With a new yet familiar look, the redesigned 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan must confront many rivals in the compact crossover segment. However, its biggest improvement is arguably found behind the wheel.
The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan introduces a third generation for the compact crossover in Canada. It sports a fresh exterior design, a more elegant interior and updated tech, all welcome changes as its competition is both plentiful and constantly improving.
Built on an evolution of outgoing Tiguan’s MQB platform, appropriately called MQB Evo, the third-gen model rides on a virtually identical wheelbase, while being slightly shorter overall, but wider and taller. On paper, front-seat accommodations are about the same, but rear-seat occupants get more headroom and legroom, the latter made possible by eliminating the optional third-row seat. That was probably an easy decision to make for Volkswagen, as in Canada, only 10 percent of second-generation Tiguan buyers actually chose it. It was small and uncomfortable, not to mention difficult to access.
With the third row out of the way, we’d expect an improvement in cargo space. Nope. With the rear seatbacks up, volume has dropped from 934 to 750 litres compared with the second-gen model, and with the seatbacks folded, volume now amounts to 1,668 litres, compared to 2,081 in the old Tiguan.
Under the hood, the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0L inline-four engine, just like in every Tiguan sold in Canada and in the U.S. since it arrived for the 2009 model year. However, this latest variant produces 201 horsepower as well as 221 pound-feet of torque between 1,500 to 4,750 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard in Canada, as is an all-wheel drivetrain that feeds power to the front wheels under normal driving conditions, and can instantly reassign up to 50 percent of that power to the rear wheels when slippage is detected. Towing capacity is rated at 816 kilograms or 1,800 pounds.
City/highway/combined fuel economy figures are rated at 10.5/7.8/9.3 L/100 km, and regular fuel can be used. The previous-generation Tiguan was rated at a combined 9.4 to 9.7 L/100 km, so the improvement here is marginal, despite the new generation’s more aerodynamic bodywork and a weight loss—shedding up to 170 pounds or 77 kilograms, according to the brand. During out test, we managed a decent 8.8 L/100 km.
We’ll note here that a new engine is available in the 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan, which is already arriving in showrooms. A higher-output 2.0L four is optional, delivering 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque in variants called Tiguan Turbo. Which is ironic, because all Tiguan trim levels are turbocharged.
In addition to the usual Normal, Sport, Eco and Individual drive modes, the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan now offers Snow and Offroad settings as well, all modifying engine, transmission, steering, adaptive cruise control as well as hill start and hill descent control system parameters. It’s all configurable using the console-mounted multifunction rotary dial, also used to control audio system volume. In addition, Volkswagen’s IQ.Drive semi-autonomous drive assist system is now standard on all trim levels.
In Canada, the Tiguan is available in Trendline, Comfortline, Comfortline R-Line Black Edition and Highline R-Line trim levels. Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, LED exterior lighting, heated windshield washer nozzles, rain-sensing windshield wipers, front and rear park sonar, an intelligent key with remote engine start, dual-zone automatic climate control, cloth seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a 10.25-inch digital driving instrument cluster, a 12.9-inch infotainment system touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, a six-speaker audio system and wireless phone charging. The active safety list also rounds up adaptive cruise control, forward emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and lane keep assist, among other things.
The Tiguan Comfortline adds 18-inch wheels, a power liftgate, a cargo cover, 10-colour ambient lighting, leatherette upholstery and a 12-way power driver’s seat. The Comfortline R-Line Black Edition offers cosmetic upgrades such as black mirror caps, window surrounds, roof rails and 20-inch alloy wheels, along with illuminated door handles, brushed aluminum pedals, a black headliner and an R-Line sport steering wheel. A power panoramic sunroof is optional on the Comfortline, standard on the Comfortline R-Line Black Edition.
The Tiguan Highline R-Line also benefits from surround exterior lighting with puddle lamps, a heated windshield, power-folding mirrors, park assist, a hands-free power liftgate, three-zone climate control, quilted leather upholstery, a 12-way power front passenger seat, open-pore wood trim, ventilated and massaging front seats, heated outboard rear seats, head-up display, a surround-view camera system, a Harman/Kardon 12-speaker stereo, navigation, a 15-inch infotainment touchscreen and 30-colour ambient lighting.
In Canada, 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan pricing ranges from $39,295 to $50,795, which includes freight and delivery charges, the $100 federal A/C tax and $500 dealer fees. In the United States, the Tiguan is listed from $31,670 to $41,930.
Compact crossover competition includes the Buick Envision, the Chevrolet Equinox and Chevrolet Equinox EV, the Ford Bronco Sport and Ford Escape, the GMC Terrain, the Honda CR-V, the Hyundai Tucson, the Jeep Compass, the Kia Sportage, the Mazda CX-5 and Mazda CX-50, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and Mitsubishi Outlander, the Nissan Rogue, the Subaru Forester and the Toyota RAV4.
Why You Should Buy a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan
- As we’ve mentioned earlier, the new Tiguan is much more fun to drive, and it starts with the engine. The turbo 2.0L four is built with a bunch of new parts—turbocharger, charge cooler, injection system, camshaft design—along with shorter connecting rods, but the end result is that it feels much livelier than the engine in the second-gen Tiguan, despite the modest power increase.
- The Tiguan’s interior looks and feels richer than before, at least in the range-topping Highline. We like the wood trim, we like the mix of colours and textures, and we like the high levels of fit and finish. The huge touchscreen in the Highline trim level is impressive, as is the Harman/Kardon sound system.
- The crossover’s cabin is well-insulated, providing quietness so front and rear occupants can engage in a conversation without shouting. That, in addition to great seat comfort and support, despite the lack of a rear-seatback angle adjustment, combine to make the Tiguan a good road trip vehicle.
- Despite the improvements, Volkswagen managed to keep the Tiguan’s price competitive. Sure, it’s about $2,000 more than the 2024 model, but the standard feature list is more generous than before.
Why You Shouldn’t Buy a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan
- The dashboard design may be stylish, once again, form takes over function in the case of the climate system’s temperature and fan speed controls. The touch-sensitive zones can be tapped or we can slide our fingertip on them, but in both cases, they’re not very user friendly, and distracting while we’re concentrating on the road ahead. The cabin air recirculation function, A.K.A. the skunk roadkill button, is buried in the on-screen climate control interface.
- Don’t get us wrong, we love the energetic new engine. However, fuel consumption is only marginally better. Many of the Tiguan’s rivals are more frugal at the pump.
- Equipped with the 20-inch wheels, the Tiguan’s ride a stiff around town. It’s not a big deal and it’s not the only compact utility vehicle with this trait, but if our daily drive is concentrated in urban areas, a Trendline or Comfortline variant might be a more suitable choice.
- As we pointed out earlier, cargo space is down by a notable amount. We’ll blame the shorter rear overhang for that, but the Tiguan’s cargo hold went from being one of the most spacious in its category to one of the smallest.
Should You Buy a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan?
In one fell swoop, Volkswagen transformed the Tiguan from one of the most boring compact crossovers to drive to one of the most engaging—just like the first-generation model was. It’s also more refined and can aspire to be a premium-class vehicle, a little like the Mazda CX-5 and the Buick Envision. What that means is that it’s posher than your average mainstream brand model, but not as lavish or costly as a crossover wearing a luxury-brand badge.
However, it isn’t quite as versatile as the second-gen Tiguan, we’d like more physical controls to reduce driver distraction, and it isn’t any more fuel-efficient. For that, we’ll have to wait another year or so for a hybrid powertrain to be introduced, which Volkswagen promised would come.
| Specifications | |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan | 2026 Chevrolet Equinox | 2025 Honda CR-V | 2025 Mazda CX-5 | 2025 Nissan Rogue | 2025 Toyota RAV4 | |
| Price Range ($CAD) | $39,295 to $50,795 | $37,098 to $51,028 | $39,475 to $53,575 | $35,990 to $49,140 | $36,749 to $48,349 | $36,484 to $64,874 |
| Engines | - Turbo 2.0L I4 | - Turbo 1.5L I4 | - Turbo 1.5L I4 - 2.0L I4 HEV | - 2.5L I4 - Turbo 2.5L I4 | - Turbo 1.5L I3 | - 2.5L I4 - 2.5L I4 HEV - 2.5L I4 PHEV |
| Output (hp) | 201 | 175 | 190 to 204 | 187 to 256 | 201 | 203 to 302 |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 221 | 184 to 203 | 179 to 247 | 185 to 320 | 225 | 184 to 163 + 199 + 89 |
| Combined Fuel Economy (L/100 km) | 9.3 | 8.7 to 8.9 | 6.4 to 8.4 | 8.5 to 9.8 | 7.2 to 7.6 | 6.0 to 8.5 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,791 | 2,730 | 2,700 | 2,698 | 2,706 | 2,690 |
| Length (mm) | 4,684 | 4,653 | 4,695 | 4,575 | 4,648 | 4,596 to 4,611 |
| Width (mm) | 1,853 | 1,902 | 1,867 | 1,844 | 1,840 | 1,854 |
| Height (mm) | 1,688 | 1,666 | 1,690 | 1,679 to 1,684 | 1,689 | 1,707 to 1,743 |
| Headroom Front/Rear (mm) | 971 to 1,900 / 975 to 1,008 | 970 to 1,016 / 960 to 996 | 1,016 / 970 | 999 to 1,009 / 991 | 995 to 1,044 / 960 to 996 | 958 to 991 / 1,001 to 1,016 |
| Legroom Front/Rear (mm) | 1,022 / 1,021 | 1,039 / 1,013 | 1,049 / 1,042 | 1,041 / 1,007 | 1,054 / 978 | 1,039 / 960 |
| Cargo Volume Min/Max (L) | 750 / 1,668 | 844 / 1,798 | 1,113 / 2,166 | 871 / 1,680 | 895 to 1,033 / 2,098 | 1,059 / 1,977 |
| Max Towing Capacity (kg) | 816 | 363 to 680 | 453 to 680 | 907 | 680 | 680 to 1,588 |
