Used 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan offers an affordable European take on the compact SUV, offering unique features like a 3rd-row seat, configurable digital cockpit instrument cluster and the best bumper-to-bumper warranty in the segment, providing coverage for six years or 72,000 miles, whichever comes first. The Tiguan is considerably larger than a Mazda CX-5, offers more luxury features than a Honda CR-V and is more powerful than a Nissan Rogue. However, the VW is more expensive than many of its competitors, and unlike the Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota RAV4 and others, doesn’t include a full set of driver-assist features on every trim. The Tiguan also holds only average resale values and is too new to ascertain its long-term reliability.

VW’s 2019 Tiguan’s excellent steering and pedal response — expected attributes of any VW — contribute to an overall driving feel that’s among the best in the segment. Highway ride is firmer than that of some other small SUVs, but excellent seats, a quiet cabin and superior steering feel qualify the new Tiguan as an excellent long-haul companion. While the Tiguan’s turbocharged engine generates impressive horsepower and torque, a base Tiguan is a whopping 450 pounds heavier than a base Honda CR-V. City scooting and highway cruising are barely impacted, but the added mass is evident in highway merging and passing situations. Although the Tiguan is a bit longer than most compact SUVs, good outward visibility and a decent turning diameter combine to make it a breeze in parking lots. The Tiguan also offers a host of available technologies that make parking maneuvers even easier. Rear Traffic Alert with Braking will warn you of cars coming down the aisle you’re backing into, and can automatically stop the car if necessary. The Overhead View Camera provides a bird’s-eye view of the vehicle and its surroundings, an increasingly common feature that remains among our favorites. Park Distance Control with Maneuver Braking incorporates front and rear parking sensors that warn you of close objects and can even stop the car if you’re about to back into something.

VW has always delivered when it comes to interior design and craftsmanship, and the 2019 Tiguan SUV continues the tradition. There are loads of storage spaces, with a large bin containing the power and USB ports within easy reach of the driver and passenger. Seats are on the firm side but supportive with good bolstering. The padded center armrest is in just the right spot, but is missing the convenient ratcheting height-adjustable feature offered on other VWs. The second row both slides and reclines, with a 40/20/40 split to allow for various combinations of passengers and cargo. The available 3rd-row seat is pretty small, and probably only fit for short trips with even shorter occupants, but it’s a nice feature to have in a pinch. Five-passenger models provide an impressive 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space, a bit less than the Nissan Rogue but more than the Ford Escape or Subaru Forester. A motion-activated rear tailgate is triggered by waving your foot under the bumper and will automatically close itself after detecting the key fob has moved out of range.

The Tiguan’s distinctive and well-tailored look is sure to be among its bigger draws. Although the new Hyundai Santa Fe is nearly two inches longer, few other compact SUVs come close to the Tiguan’s size. VW’s creased design is reserved but attractive, with a set of sophisticated LED taillights that exude a premium look and feel. SEL Premium models feature LED headlights and cool daytime running lights, while the available R-Line package gives the Tiguan a sportier look that includes unique, larger wheels.

6-YEAR/72,000-MILE WARRANTY
While Hyundai and Kia are famous for their long powertrain warranty, VW’s upends everyone with an amazing 6-year or 72,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty that’s fully transferable. For those who still have misgivings about VW long-term reliability, this new warranty goes a long way to alleviating those fears.

APPLE CARPLAY AND ANDROID AUTO
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow smartphone integration with the car’s infotainment and audio systems. Need directions? You can access Google Maps. Want to listen to your favorite music? Just use your favorite music app. You can even receive and dictate text messages without ever touching your phone.

While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are finally starting to become more common in the category, in the new Tiguan they’re included as standard equipment as part of the Car-Net App-Connect package. Also included in the Tiguan’s base price are the 3rd-row seat, a 6.5-inch touch-screen infotainment system, Bluetooth and USB smartphone connectivity, a rearview camera, and a 40/20/40-split/sliding/reclining/fold-flat 2nd-row seat.

In addition to a range of active-safety technologies and traditional upgrades like leather seats and premium audio, Tiguan option highlights include a panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, a bird’s-eye parking camera, keyless entry/start, a hands-free liftgate with walk-away closing, and a 12.3-inch customizable digital instrument panel. As for VW’s Car-Net infotainment system, stepping up to the subscription-based Security & Service group adds capabilities like remote vehicle lock/unlock, automatic crash notification, and the parent-friendly Family Guardian with features including remote speed and boundary alerts. The range-topping Guide & Inform group includes built-in navigation plus the subscription-based SiriusXM Travel Link that includes traffic and weather info, plus local fuel prices, sports scores and movie information.

The front-wheel-drive (FWD) Volkswagen Tiguan for 2019 weighs in at a hefty 3,777 pounds, qualifying it as the heavyweight champion of the category. As such, its EPA fuel economy ratings are on the low side of the category average, but for most drivers it works out to just an extra gallon or two per month. The added mass also takes a toll on acceleration, even with 221 lb-ft of torque on tap from 1,600 rpm. The Tiguan’s available 4Motion all-wheel-drive (AWD) system features a mechanical center differential and electronic differential locks, allowing it to transfer power front-to-back and side-to-side. The system also includes a variety of driver-selectable modes, including On-Road, Snow, Off-Road and Custom Off-Road. Within the On-Road mode are four additional settings: Normal, Sport, Eco and Custom. Combined with 7.9 inches of ground clearance, a 4Motion-equipped Tiguan should deliver as much foul-weather and off-road capability and confidence as most anything in the segment. The sole transmission is an 8-speed automatic, and towing capacity is 1,500 pounds.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
184 horsepower @ 4,400-6,000 rpm
221 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-4,300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/29 mpg (FWD), 21/29 mpg (AWD)