2014 / 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan Detailed Review and Road Test

[@braxtonec]

man, you provide a through review. I'm watching this three years later and you're one of the best information sources for this model that I've found. Thanks.

[@jpsouthchangwon]

Wow... Seriously - fast-talker - so 23 mins of fast delivery of vital info... Best 23 min I spent car-shopping. Thanks a lot Alex!!

[@chocolatemilk912]

I still like this over the new Tiguan. Zip off into the sunset.

[@MertMuftugil]

Same here

[@newhamoksha1]

Agreed

[@rsrs1735]

💯

[@DarnellReid2007]

Same here! New ones look so bland.

[@sergevivier956]

This is the most detailed review available for the Tiguan and I agree with all of your comments except for the 4/10 in the Value section. Perhaps accurate for the R but not for the S. The one thing about the Tiiguan is that they all have big comfortable seats so you dont have to go to a higher trim level to get a good seat unlike the CRV and the Rav 4.

[@Barbara-lb1gt]

I loved my 2015 Tiguan for the first 80,000 miles. Then it just became a series of problems. Turbo doesn’t work and is a very expensive fix. I have an oil leak. This is a great car to lease because it drives better than any other crossover! But not a good choice to buy if you want to keep a car past 100,000 miles.

[@faautobahna9416]

Best review on Tiguan.

[@roiemesilati]

Great review! I drive the SEL 4moution in Manhattan every day all day and I am super happy with it. I tired other SUV's before I got this one and it all felt cheap to me. Moreover, the designs were just awful. The one thing I can agree on is the tech in this car should have been updated long ago as it is in EU. I use my iPhone on a stand with bluetooth so I do not care so much for it. No car tech can compete with smart phones (apart for tesla S). As for the engine, super strong for a small 2L. Remember, this car is shorter for city use. But, gives you the option to increase boot space by moving the back seats forward. I found it super helpful with parking.

[@thatpilotfam]

I CANNOT wait to get this baby I’ll probably get the 2018 but still such a wonderful car and just perfect for a family of 4. My hubby has a Land Rover so we will still use his for road trips and loading up the kayaks but this will be perfect for running errands either alone or with the kids. Thanks Alex great tour

[@NickCasale]

best car reviews on youtube, thanks!

[@damieg82]

its strange just how much manufacturers change a vehicle between markets. In my country the R-Line comes with 18" alloys with slightly higher profile tyres, half leather/alcantara seats, 4Motion all wheel drive is standard on all Tiguans, and you can have a manual with the AWD, but if you go automatic, it's a 7 speed DSG. Oh and you can get any Tiguan with a diesel engine. All but the R-Line has a 140hp unit, with the R having a 170hp unit

[@ejhayes76]

Wow. Great and thorough review. Too bad the R Line doesn't get the DSG. I feel it should given the vehicle cost. Maybe in 2016.

[@MidNightRyder1000]

SE Trim with 4Motion is around 28k. Very happy with it as well as I'd say value. Nice Leatherette seats (that feel like real leather), back up cam, heated seats, and AWD. its great. No sunroof however. But if you can deal with that, definitely drive one and feel it. Great handler.

[@tymac3306]

so beautiful,...those rims...awwweee.....just sold 2018 gGolf R to save money last month, in canada i paid 43,500 plus tax, and i drove it for 3.5 years and they (vw) gave me 37,750 cash. then got a 15 tigual for 12,900 yeasterday

[@joechen2763]

Outstanding review, Alex. I'm seriously considering the Tiguan R and this video will definitely help my decision making.

[@Count_Grishnackh]

just bought one today in pepper grey 2015 model. totally in love. imo, it shits all over the mazda, the escape, etc.

[@horthearith]

xzach23 x Hi, how's ur experience with your Tiguan? Considering 2014 demo car with DSG and 4motion from VW here

[@Count_Grishnackh]

Thearith HOR hey i love her. the drive is so smooth, responsive, and fun. only regret not getting one sooner.

[@horthearith]

Thanks man

[@thrasherx2k1]

Thearith HOR no DSG in the Tiguan

[@tu6198]

Great review as always. My personal opinion i prefer a hard tonneau cover. Just because I'm a bit OCD and it bugs me when the ends sag.

[@skipperbonus3154]

I would really hate that sun shade thing overhead. Couldn't the same effect be possible with just tinting the moon roof glass? I don't like that you can't block out the sun completely. Here in Southern California the sun is very strong on some days, I totally get what Alex is saying.

[@LFCsince93]

Great video. I’m buying a used one and although not an R-line. Gave good info

[@foobarbecue]

Great review! Even addressed whether the passenger seat folds flat which I find is rare in reviews and I always want to know.

[@fava6053]

Great review.Alex has the best Auto reviews.I love Tiguan but as Alex said it does not have a good price. Tiguan had the best handling and smallest size of SUV.I definitely keep it as my choice for 2016 if VW upgrade engine and adjust price.I hope VW does not make it bigger because it is the best size and most practical SUV for city.Thanks Alex!

[@cadsux]

Better handling than the Mazda CX-5. That's high praise. I remember the old CX-7 turbo was often compared to the Tiguan. Would you say that they are fairly comparable? It's seems their performance figures are similar, with the CX-7 a tad better in braking and cargo, and the Tiguan better in refinement and mpg.

[@fartman10284]

keep in mind, those 19" tires are not cheap to replace. 235/50r18 is fine enough for me

[@sneakersonfeet9045]

Tan N but they look so fire 🔥 makes the vehicle look waaaay better in my opinion

[@jwhite6676]

Hi Alex, thanks for all your reviews Im currently searching for a compact SUV and in the running is the cx-5 and the tiguan. I very much like how the tiguan looks but I wanted to ask your opinion. Between the cx-5 and the tiguan which is better on gas? highest safety rating? resonable maintenance repair costs/parts cost?

[@tymac3306]

7:00 a car with a huge moon/sun roof that increases headroom, not reduce headroom. nice!

[@LETSWIM1]

Alex for president!

[@darksideofmind91]

Not that this matters alot with the review, but: do you also use LPG fuel in the US? Just asking, because here in Italy (and I think also in France, but I'm not sure) they sold lots of Tiguan with LPG fuel since 2012 thanks to the fact that gasoline here costs so much :p (even though most of these were probably 1.4l engines)

[@mattchen1669]

Would you do review of Touareg? How come you don't mention it in your SUV reviews and comparisons? Thanks!

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

It has been a while since I have had one, I'll see what I can do.

[@dantesvn]

hi Alex, your review is simply amazing, can you make a review on the Glk? Because im really fond of it

[@JaisielPena]

Hey Alex, great review. When will you review the Toureg?

[@frapsATV]

is this a good buy in 2022? there's one with 100k km and 15k price

[@brucec43]

I would remind viewers that the R line is currently priced nearly $6,000 off MSRP at Truecar. REAL WORLD prices are what matter, not just MSRP. At this price it is far more reasonable for what you get (driving experience). Then there's resale value vs say a Ford. The VW could actually be cheaper to own and operate.

[@kc5077]

The VW engine is great but when I drove a lesser Tiguan I thought it felt narrow and twitchy. Did this Tiguan have the auto brake feature where after you stop you can release the brake pedal? Great review btw.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Not that I know of.

[@teamsalvation]

I don't think I got this for the vid, but can you get the AWD with the base manual tranny? ;-) As always super detailed and in depth.. Love the review thanks again, Alex!! Btw - I got it only with the auto hahaha

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Sadly no AWD/manual combo in the USA. It is possible in other markets as I understand it however.

[@progermv]

Wow, what a review! Just subscribed! Thank you!

[@stephenscott7309]

Great reviews as always! Will you be reviewing the Audi Q3 anytime soon? I am very interested to see how it compares to the Tiguan. Currently looking for a Small AWD crossover for less than $40K.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

I hope so but I don't have any specific dates yet.

[@davidg4781]

Why so many blank switches for a top of the line model? Are those for the AWD models?

[@TheJoeltodd]

This was very thorough and helpful. Thank you.

[@BTC909]

Am I required to wear a suit and work in a multi storied office building to drive one of these?

[@mrkongsimr]

When will this car have a diesel engine , or is it already ??

[@angel_machariel]

If something is is rated 10/10 then in that case I feel explanation deserves more than a few seconds of attention.

[@JJJRodriguez]

Always on point and detailed!!

[@mb013962]

At 7:00 I think you meant to say legroom and at 21:45 you meant to say escape

[@enzomanic]

excellent review!

[@nankang1728]

Amazingly detailed video review! Love it!

[@sheilagreenwood4102]

Fantastic to see and drive good luck ing

[@grayboo212]

@ 05:37 - I really dislike how steering wheels "tilt" now a days. Does anyone know of a small suv or cuv that actually tilts like the old days? My old 98' Jeep Grand Cherokee's wheel has the lever on the left side of the wheel and can tilt the wheel straight up and down (perpendicular to the road). Todays' vehicles lower the whole steering column and the top of the wheel is at a terrible angle to drive (I'm a one hand at the 10/11 position driver and have been for 30 years). To be able to drive like that in todays' vehicles makes me feel like I'm on a motorcycle with ape hangers, which sucks.

[@stephanematis]

How is the Forester XT not included in the comparison ? Does it not make the "Small Crossover" category or is it now a "Small SUV". Will you be testing the 2015 Outback ?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

As I said in the video I really had to limit the video to just the four large players in the segment and the second best handling CUV which is the CX-5. There are over 30 different small CUVs/SUVs sold in America so I really can't include them all without the video getting really long. The Forester is either the 8th or 9th best selling crossover so I would not include it in a comparison like this before the Cherokee, Rogue, etc. I will have a Forester review out in a few days but in that review I won't be talking about the Tiguan, that review will be limited to the same top 4 plus the Cherokee since it is also off-road focused like the Forester.

[@stephanematis]

Not to disagree, much, but an upper trim Forester XT would have made the perfect nemesis to a Tiguan R, since both are performance oriented models within their respective lines. As for "off-road" focus, the generic X-Mode on the Subaru may not be in the same category as the Trailhawk pachage Cherokee, yet it is available across the line-up . I wonder how many people "off-pavement" need more traction and clearance then a showroom Subaru.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

stephane matis While both are performance models they march to very different drummers. The Tiguan R is by far the best handling mass-market brand crossover, but the Forester XT with its soft springs, taller suspension and narrower tires is faster but doesn't handle nearly as well. The Forester is also considerably less expensive. The Tiguan R-Line is targeted towards people that want a jacked-up GTR while the Forester is targeted at people that want a faster soft-road capable crossover. I'm not sure how many Subaru owners take their Forester off road, but it does seem as essential to the brand as Jeep with the Cherokee. In some ways the Forester is more sure footed than the Jeep due to the permanent AWD system. The soft springs and greater suspension travel in the Forester (relative to your average crossover) provide a much better feel on dirt, gravel and rough roads.

[@72andres]

Excellent review.

[@xmoe4lifex]

Does this hold up after 50000 KM?

[@kipamore]

You AOA guys are smart, so riddle me this - it's been sticking in my craw for quite some time. A wider tire and a narrower tire have EXACTLY the same traction. The tire makes traction as a function of how much weight is pressing it into the road. A wider tire has less pressure above it per square inch, but more square inches. A narrow tire has more pressure per square inch. But the net pressure for both wide and narrow tires is EXACTLY the same because the weight generating the traction is the same. A google search for "why do race cars have wide tires" yields lots of contradicting info. Some say it's heat dissipation, some say it's that wider tires are stronger so the compound can be softer. Conversely, I know from experience that narrower tires are better in the snow, but I don't know why. Anyone want to take a crack at this?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

There is more going on at work than simply F=Vmu however. The wider contact patch in reality will provide better ultimate traction. While there are a few reasons for this, the biggest one has to do with the fact that this is not a simple columnar friction equation. There are so many other forces going on where a larger contact patch has a net increase in real friction. One good example (but not the only one of course) is a tire "sipe" (the small rubber blocks on a tire). The way they interlock with the road surface improves grip. Think of tiny rubber studs gripping the rocks at an angle that is not straight down. This increases friction. Think of a golf shoe on grass vs a flat soled boot. To some extent this also happens with a soft rubber tire that has no treads because the rubber forms to the road surface increasing traction.

[@FanGLeWoW]

wider tire increases the shear force which results in better traction. This is why I recommend everyone to take level I Kinematics Physics, it explains a lot of things. Since the rubber on the tires is soft, it will stretch before it loses contact with the ground. If we have wider tires, the force exerted on each tire will still be the same, but the increased surface area of the tires will increase the shear force needed for the tires to slip dramatically. there are other reasons why they use wider tires, but this is the main reason. this is also why F1 cars use super wide tires with no pattern, increase surface area in order to increase the shear force. Before I went into engineering, I used to think about this too.

[@zackoverfelt1125]

5:03 Fordy 'Scape

[@alphadog55]

Thanks for sharing!

[@isidorogomez]

You said relatively 15,000 times

[@A_guan]

Alex will you be reviewing the current audi q7? Or are you having troubles contacting audi about it

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Audi has one locally I could borrow but it is kind of low on my priority list as it will be replaced somewhat soon. I may drive it towards the end of the summer but it's a bit up in the air.

[@A_guan]

Well when you review the next version you could compare things like interior and ride quality

[@turboshottho]

Yes please I have been scouring KZbin for a current generation fully detailed review of the Q7

[@ChristopherWalkenPUA]

Alex on Autos I also agree that a review on the Q7 would be nice (even though it will be replaced soon). There aren't many quality reviews out there for it so you should get some good view counts.

[@markwilliams6378]

Hey Alex does the Tigaun handle better than the CX 5 ?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

+mark williams A hair, but the feel is better in the Mazda

[@76454455555071]

Does it have a reverse camera?

[@MrCurcio99]

I do

[@dalouman]

So Alex what are would recommend the Tiguan R line or the CX-5 Grand Touring?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

+Louis S I would take the CX-5 over this generation Tiguan. The next gen model looks like it will be more reasonably priced.

[@dalouman]

+Alex on Autos So alex what do you think of this deal on auto trader www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=407496064&hideBackLink=true&Log=0

[@Fussinated]

40K for this car with questionable reliability? Considering the maintenance cost and all, a domestic brand sounds like a better choice.

[@future62]

255s up front, wow!!!!!

[@deegoo7977]

I like this vehicle but it is expensive and on top it users premium fuel!!

[@mountainhobo]

Nasty fuel economy for a small crossover, and considering it's premium fuel, it's downright awful.

[@zam200864]

700 km hwy on a full tank is not terrible milage, 610 mix of city /hwy

[@osamaejaz5642]

Subaru Outback!!

[@mattpfeffer1286]

I have to chime in. I think Alex had a bit of a brain f*rt (which is unlike him) by forgetting about the BMW X1 when discussing this souped up Tiguan. It is virtually the same size and has the same exact benefits/compromises except all the benefits are way more beneficial and it costs only a few thousand more. For that few thousand you get a way, way way better NAV/media system, a way, way, way better engine, and a way, way, way better transmission. Same gas mileage.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Yes and no. Supposedly (according to both VW and BMW) the X1 and the Tiguan don't compete with one another. The Tiguan is a solid mass-market vehicle and is more practical in many ways than the X1. I really like the X1 mind you, but to get the same grip out of the X1 it gets rather expensive (you need the S-Sport package). I''d rather ave the X1 IMHO, but supposedly the average Tiguan shopper thinks otherwise. Go figure.

[@TheHamm91]

Ford Escape with the 2.0L can tow up to 3,500lbs ...

[@acchaladka]

My cousin has the Escape, likes the turbo effect but hates the mileage and doesn't want a CUV for his towing. Also too small for his long-distance luggage, as seems the Tiguan. We're talking Forester or Volvo XC60, or the very underrated Touareg TDI if he decides he wants to tow, but he's furious with Ford in any case.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

acchaladka If you plan to tow, cross the Forester off your list the tow rating is fairly low. The XC60's tow rating is also fairly small. The Touareg, Grand Cherokee and Durango are probably the least expensive ways to go if you want to do any real towing with a mid-sized SUV.

[@acchaladka]

@alex - thanks much, I agree. I meant that he may want to tow but won't do it with a CUV if he buys one. He has an old F-150 for his limited towing needs and may trade it in if he can find a satisfactory (whatever that means) mpg + towing combination. He lives in the woods of central northern Michigan, 85% highway driving and his Ford Escape gets 23 mpg and leaks like crazy - no help or returns from Ford. We're leaning toward a slightly used Touareg TDI in the top-end trim for a price in the mid-20s but if he decides towing doesn't matter...

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

acchaladka You may want to think about a new or almost new Grand Cherokee with the V6. The new 8-speed makes it a very solid towing alternative and the entertainment systems are considerably more modern than the Touareg's.

[@mikkelvitusnielsen8352]

Sorry but off course its a dsg transmission!!!

[@AshPhoenix]

VW reliability is questionable.

[@StevePeel]

Nothing more ignorant than someone speaking or listening to you with sunglasses on. The review though is fine.

[@brucec43]

+Stephen Peel You might be more convincing w/o the typos. And this guy is one of the best auto reviewers on the internet. Don't like the shades? Don't watch. The other thousands of viewers are fine with it.

[@StevePeel]

Bruno TaTa Don't like the way I write or what I have to say, don't read it.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

+Stephen Peel For the record, they aren't "sunglasses" per se, they are only slightly tinted but the camera makes them look darker. I have a condition where my pupils will not shrink enough for me to see in strong sunlight. Therefore if the choice is to be blind as a bat or see with tinted lenses on, I'll take the tinted lenses any day. Ignorance, perceived or otherwise has nothing to do with prescription lenses.

[@StevePeel]

Alex on Autos :) Got it. All the best Alex