Volkswagen Tiguan: old vs new compared

The Volkswagen Tiguan SUV is an incredibly important model for the brand – it competes in one of the most competitive and valuable sectors in the market. The current generation has been on sale since 2008 and remains a classy and highly rated option but there’s now a new Tiguan that promises big changes.

Volkswagen claims the new car offers interior quality and refinement to rival much more expensive alternatives, while continuing to offer running costs and an affordable price that keeps it in reach of many family buyers. Read on to see how the new car compares to its popular forebear.

Before the new model arrives, there’ll be progressively better savings offered on the outgoing version. Put the current Volkswagen Tiguan in our car configurator to see the deals carwow could help you get.

Volkswagen Tiguan old vs new – styling

Volkswagen might not be known for pushing the boundaries in terms of vehicle styling but, for a first effort, the original Tiguan had pretty well resolved styling. It’s upright stance hinted at its light off-roading potential, but it still had a fairly reserved look that could be mistaken for a slightly bloated Golf or a shrunken Touareg. You might argue, however, that it looks a little dull, especially in certain colours or with small alloy wheels.

However Volkswagen seems to have stepped up its game for the new model – it gets an even chunkier look and sharper edges that are certainly a lot more SUV-like than before. The 2016 Tiguan is a bit bigger in every dimension and the shorter front overhang (the distance between the start of the bumper to edge of the front wheel) gives it a more solid stance. There’s a whole family of Tiguan-based models coming in the next few years, so expect to see even larger versions on UK roads.

Volkswagen Tiguan old vs new – interior

Look inside the outgoing Tiguan and you’ll find a family-friendly environment that mixes good quality materials with an air of spaciousness and good visibility. The high mounted infotainment screen and vents echo the brand’s practical MPVs and this ergonomically friendly layout worked well for legions of buyers.

However, the new car has a premium feel that belies the Tiguan’s humble underpinnings. Materials are of an even higher quality than before and the whole layout comes across as a lot more car-like than before. When you factor in a much larger infotainment screen and Volkswagen’s own version of Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, you have a seriously nice place to sit.

In terms of space, the new model has its predecessor licked, too. The previous Tiguan was already one of the more spacious options in its class, with a 470 litre boot and plenty of room for five. The new car ups this to a plentiful 615 litres – 35 more than even the much larger Touareg and noticeably more than crossover rivals including the Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage.

Volkswagen Tiguan old vs new – driving

You probably won’t be surprised to find the Tiguan is based on the same platform as the Golf although, in the case of the outgoing car, it’s the previous generation Golf. Nevertheless, it handled well and was remarkably car-like in terms of its driving experience, although the ride was stiffened to prevent body roll, albeit not to an uncomfortable level.

The new Tiguan hasn’t been test driven on many roads yet but, considering it’s based on Volkswagen’s MQB platform – the same as the latest Golf – we predict it’ll handle excellently. Expect a compliant ride and solid handling, while optional 4Motion four-wheel drive will give the Tiguan a even more grip for owners in rural areas. Most cars come with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, with a seven-speed DSG automatic as an option.

Volkswagen Tiguan old vs new – engines

The choice of engines for either Tiguan can be a little overwhelming, but the outgoing model essentially offers a choice between 1.4-litre and 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engines, or a 2.0-litre diesel. The petrol engines are less torque and return worse fuel economy than the diesels so aren’t favoured by buyers.

The list of engines for the new car is even more comprehensive. There will be two versions of the 1.4-litre petrol engine with 123 or 147hp, and two versions of the 2.0-litre petrol with either 178hp or 217hp. On top of these, we’d expect some sort of petrol-electric hybrid to be launched to compete with the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

Diesel options should encompass various versions of the familiar 2.0-litre unit. It should be offered with either 114, 148, 188 and 236hp so there should be something for everyone’s tastes.

Volkswagen Tiguan old vs new – value for money

The outgoing Tiguan was never the cheapest crossover but, with carwow, you can probably buy one for less than you’d think. All models get basics including air conditioning and alloy wheels, but you need to step up a few trim levels to get sat-nav and Bluetooth. It costs just under £23,000 for the basic S trim, and rises to more than £30,000 if you choose sporty R-Line trim with the most powerful diesel engine.

Prices for the new car haven’t been announced, but it’s widely expected to be very similar to the outgoing car. That’s impressive, considering the new Tiguan is a much improved vehicle in terms of size, space and quality. Once you add a few choice options and a powerful engine, however, you’ll probably find you can pay nearly £40,000 for a fully maxed out Tiguan.

Running costs on the new car are noticeably cheaper, though. The original Tiguan returned between 34 and 53mpg – not entirely impressive compared to modern rivals. Even the most powerful petrol versions of the new model, however, are expected to return closer to 40mpg, with the most efficient diesels managing to beat the 60mpg mark. Add in lower road tax figures and the Tiguan shouldn’t be any more expensive to run than the average family hatchback.

Volkswagen Tiguan old vs new – release date

You can order your new Tiguan later in 2016, with an expected delivery date around April for the first UK-bound models. You can still grab the current version though and you’re likely to grab a bargain because dealers will be keen to clear out old stock.

Save money on your new Volkswagen Tiguan

Save money on the outgoing model by speccing one up in our Volkswagen Tiguan deals page. Check out our review of the new Tiguan if you want to wait for the latest model. For more options, head over to our car chooser to narrow down your search.