Up until the start of 2025, a good quiz question was — ‘What is currently the top-selling Volkswagen model in the UK?’

Most people would probably have said the Golf. Well, they’d have been wrong, because the larger Tiguan was the model which Volkswagen shifted the most here in Blighty. Things have changed more recently, however, and the T-Roc is now the company’s top seller.

One of the reasons why the Tiguan lost its crown is that Volkswagen has updated the model. Sales tend to dip when one version is phased out and another moves in. I’m not sure about the looks. The outgoing Tiguan had a certain, mildly aggressive appearance, but this latest version looks a bit anonymous in comparison. Granted, Volkswagen was never going to do anything radical, but I think they’ve gone too far in the opposite direction in an effort to play things safe. It’s lost some of its character.

Perhaps you disagree.

Tiguan Powertrain options

I’ve been trying the PHEV model, which will appeal to both company drivers and to those of you who do a lot of stop-start town driving.

Here’s a quick rundown of the range of powertrains.

There’s a choice of power — 129bhp or 147bhp — from a mild hybrid 1.5 litre petrol eTSI unit which gives an estimated 44.6-47.7mpg. The hybrid assistance is mainly to help get the car rolling. There are two 1.5 litre plug-in hybrids churning out either 201bhp or 268bhp. Go for the 2.0-litre petrol engine (not available on the entry-level trims) if you want some performance. It’s the same engine that you’ll find in the VW Golf GTi, offering 262bhp and all-wheel drive. All models get a DSG automatic ‘box with either 6 or 7 gears.

Battery Range & Charging Times

Most of my driving is either within a city or on the motorway, so either of the PHEV Tiguan powertrains makes sense. Volkswagen reckons you can manage around 62 miles on battery power alone, which, for a lot of you reading this, could easily be your daily commute. Either plug it in at work or when you get home, and you’ll be sorted for the next day. One bonus of the Tiguan’s battery setup is that you can plug it into a rapid charger. Many PHEVs restrict you to lower power and much slower chargers. Consequently, you’ll get back to a full battery from almost empty in around 30 minutes. A typical home charger wallbox will give you a full boost in around four hours.

VW also reckons that for most people doing a mix of urban and motorway work, you can manage around 170mpg. Impressive if you make full use of the PHEV set-up.

Trim Levels, Prices & Performance Figures

There are five trim levels in the Volkswagen Tiguan: Life, Match, Style, R-Line and Black Edition. R-Line is the only trim where you can get the 2.0-litre engine.

Life trim with the entry-level 1.5 litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine kicks off the range at £38,920 (May ’26). Add around £800 if you want the more powerful petrol engine or, in our case, £42,875 for the 1.5 litre 201bhp eHybrid PHEV. A £3k outlay for the PHEV model is competitive and will make the potentially terrific mpg something that both business and private buyers will consider is worth it. Do the sums.

Performance is decent, and expect a 0-60mph sprint to take around 8.2 seconds, which is quick enough for most driving conditions. This is a family-oriented SUV, so Volkswagen hasn’t gone down the sporty route…unless you fork out over £50k for the 2.0 litre version. All other engine options are aimed fair and square at economy, comfort and flexibility. Fair enough.

Driving Experience

Out on the road, the Tiguan is a thoroughly well-sorted car. The only glitch I found was when pulling away from a junction. You need to anticipate joining any traffic because there’s a pause between hitting the throttle and producing some forward motion. This is down to the DSG gearbox and affects similar powertrains from other manufacturers. You get used to it, though.

The fact that you can get more than 60 miles using battery power alone makes the eHybrid Tiguan very much like an electric car to drive, but with the comforting reassurance of an engine for when the battery decides to give up the ghost. The engine makes a bit of a racket when you ask for some power, but it soon settles and allows for relaxed motoring.

The ride edges towards the firm side, but the bonus is that the Tiguan does have a bit of a sporty nature, so it’s actually good fun to chuck around.

Interior & Kit

Inside is a seriously smart affair. The 10.3-inch driver display is crisp and clear and I’d recommend the optional head-up display. The dashboard is dominated by the infotainment screen, while there are slider controls for temperature and a knob between the seats which adjusts volume and the drive modes. The buttons on the steering wheel are also easy to use and much better than the horrible haptic controls, which Volkswagen favoured and is now ditching. Great.

Even though the car I had on test was entry-level Life trim, it still means you get sat nav, 3-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, power and folding mirrors, keyless entry, powered lumbar support for the front seats, wireless charging, 18-inch alloys, LED headlights, 12.9-inch infotainment central display, 10.25-inch driver display, DAB radio and a rear view camera.

My choice would have been the Match trim, which only costs a couple of hundred quid extra, but gets you powered tailgate, roof rails, heated front seats and additional exterior lighting. It’s worth the additional outlay.

Should you buy it?

As a family holdall or business commuter, the Volkswagen Tiguan ticks a lot of the boxes. It’s roomy, comfortable, good to drive and well equipped. The Match trim represents decent value, too. This might be the third generation of the Tiguan, but it plays all the trump cards which have appeared in the two previous versions. Whether it can make it back to the top of the Volkswagen sales charts, time will tell, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised.

words: Graham Courtney
pictures: Volkswagen

Volkswagen Tiguan Review | Looking to top the Charts