Volkswagen Tiguan review - the best car you can buy for less than £25k?

Need help buying your next car? Click www.carwow.co.uk/help-me-carwow and my team and I will help you choose your ideal car at a fair price - from Mat Watson!
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When it comes to family cars, they don’t come much more recognisable than the Volkswagen Tiguan.
Now, you might not believe it when you first lay eyes on it, but the Tiguan’s been updated! Sure, it looks pretty damn similar to the old model, but we can assure you there are differences both inside and out.
As for under the engine, well there’s a choice of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrids, including a range-topping 2-litre turbo petrol that’ll deliver 320hp… Although you’re going to have to upgrade to the Tiguan R for that! If you're not willing to step up to the R, you could always go for the R Line (like we have in this video), which has a 1.5-litre petrol that can produce 150hp.
So what do you think - is the Tiguan still the must-have family SUV? Or are the XC40 or Skoda Kodiaq still ahead of the game? Stick with Mat to find out!
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:50 Exterior Design
01:53 Interior & Infotainment
04:22 Practicality
04:52 Back Seats
07:08 Boot
08:34 Five Annoying Features
09:50 Five Cool Features
10:52 Engines
12:04 Town Driving
13:41 Motorway Driving
15:03 Twisty Road Driving
16:29 Verdict
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[@carwow]

Come on then! Can you name a better SUV for less than £25k? We'll wait...

[@shamas_kitchen]

*whoever reading this comment may u have a blessed long life full of happiness and u get success in ur good aims.. i am also doing hard work with my channel, and i hope one day i will make a good channel..* ...😊

[@imblack011]

Used land cruiser

[@hamdaanahmed2006]

The Volkswagen Tiguan is better. Lol

[@samurai6995]

911 turbo s vs gt2rs

[@NMSHAFKI]

Yeah

[@reviewdudersa3316]

I miss the days when 3 people would sit in the back to show the space 😭😭😭😭

[@justj5665]

Social distance😂😂

[@-s3m-]

@@viktormitan8787 that’s what he means I think: tired of this corona shit

[@almondity5278]

Same

[@aldod.6269]

And they'd move they're hand thumbs up or down ahah

[@loosabway3400]

They make kids do it in schools - just grab three of them when they come out of the gates

[@nadit5501]

I can't be the only one that watches these videos not because I can afford them, but because Mat reviews them so nicely.

[@3nough229]

Im watching to know what to choose in the future xd

[@tylerplayss]

of coarse you wont be able to afford anything with that attitude

[@TobiasEllison]

No,I do it too I watch this because he reviews them at such a higher level than then rest of the car review channels and cars I wanna get in 5 or 6 years when I legally can

[@dominicrusho]

Obviously the Fiat Multipla is my SUV (Shoddy Used Vehicle) of choice for under £250

[@camwat5193]

Can you imagine the look of horror on face of the woman you are taking out when you turn up in that on your first date?

[@judyclarkson5887]

@@camwat5193 Could be a good way to filtering those women too

[@marksapollo]

@@camwat5193 you know women don’t care if you have a flashy car right?

[@raresradoi39]

@@marksapollo keep telling yourself that, lol

[@georgeionescu6425]

@@marksapollo is this a joke?women only care about money most of them

[@Mr6310i]

I absolutely love your reviews. Quick, efficient, and some humour, perfect blend

[@saadarfanulh3215]

Me:what's the most important thing in front seat of a car Matt: door bin capacity

[@lakshyadev2121]

you must be proud of the number of likes...

[@enira]

I like the fact that you are adding pictures of the basic versions. Usually car reviewers get the biggest trim level and when you are in the garage, you're usually not gonna spend a few grands on all the bits and plastic. Do the new Q5 next!

[@KilimitiFrriuuu]

The best thing carwow does is show you the actual differences between the trim levels. This helps a lot when wanting to buy a car, because the price (and visual) difference between different trims can be huge.

[@sherif.ghoneim]

I like this new review style in which you show old vs new models and also different trim levels.... Thank you And this is actually a very very good car...

[@EMTBR]

Thanks Carwow! I was PERFECTLY looking for a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Review!!

[@5amH45lam]

I can confirm and concur, @E MBTR has executed his 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan review search... PERFECTLY. 👌

[@TheTito16]

get an estate

[@mathairufus]

We did 17k kms ( in just 7 months)in our brand new 2 liter diesel high-line( not R line) Tiguan with full leather seats. Awesome car no words to say, we drive in Germany and the car is very stable in autobahn till 190 kmph. ( My advice: raised seating and full leather seats makes your long drives 10X comfortable, extra 2.5k spent on full leather is 10K worth, avoid R line)

[@autonewstv86]

Really wanting to get this new model over here in the states. This new facelift model has got my heart set on it, no doubt!

[@gtasanandreascluckinbell]

We are receiving it

[@ahmedelshimy8453]

Really good car.. Quality is excellent. Got it for 7 months now & still impressive for me.

[@mugu2pipe]

I just bought the 2021 Tiguan RLine Black edition and absolutely love it

[@hiiiofficial8306]

@@mugu2pipe its the best in class

[@mihaelamucusan5230]

@@gtasanandreascluckinbell Plinio il l66klyyik yjñmmmmmlp0plllpp0ppp

[@irfanrizalo]

1:38 Those wires tho lmao

[@joskjj3625]

Yikes hope they fix that as quickly as possible

[@xanthuumnihyr5319]

If we're peaky we also have chromes that aren't very well adjusted

[@conorf8091]

My shit box 2002 focus doesn’t have wires exposed ha... modern Vw build quality though. 2004-2010 bang on though

[@hiiiofficial8306]

@@joskjj3625 This is a first generation version basically a prototype

[@hiiiofficial8306]

@@conorf8091 This is the first generation version it’s a prototype

[@sanelemsomi5589]

Was looking to buy this car. Checked for your review on it first, couldn’t find it. Couldn’t watch the other journalists’ review so I opted for your old review of the old Tiguan. About time.

[@thompsy2k6]

Looking forward to your review of the Kodiaq 2021... Shame you cannot compare different trim levels in the videos, but I appreciate your opinions and the words. Thanks fella!

[@geko7844]

Still think the new Peugeot 2008 is the best small SUV for the money. Bought mine based on your review Matt and wasn’t disappointed. Great design in and out, lovely drive, plenty of features. Got my GTLine for under £23k.

[@cutemuzzu3081]

Mat ! I like that teaser @1.50 U R JUST BASIC, Awesome review ! Good Wishes from UAE .

[@stasn3715]

A good tip for carwow, you have also fans outside UK. So when you go through numbers just mentioned somewhere on the screen in liters and km. That will help a lot in my opinion. Thx, always nice to watch

[@BirdiesGoCherp]

1:37 the wiring for the sensor or camera is showing and doesn't look well insulated. What's up with that?

[@Olliebobalong]

Probably a dodgy build on this car, ive seen these facelift Tiguans and none of them have it. Not that you go looking specifically for it, but on this car its quite obvious lol

[@Sean-sx2td]

Yep saw that. It was jarring to look at lol

[@pau6827]

Cost cut

[@carreviewsbyma7457]

Volkswagen Tiguan R Line 2019 Review kzbin.info/www/bejne/o56wenWKmKljeas

[@jakobschepers2122]

This is probably pre production

[@knusperhirsch7056]

I really like the side by side comparison you did with the predecessor and basic model, would be great if you could do that for every car!

[@borjastick]

The Skoda Yeti is basically a VW Tiguan underneath the body. I have one from 7 years ago and when looking at the interior of the same year Tiguan they are identical. The Tiguan is a great vehicle and possibly only eclipsed by a Yeti. Of course they stopped making the Yeti so I would probably get a used Tiguan next time. Get one like mine though with the full Monty package with DSG and four wheel drive. Also on the Yeti the rear seats are individually removable. This turns it into a van if you want massive space.

[@peterkilleen3061]

Hi Matt, just a suggestion for your reviews on family suv’s or any family car really. For boot space test, also see how a standard sized pram fits. Otherwise good job all round from you as always 👍🏼

[@harper07harper]

Or, a set of golf clubs ;:P

[@elhakimz1]

1:38 what's this apparent cable

[@fk2468]

Parking sensor cable, weird that it’s visible

[@dr-ok3sn]

well VW lost a lot of money because of the diesel-scandal, they need to cheap out and can’t even afford anymore to hide a cable

[@CyAn-S]

It is a one-off on the car.

[@danielh3172]

69 likes... nice

[@margon80]

Spoted this immediatly. Hideous cables, look like aftermarket add-on.

[@RobertPaulson87]

Great review as usual! Is this updated Tiguan bigger than the previous model or is it exactly the same car, just updated panels etc? Thanks

[@rishabarora5303]

Has Mat ever said to any car that "Damn, this car has the biggest glove box" all the cars he reviews he is like "decent sized glove box"

[@emjay1249]

Lmao right

[@007Spadge]

Thanks this video is very useful, ours is arriving on January 7th, R-Line all Options, it's nice to see the car before it arrives IRL

[@stephenhill2404]

The best place to store the luggage cover (which won't fit under the floor) is to move all the back seats forward a bit and it slots nicely into the gap you create.

[@thakarparth419]

Great Quality Content i hope available in India as soon as possible

[@sheechan8407]

It's amazing VW can come up with different permutations for different market/ country. Mine is Tiguan Allspace 7 seater R Line 4 motion. Comes with 218bhp 350nm 2 litre petrol engine. Interior is mostly the same but we get the bigger 9.2 inch infotainment screen Harmon Kardon sound system. No panaromic sunroof for us who lives in the tropics. Adaptive dampers on 19" wheels. Most of the time, my 3rd row seats are folded total flat with 700 litres of boot space. No rear parcel panel instead we get the retractable cover n can kept neatly with the spare tyres (nothing to throw away!) The IQ lights (adaptive LED headlights) are amazing at night

[@mianobrooks7081]

Thank u ive been wait for this

[@sirdunster8419]

The parcel shelf does fit under the adjustable floor, you just have to read the instructions.

[@Mangofresh2012]

“You have to spot really closely to spot the difference between the old one and the new one” it is so obvious it’s a new design

[@lakshyadev2121]

Imagine looking at those two after a year. You really think they gonnaa look different??

[@budokai910]

@@lakshyadev2121 yes???

[@vclue846]

@@lakshyadev2121 are you blind?

[@mircoschwarzer5795]

Look at the back, there is not much big difference to see...

[@mehmetenessarkaya6876]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHnVq6Oua9-jq6c

[@Nimrodktm]

Recognized highstreet Egham instantly! Just down the road from the Mranello garage! I miss Royal Holloway...

[@jollychild5842]

I have the 2018 R-line tiguan, one of the nicest looking affordable SUV's, physical buttons and sporty looks. Such a good car.

[@bamboschambi560]

I have a 2019 R line and apart from the swiping rubbish (totally agree with you Matt) it looks identical inside and the techs the same. I think the old model looks much nicer as well. Warning don't buy the diesel 2.0 it has an awful delayed accelerator....bordering on dangerous when pulling out of junctions.

[@Deepthought-42]

Definitely a retrograde step with all the touch controls. Don’t work with wet hands or with gloves 😡

[@alexw3606]

12:10 Egham... good memories of my old university town 😂

[@BionicRusty]

I chose the XC40. Picked it up last week. Awesome car. ❤️

[@jawzeeshareef4615]

for every car Matt comes up with amazing examples. 😎

[@karloandraka3909]

This is like your “retro” review from back when u were in carbuyer

[@pqsaservices]

I can name another excellent SUV for under 25k, the SEAT Tarraco! It's actually the Tiguan Allspace with a SEAT badge, so the engines, gearboxes etc are all exactly the same as the Tiguan, but it's also a 7 seater and model for model is cheaper than the Tiguan Allspace. I'd love to see Matt do a review of the SEAT model. JontyRP

[@ryanfrisby7389]

Awesome video! I like the Tiguan!

[@lifea-broad.5113]

Nice review, I'll get this one.

[@nejcmavec]

Now can you do a Tuareg R review, that would be a cool one to see :D

[@assadlak9964]

Finally !! A VW review

[@amaslkw]

love my tiguan , reliable and spacious for family.

[@domlindgren]

I have the previous model and I'm quite pleased with the reversing camera, the one shown in the video looks like shit. I really like that they gave the reversing camera its own cleaning nozzle, saves you from going back there cleaning it all the time.

[@omarelmaimouni320]

Finally we got a proper Tiguan review :D

[@wilfredmwandembo712]

This car is amazing amazing 👌✨ good work volkswagen 👏👏

[@herono1ful]

you do nice reviews.. love to watch your videos.. i wanna see hyper cars drag race on your channel. buggati, koenissegg, Pagani, McLaren f1

[@hamzahafeez1505]

I loved the review. Please make a review on the MG Hs.

[@skap-jr9ig]

Every time matt says click on the pop out banner, down a shot. You'd probably be in hospital with liver failure within 10 minutes.

[@carreviewsbyma7457]

Volkswagen Tiguan R Line 2019 Review kzbin.info/www/bejne/o56wenWKmKljeas

[@robertahelena9442]

My mother Love this car. 2.0 litre turbo 320hp

[@sanumiah7390]

Were all waiting for the Tigaun R review Matt!!

[@chloscorner]

Best reviewer. So honest & funny!

[@costafilh0]

I like the old model better! Specially with Stage 2 Tuning! That 2.0L Turbo with that nice dual clutch gear box and 4wd make it goes nicely with 300hp easily!

[@n0nchalanc3]

7:21 Should we play a game and guess what Mat actually said was the boot capacity?

[@aaronthomas89]

It’s cos of the edit lol

[@ubayedkabir6977]

I think he said 720l by mistake

[@carreviewsbyma7457]

Volkswagen Tiguan R Line 2019 Review kzbin.info/www/bejne/o56wenWKmKljeas

[@Dreadpirateflappy]

the space saver isn't standard, and nor is the modular boot floor so it's likely he gave the figure without as stated in the brochure. which is 560 I believe.

[@ttvcitriccorgie51]

Love your vids carwow

[@danhentes8569]

i really enjoy paddle shifters. when you brake it shifts down automatically but when you accelerate it wont shift upwards. growing up with a pc and a steering wheel with paddle shifters does make it more enjoyable. i own a really underrated car imo: 2014 2.0l diesel engine 150hp golf sportsvan. perfect combo for me, stands between a 'sports' car and a 'minivan'. quick, spatious, economical. best i got was 5L/100 on a 700km trip. between 7-8L/100 in town (home->work)

[@kenanzahirovic7109]

In what world is 150 hp quick ?

[@pawanj1207]

9:26 He throws the cover 😂

[@Vccccn]

Hi Carwow. Tiguan Elegance trim comes with reverse camera as standard.

[@jb6368]

I rented a diesel model and was getting 55 mpg. I was amazed plus the seats are extremely comfortable. Before this I was completely anti VW for a lifetime but I got to admit it was one of the best motors I drove in while

[@MATTFL380]

And with the price of diesel at the pump all that mpg is undone by inflated prices which believe me are going a lot higher next year. Diesel cars are being phased out and eventually only a few petrols will be available as it’ll be a mix of hybrid and ev. Buying a diesel car is false economy. More regular service intervals, more west on internal parts and not only all this they sound bloody awful and are slower than their petrol counterparts. Diesel is shite

[@pinkypoohable]

​@@MATTFL380Wait until you receive your electric bills in the winter months and tell me if EV is cost effective. Not to mention the ever decreasing battery range at full charge.😅 I tried EV and I didn't like what I was experiencing. It only lasted 11 months and I traded it in with a 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI R Line DSG. I'm getting more miles and it's still cheaper compared to my staggeringly high electricity bills. 1,600 euros for months of October and November 2023. Just insane. EV is not the future. I can tell by the number of brand new EVs lying around waiting to be sold. It took me ages to sell my EV because nobody's buying them and it's depreciating in value. That's coming from a real life experience. EV is not the answer. I think Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars make more sense. Until then I will stick with my diesel.

[@Lilking619able]

Love the design of this

[@danielroach2633]

Looks like a sporty transporter from the front

[@callumrook2427]

Mat : “ the front of the car is very different “ Front of the car : the headlights are further apart 🙄

[@Florian-or4qi]

Whats your problem? I think the old one looks ugly and boring but this looks sexy

[@camwat5193]

@@Florian-or4qi Sexy? My God. In English “Tiguan” translates into “I have lost the will to live”.

[@hiiiofficial8306]

@@Florian-or4qi I completely agree

[@callumrook2427]

@@Florian-or4qi I don’t have a problem I’m quoting what mat said cause it was funny ?

[@budokai910]

The new grill and the new lights are very distinct from each other. It’s a totally new design direction

[@Theblackiesaga]

Matt, the cover DOES FIT underneath the trunk “floor”. You got to just flip it upside down.

[@Leo_Messi_on_top]

This car is so useful for a family!!!!👍🏻

[@ichheissedamian]

6:20 2020 Tiguan rewiev from 4 years ago?

[@erich7048]

9:18 there is already mud on the load cover, I wonder what it has been through

[@eek8605]

I have the new t-roc and i prefer using the touch sensitive buttons on the wheel because you can use it like normal physical buttons but it looks better lol, not sure why so many reviews complain, having multiple options to touch/slide or press the button normally is not a big deal

[@mlcerrone1]

My wife as a 2018 R-line arms the back trunk cover is a roll up style and it does fit under the false floor

[@wosby_limited]

As of 2018 reversing cameras have been mandatory on all new vehicles. Surprised they're still an "option" in the UK

[@K3nwood7]

Who else noticed the Golf 7.5 on the display at 14:45 when talking about the acc? 😂

[@lakshyadev2121]

Woah.. you are a genius to find that

[@hiiiofficial8306]

Yes it’s a Proto type for now it will be like that

[@PeDrOkAs24]

Yesss! Was searching for this comment!! ahahah

[@dimitardaskalov6293]

Sitting on the back seat of my Tiguan after watching that review looking for "Tiguan vs XX drag race" on the channel :D

[@Lochwood92]

Cant afford one of these although it looks the biz. I am however going for the Mk1 facelift R-Line and had a wee look at your carbuyer review from 10 years ago Matt 😂😂. Oh they were the days...😂 Amazing review as always buddy even with social distancing.. you just cover everything important.

[@per-akeskog7400]

"you have some deep pockets here in the back...and once again, they "R-line'd" " 😁😁😁😁

[@Olliebobalong]

The exposed cable under the bumper is a mishap with this particular model. My neighbour has nearly the same spec car they took delivery of the other week, and the cable is well and truly hidden. Pipe down internet lol.

[@jpch8814]

It is common trend to attack top car maker.

[@Olliebobalong]

@@jpch8814 100%.

[@younghans2328]

got my heart set out for this.. i wannnnt the 1.4ltr Petrol Turbo pleaseee!

[@hiiiofficial8306]

11.05 Nice to see it’s got a hydraulic strut

[@AutomobileGeeks]

Really like this. Great family car. Can't wait till this available on the VW configurator 👍🏻

[@ridgefrost]

Like how even as successful and huge carwow is their camera and sound quality hasn't really improved

[@zakariadjm5895]

I really don't like the gopros footage and sound quality 🤢

[@ridgefrost]

@@simonwilson7581 doesn't better video quality amount at least a bit to more viewers and therefore more money? 500k cameras might be a stretch but the video sure does look amazing

[@mariomario5368]

Hopefully you will review the R version soon cant wait

[@edr.cars1]

We have a 2018 R Line and we will definitely be getting the new one when the time comes to swap it.

[@Lu_Ka_Gaming]

13:16 The most british sentence I've ever heard 😂

[@mylesjahmu1443]

1:38 i think i can see the camera wires. Pretty shoddy job right there i reckon. However it's still a nice car.

[@pcpedroariel]

Mate even in my M5 I can see the wires. Honestly I dont know what you are faffing about

[@jorisknofun]

@@pcpedroariel looks kinda cheap anyway

[@fk2468]

@@pcpedroariel mate, me Honda Civic doesn’t show any wires 😉 better than the M5

[@pcpedroariel]

@@fk2468 lol Civic build quality is utter junk. Owned several

[@zaaz7721]

Hi Mat. would you please do a review about the new Kia sorento?

[@mileshandy1806]

Great review does this car have a heated windscreen 👍

[@sujalsurve_]

I come here for Mat Watson❤

[@ridgefrost]

Good on you

[@calinkln-enduroalba7507]

1:39 the plastic ornament from the front door is not well lined up... also all plastic look cheap..

[@299.1]

You can see the camera wiring as well at that time stamp

[@Petrol_head44]

@@299.1 yeah I too saw that. Not acceptable at this price.

[@Geilegarnele]

Its due to the perspective of the shot... check the other camera angles

[@engdaa]

It must be a pre-production car. You do not see it normally

[@johncross2787]

All those "swipe" functions mean you cannot use them while driving as they require closer attention. You can stop turning a knob and the "swipe" will stop but on a touch screen it tends to keep going.

[@TheMisterB2u]

Full rear red reflector strip ,just like Skoda vRS models.Easy to see at night by following vehicles!

[@yousifb5078]

13:10, nice a new car with a singular reverse light that's working

[@dr-ok3sn]

why do you need more? it’s bright enough in the night on the other side is the rear fog lamp

[@hiiiofficial8306]

It’s a bright LED light so you don’t need more than one

[@Blue2024_rs]

@@dr-ok3sn and in addition you can turn on the hazard lights

[@dafferdonk]

Where’s the new kuga hybrid review?

[@TheDJDannyJ]

Ordered an 1.5 R Line through carwow based on this review and a test drive. Super easy with a nice discount.

[@seancassidycowie4193]

the old R-Line came with the pan roof as standard. Need to spend a good bit on extras now to get the same spec as before

[@mrdl4v]

12:51 look the old Tiguan

[@Sansen01]

*very old

[@theplug4981]

@@Sansen01 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@dil3038]

"Be free load cover be freee" 😂😂😂😂

[@lakshyadev2121]

Woah... that's a unique comment

[@J0K3R229]

Good review! But have you filmed the driving scene with the built in rear-view camera? OMG, what kind of 2001 quality is that?

[@swissphillyd]

It was weird seeing Matt outside Barclays in Egham 😀

[@nassimfuentes777]

14:13 I guess the software devs were too lazy to change the image from a golf to a Tiguan 😂

[@thatone5350]

What happened to the sound and video quality during driving? 🤔

[@John2751]

They have recorded the video on a VGA camera!! 😂😂

[@lakshyadev2121]

True.. a couple of million subscribersgives you the luxury to shitting content

[@OtterlyInsane]

Complains about the rear view camera quality, shoots review in low quality..

[@matthewdavies3059]

Hey Matt, are you ever going to show a direct comparison between the Tiguan and the Cupra Ateca? cheers