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Honda CR-V | 40 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Hyundai Tucson | 38 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2026 Subaru Forester | 35 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2026 Mazda CX-5 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 23 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
Recalls (0)
No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗Not every 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Other Tiguan years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Tiguan | 29 | 184.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 Tiguan | 29 | 184.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 56 |
| 2024 Tiguan | 27 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 76 |
| 2023 Tiguan | 27 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 70 |
| 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 | 195 |
| 2018 Tiguan | 24 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 14 | 294 |
| 2017 Tiguan | 22 | 174.4 in | Not rated | 4 | 76 |
| 2016 Tiguan | 23 | 174.4 in | Not rated | 2 | 97 |
| 2015 Tiguan | 23 | 174.4 in | Not rated | 4 | 62 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →