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Used Volkswagen Tiguan Review
15 Mar 2024
The Volkswagen Tiguan may not be the most fun small SUV to drive in its class, but as a great all-rounder, it’s extremely difficult to beat. This family wagon is safe, spacious, solidly built, economical and comfy and quiet to drive, and that’s a lot of boxes to tick. And with the Mk2 having been around since 2016, you should have no problem finding a good used Volkswagen Tiguan for sale at an attractive price.
So, if you’re on the lookout for a preowned Volkswagen Tiguan, where should you start? Here’s our guide to the best engines, trim levels and how much a second-hand Tiguan is likely to set you back.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Strong and economical engine lineup
- Easy and comfortable to drive
- Loads of rear seat space
Cons
- More expensive than some of its rivals
- Plug-in hybrid models are hard to find
- Touch-sensitive controls are fiddly
How does it look?
The Volkswagen Tiguan's bold lines and dynamic curves give it a sporty and sophisticated look, while its signature LED headlights and taillights add a touch of elegance. The front grille is stylishly designed and complements the overall aesthetic of the vehicle. Other notable exterior features include chrome accents, a panoramic sunroof, and available 19-inch alloy wheels.
In terms of practicality, the Tiguan offers a spacious cargo area with a hands-free power liftgate for easy access. The rear seats can be folded down to create even more space, making it perfect for hauling large items or going on a road trip. Additionally, the Tiguan comes equipped with roof rails, allowing you to transport bicycles, kayaks, or any other outdoor gear with ease.
One area where the Tiguan does excel is in the amount of space you get, particularly in the rear. There’s enough head and leg room for the tallest passengers and space for three adults to sit comfortably in the back. The boot is also a great size, even by SUV standards, with a flat load lip that makes it easy to slide in large and heavy suitcases. And if you need even more space, it’s worth considering a used Tiguan Allspace, which is slightly longer than the normal model and has two additional foldout seats.
What’s it like to drive?
On the road, the Volkswagen Tiguan handles very nicely indeed. Its light steering makes it easy to manoeuvre around town while VW’s 4MOTION technology gives you enough grip and traction to handle any road conditions, although the front-wheel-drive is more fuel-efficient. The ride is also soft enough to smother road imperfections nicely while firm enough to provide the sort of handling you’d expect from a hatchback rather than an SUV.
Although there are more fun SUVs to drive, the Tiguan is one of the most refined, with wind and road noise kept to a minimum regardless of your speed. That helps to make it a relaxed and comfortable drive on motorways and country roads.
Safety features and technology
The safety of its passengers is a top priority for Volkswagen, and the Tiguan is equipped with a wide array of advanced safety features. It comes standard with features such as blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert, which help to enhance visibility and awareness on the road. Additionally, the Tiguan offers available safety technologies like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking.
When it comes to technology, the Tiguan is equipped with a host of innovative features. The Volkswagen Digital Cockpit allows you to customise the display to show important information such as navigation, speed, and fuel economy. The infotainment system is user-friendly and supports smartphone integration, so you can easily access your favourite apps and music on the go. Other notable features include a premium audio system, a wireless charging pad, and a rear-view camera for added convenience.
Is a second-hand Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
The Mk2 Volkswagen Tiguan enjoys a good reputation for reliability and most owners report being happy with their cars. The issues that do crop up are mainly problems with the DSG auto gearbox and faults with the electrics and sensors. In reliability tests, the petrol versions perform slightly better than the diesel engines, coming 23rd and 29th respectively out of 39 cars in the family SUV class.
Which is the best used Volkswagen Tiguan to buy?
At launch, there were four diesel units, including the underpowered 113bhp 2.0 TDI, the best-selling 148bhp 2.0 TDI, a more powerful 187bhp version and a twin-turbo 237bhp, all with 2.0-litre engines.
When it comes to the petrol versions, there were two 1.4-litre TSI engines at launch with 123bhp and 148bhp. They were replaced by two 1.5 TSI Evo engines in 2018 with similar power outputs. There was also a 178bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine that was replaced by a 187bhp and 227bhp version in 2019.
The post-2019 models also include an eHybrid, which provides an official 31 miles of electric range and delivers hot hatch performance (0-62mph in 7.5 seconds) when the petrol engine joins in.
Of these, we’d go for either the 148bhp 1.4 TSI petrol engine or the 148bhp 2.0 TDI, which both find the sweet spot between punch and economy. Spec-wise, the SE Nav trim provides all the features most drivers need, including that all-important sat-nav.
How much is a used Volkswagen Tiguan?
Preowned Volkswagen Tiguans are great value. Prices for the earliest second-generation models start at around £11,000, although it’s worth spending £13,000 for a 2016 model with average mileage and a full-service history. £15,000 will get you a lower mileage 2017 or 2018 model, while £19,000 to £22,000 will get you a nice car from 2019. A post-facelift or early 2020 model will cost upwards of £23,000, and you can expect to spend between £24,000 and £32,000 for a Tiguan from 2021 or 2022.