A Week With: 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line

So, according to the people at Volkswagen whose job it is to know these things, a Tiguan is what you get when you cross a tiger with an iguana.

Call me a cynic if you will, but it occurs to me that if a tiger ever crossed paths with an iguana, the result would be the tiger’s hot lunch. On the other hand, the two species do share certain traits. Each is known for razor sharp teeth, along with formidable speed and agility.

And, like both the tiger and the iguana, the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan does exhibit considerable agility, along with remarkable speed. Also like tigers and iguanas, the VW has a distinctive appearance.

Stylishly Understated

However, unlike those denizens of the animal kingdom, understatement is what makes the looks of VW’s mid-sized SUV stand out. Handsome, without being flashy, the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan will look good long after its contemporaries appear dated. Moreover, those unassuming lines, minimal augmentation and crispness of form indicate Volkswagen’s compact-crossover is more costly than its sticker proclaims.

Put simply, this isn’t a “cute ute” by any stretch of the imagination. The look of the Tiguan evokes substance. Granted, some of this is owing to the R-Line package’s grille treatment, bumpers, side sills, silver roof rails and 20-inch alloy wheels.

Still though, that the VW’s design team accomplished this without resorting to even a hint of ostentation is remarkable.

The Interior Too

Simple and functional — though not decidedly stylish — describes the Tiguan’s passenger compartment. The SEL R-Line trimmed example, with which I spent the week, had leather seating surfaces and power adjustments for the driver and front passenger seats.

There was also a leather-wrapped sport steering wheel and adjustable multi-colored ambient lighting. Combined, these touches embellished the purposeful design with an air of elegance.

The comfort and convenience functions employed touch sensitive interfaces, with the exception of a pair of knobs flanking the 8-inch touchscreen. These permitted adjustment of the audio level and tuning the radio. A 10.3-inch reconfigurable monitor behind the steering wheel provided readouts for operational-related data.

 A Wi-Fi hotspot is standard, as are wireless Carplay and Android compatibility. Wireless smartphone charging is also standard across the board for the VW crossover.  “My” Tiguan also had the 480-watt, nine-speaker Fender audio system, which delivered both power and clarity, regardless of the genre of music — or the volume at which it reproduced it.

Head, leg, shoulder, and hip room were more than adequate at all primary-seating positions. A third row is offered on front-drive models, though from what I’ve seen, it isn’t really desirable.

My 4Motion all-wheel drive Tiguan didn’t have one, but the numbers reveal cargo capacity goes from 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row to 12 when it’s deployed. Plus, the third row offers next to no legroom. Grownups won’t be happy seated there.

Fast, Though Not Furious

As is typical of autobahn-bred vehicles, Tiguan is resolutely stable at speed. What’s more, just like far more costly German models, Volkswagen’s Tiguan does a nice job of disguising the speed at which it travels. You’ll have to keep an eye on the speedometer to ensure you’re staying within (or at least close to) the bounds of the law.

Here though, I must expound upon the distinction between fast and quick. The VW’s direct injected 2.0-liter DOHC turbocharged inline four is rated at 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque.

This is teamed with an 8-speed automatic transmission. As I mentioned previously, “my” Kings Red Metallic example of the VW was also fitted with the marque’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system.

This factor contributed to a curb weight of some 4,000 pounds, which meant the engine needed more time than I would have liked to get the Tiguan to 60 mph. I counted eight one thousands before the digital speed indicator registered 60 from zero. Thus, the Volkswagen cannot be considered quick. However, once up to speed, the Tiguan had no trouble maintaining velocity, even at elevated highway speeds.

Thus, it’s fast, but it’s not quick.

I saw an average of 27.1 mpg, according to the VW’s trip computer.

The Agility of a “Tiguana”

Getting back to my original premise, the Tiguan does indeed exhibit the agility for which tigers and iguanas are known. In fact, the Tiguan possesses a degree of athleticism one might not expect given its conservative styling.

Turn-in is both accurate and predictable. Grip is tenacious, and as I mentioned before, the platform demonstrates remarkable stability. The brake pedal is a bit on the soft side for my tastes, but the stopping power is there when you need it.

All in all, the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line is handsome, stylish, understated, nicely equipped and quite pleasant to drive — once you get it up to speed. Tiguan SEL R-Line pricing starts at $38,505. Price as tested was $40,250.