2025 VW Tiguan SE R-Line Black AWD: New Design Looks To Go After The Best-Selling Toyota RAV4

Highlight: The Tiguan's new engine produces 17 additional horsepower than its predecessor.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $39,230 (Base MSRP): $31,670

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Equipment: ABS; air bags; a rear camera; a blind spot monitoring system; a lane departure warning system’ hill descent control; a tire pressure monitoring system; a spare tire

Standard Equipment (on test vehicle): 20-inch wheels; a push button engine start; an 8-speed automatic transmission; an automatic dual zone climate control system; leather-like seating surfaces; power driver’s seat; heated front seats; a manual operated tilt/telescopic steering wheel; a panoramic power sunroof with sunshade; black roof rails; heated foldable power exterior mirrors; R-line grille badging; a remote engine start feature; a remote power rear liftgate; heated front washer nozzles; a 13-inch infotainment screen; a heads up display (HUD); an in-vehicle wireless charger; an auto dimming rearview mirror; a leather wrapped steering wheel;  illuminated exterior door handles; a power liftgate; keyless entry system, locking and unlocking

Options: Monterey Blue with Deep Black Exterior Roof

Other Trim Levels:

SE

SEL-R Line

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: an 6-speaker AM/FM audio system with SiriusXM

Android/Apple CarPlay: Yes

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles

Engine/Horsepower (Test Vehicle): 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder/201-hp

Standard Fuel Mileage: 22-city/30-hwy (test model)

Towing Capabilities: 1,500 lbs

What’s New: The Tiguan receives a total makeover for the 2025 model year, wearing an all-new design.

Why:

A sporty stylish design

An available integrated light bar in front grille

An available Black roof package

An available adjustable front lightning system

FWD or AWD configurations

A variety of trims

20-inch wheels available

Leather seating available on higher trim

An adjustable front center armrest

Massaging front seats available

An available navigation system

An available 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system/screen

A peppy engine, delivering over 200-horsepower

A power panoramic roof is available

Heated and ventilated front seats available

Heated rear seat available

A radar-activated cruise control system

A 12-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system is available

A parking assist parallel and perpendicular parking

A variety of driving modes

A three-zone automatic climatic control system

Natural voice control with ChatGPT

But:

An extremely noisy engine, when turned off, like a high-performance vehicle the cooling fan runs for several minutes, after turning off before complete silence occurs

A higher base MSRP than the Toyota RAV4, the number one best-seller in the compact market

Depending upon the trim, the new Tiguan pricing can tip over the $40,000 mark

Only one powertrain, no electrified model available

Slightly less horsepower than the best-selling vehicle in the segment

A longer bumper-to-bumper new car warranty than the best-selling vehicle in the class and many other models

The adjustable front center armrest lacks a true hidden storage compartment

No brake hold feature

The removal of knobs and switches from the infotainment system --- everything works off of a rotary dial system located near the center armrest

Verdict: The all-new Tiguan exudes a sportier and more athletic flair for the 2025 year. In fact, the vehicle, which is available in several trims, is just downright gorgeous, depending upon the trim, wheel size and features selected.

This year’s model is powered by a four-cylinder gasoline powertrain, which spews out a respectable 201-horsepower. Unfortunately, unlike some of the compact crossovers in this competitive segment, the Tiguan lacks electrification.  

Despite not being electrified, the Tiguan's horsepower is more than adequate. In fact, this year’s new engine equates to more horsepower and MPG, when compared to its predecessor. However, it was quite unusual that this new engine mimics that of a high-performance sports car, after the vehicle has been driven and turned off. In a somewhat unusual manner, the noisy cooling fan runs for several minutes, after the Tiguan has been turned off.

Outside of that slight annoyance, this year’s comfortable riding Tiguan offers a number of premium touches too, ranging from a two-tone black roof treatment to massaging front seats to parallel/perpendicular parking.

Overall, while this is arguably the best Tiguan to date, it still falls somewhat short when compared to the competitions in terms of electrification and a higher price point for the base model.

Competition: Chevy Equinox; Ford Escape; GMC Terrain; Honda HR-V; Hyundai Tuscon; and Kia Sportage