Next-Gen VW Tiguan Revealed – But American Drivers Will Have to Wait

The third-generation Volkswagen Tiguan made its debut Tuesday morning and it delivers a number of updates and apparent improvements over the outgoing model — among other things introducing two new plug-in hybrid options that can deliver up to 62 miles in all-electric mode.

There are a number of new safety features and an upgraded chassis with adaptive damping and new electronic locking differentials.

Unless you live in Europe, however, don’t go racing to your local VW showroom. In a news release, the German automaker said Americans should “Be advised, the U.S. version of the next-generation Tiguan is based on the LWB version of the car, which will debut next year.”

Roomier cabin

The short-wheelbase European model measures 179.2 inches in length, 76.3 inches in width, 64.6 inches in height and has a 105.5-inch wheelbase. It’s about 1.3 inches longer than the outgoing model, though other dimensions are essentially unchanged. Both cargo and rear seat legroom grow slightly.

The second-generation U.S. Tiguan is about 6 inches longer than the one sold in VW’s home market. Preliminary reports suggest the new long-wheelbase version of the SUV will get at least that much of a stretch, if not more.

Powertrain options

One of the big questions concerns the powertrain lineup. Reflecting the diverse demands of European motorists, there will be seven available packages on the Continent.

The most notable are the twin PHEVs coming in 2024. One delivers a peak 201 horsepower, the other 268 hp. Both rely on 19.7 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion batteries that can deliver a max 100 kilometers, or 62 miles, of pure electric range based on the global WLTP standard. If offered in the U.S., however, it’s likely that the EPA rating would come in somewhere around 20% lower.

Unlike many current PHEVs, the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan plug-ins will allow a driver to connect to a high-speed DC fast charger of up to 50 kilowatts of current. The AC charger used for home has been upgraded to 11 kW, meanwhile. Charging times were not yet released.

The new Tiguan also received an optional mild-hybrid option using a much smaller, 48-volt lithium-ion pack to run a starter-generator system paired with a turbocharged 1.5-liter gas engine. To further improve fuel economy, the system can deactivate two of the engines 4 cylinders when power demands are low.

Last gas model?

A conventional, 2.0-liter turbo-4 package will be offered with a choice of either 201 hp or 262 hp. According to prior comments from Volkswagen officials, this may be the automaker’s last SUV offered with a “non-electrified” internal combustion engine.

And two diesel options are on the checklist, both using a 2.0-liter turbo package. The base version makes 148 hp, the upgrade jumping to 190 hp.

While it’s unclear how many of the hybrid and gas packages will reach the States, it’s certain that VW won’t ship the diesels across the Atlantic.

As in Europe, however, Americans can expect both front- and all-wheel-drive versions of the SUV.

Upgraded tech

The new Tiguan should deliver improved ride and handling, based on preliminary specs, with a shift to the updated MQB Evo platform. It adds optional adaptive chassis control and two-valve shocks, as well as electronically controlled locking differentials in European trim.

Other tech features will include optional active cruise control, hill start assist and a variety of other safety and advanced driver assistance systems such as forward-collision warning with automated emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-change assist and park distance control.

Europeans will have optional “smart” IQ Light HD Matrix headlamps. These normally remain in brights-on mode, but the pixelated lighting system can dim specific LED elements to avoid blinding other drivers. It’s unclear if that system will make it to the U.S.

EV-influenced design

From a visual standpoint, the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan doesn’t stray far from the outgoing SUV, most notably picking up with some of the cues — such as a sealed upper grille and a lighted crossbar — first seen on the automaker’s all-electric ID.4 crossover.

Inside, the instrument panel of the European model features a 12.9-inch infotainment screen on low trims, and a 15-inch display on top-line models. A smaller digital display replaces the gauge cluster and a head-up display is available.

The shorter European model will go on sale in early 2024. The long-wheelbase Tiguan will reach showrooms later next year and could be badged as a 2025 model.