2025 VW Tiguan SE Review: A Stronger Value Proposition Than CR-V?

Redesigned 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

• 🚀 The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan has been redesigned, moving from a compact crossover with an optional third row to a more conventional two-row model, aiming to compete directly with rivals like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.
• ✨ The exterior features an all-new look with full LED lighting, raised roof rails, and a more muscular stance, while the interior boasts a 12.9-inch infotainment system and a 10-inch digital gauge cluster.

Exterior and Interior Design

• 💡 The front end showcases LED headlights with integrated daytime running lamps and turn signals, a distinctive grille design that incorporates active air shutters, and a sculpted hood.
• 🎨 The SE trim features 19-inch machine aluminum wheels, silver mirror caps, and color-matched door handles, with a design that blends flat black and flat gray finishes for a modern aesthetic.
• 🛋️ Inside, the cabin offers soft-touch materials, ambient lighting, Alcantara-style accents, and contrast stitching, creating a premium feel for the SE trim.

Powertrain and Performance

• ⚙️ Under the hood, the Tiguan is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine producing 201 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
• 📈 This setup achieves an estimated 29 MPG city and 34 MPG highway, with a 0-60 mph time of approximately 8.5 seconds.
• 🏋️ Front-wheel-drive models can tow up to 1,500 lbs, while all-wheel-drive versions can tow up to 1,800 lbs.

Technology and Features

• 📱 The infotainment system, a 12.9-inch touchscreen, controls features like ambient lighting (with full RGB spectrum) and climate settings, though climate controls require navigating through the screen.
• 🔌 Connectivity includes wireless charging, two USBC ports, and a 12-volt outlet, with a new electric shifter mounted on the steering column.
• 🔊 The 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster offers customizable views with clear graphics, enhancing the driver's experience.

Space and Practicality

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 With the removal of the third row, the Tiguan offers a more generous cargo area, providing 27 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up and expanding to 57 cubic feet when folded flat.
• 📦 The cargo area includes a spare tire under the floor and a 12-volt outlet, with easy-to-access handles for folding the rear seats.
• 🌟 The SE trim, priced around $34,000, is highlighted as a potential sweet spot in the lineup, offering a good balance of features and value compared to competitors.

Driving Experience

• 🛣️ The redesigned Tiguan provides a comfortable and refined driving experience with good visibility, minimal road and wind noise, and well-balanced handling for a crossover SUV.
• 👍 The interior materials and seating comfort are praised, contributing to a more high-end feel, though the reliance on the touchscreen for climate and other functions is noted as a drawback.
• 💨 While not the fastest, the engine offers adequate acceleration for daily driving, with a higher-horsepower version expected in the future.