Are VW Tiguans Reliable?
The Volkswagen Tiguan is a popular SUV that you can rely on. Find out what makes it reliable in our guide
)
It’ll likely come as no surprise that the Volkswagen Tiguan is one of the brand’s best-selling cars worldwide – it's an impressive SUV that’s ideal for families who enjoy a bit of adventure.
If you’re after something reliable, a car like the Volkswagen Tiguan is an ideal choice from a trusted manufacturer with an excellent reputation.
Also, the Tiguan is siblings with the Skoda Koraq and SEAT Ateca. This means much of the technology is shared across all models, so you know the manufacturers have faith in it and parts will be readily available if needed.
Learn more about used VW Tiguan reliability in our guide.
What makes a vehicle reliable?
A reliable car is one you can trust not to go wrong regularly and that won’t need loads of extra repairs.
If you have a vehicle that’s regularly having issues that aren’t related to age or usage, this might mean that you have an unreliable model.
Reliable cars are also safe cars, so checking the Euro NCAP safety rating of a vehicle is a good idea before you buy.
Cars that perform well in crash-testing and that have ample amounts of safety kit can be considered reliable.
You might also want to consider the fuel efficiency of your next car before you buy.
For reliable daily use, you might want a car that doesn’t burn through fuel and that can be considered economical.
Take a look at the miles per gallon (MPG) figure to get an idea of this.
Are Volkswagen Tiguans good cars?
The Volkswagen Tiguan is a practical SUV that’s available with a range of engines, including an economical plug-in hybrid.
It would make a great practical option for any motorist who values extra space.
The sleek styling of the Tiguan is definitely a selling point – despite its rugged capabilities, there’s a polished looked about the Tiguan thanks to the layers of chrome and that classic VW look. This extends inside the car, which has a plush and luxurious interior.
The Tiguan is also cheaper than rivals like the Volvo XC40 and the BMW X1, and you won't be sacrificing much in terms of the luxury feel, tech and comfortable drive.
 "Volkswagen Tiguan")
Safety
The Volkswagen Tiguan was last tested by Euro NCAP in 2016, so while its rating is now expired, it’s still worth noting it achieved the full five stars with standard equipment.
This includes an impressive 96% safety rating for adult occupants and 64% for children (it’s common for child ratings to be lower).
Standard safety kit in the Tiguan includes ISOFIX car seat points in the rear, autonomous emergency braking systems, and lane assistance.
There’s also the option to add speed assistance with one of the safety packs on offer.
Practicality
As far as practicality is concerned, the VW Tiguan is a great choice. The 520-litre boot can easily be increased to 615 litres by sliding the rear seats forward, which is a handy feature alongside the 40:20:40 folding seat setup.
In fact, the seats can be slid around or folded in various ways, which makes it ideal for those flatpack furniture runs.
There are also various storage options around the cabin of the car. Dependent on the trim you choose, there are options for underseat drawers and storage pockets to help keep you organised.
There’s also the choice of adding heated rear seats to Tiguan models, as well as a panoramic sunroof in the Elegance trim that makes the cabin feel even more spacious and roomy.
Features and technology
Volkswagen hasn’t scrimped on tech in the Tiguan lineup, with even the entry-level models getting a touchscreen infotainment setup.
You’re also able to use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via Bluetooth connection to your smartphone.
There’s also the option of a Dynaudio sound system plus the VW Active Info Display unit for behind the steering wheel.
The display replaces classic analogue dials for an all-round modern feel and comes as standard in the SEL and R-Line models.
When it comes to driving, the plug-in hybrid technology is a serious efficiency upgrade.
You’ll get up to 30 miles of purely electric mile range and can achieve between 157-177mpg based on official statistics.
It provides a smooth drive and a responsive automatic gearbox, feeling reliable for daily use.
 "Volkswagen Tiguan")
Interior and exterior
The styling of the VW Tiguan will mostly differ depending on the trim level you choose, especially if you go for one of the sportier options.
The entry-level Life model gets 18-inch ‘Frankfurt’ alloy wheels and rear tinted glass, with the sleek and classic look of an original Tiguan.
Moving up the range, the Elegance model gets larger 19-inch alloys and an interior ambient lighting pack. This is also where the Digital Cockpit is introduced.
If you fancy something with a sportier finish, the Tiguan R-Line range adds a panoramic sunroof, black roof lining, and sports comfort seats.
The Tiguan Black Edition is another sporty-looking model but takes the black touches to a whole new level with a complete styling pack.
You’ll get the R-Line bumpers with black accents, black decorative trims and black roof rails.
Repair and maintenance costs
All vehicles in the UK require a regular MOT by law that’s capped at just under £55 for the annual test, so you’ll need to factor this into to your yearly running costs.
Servicing isn’t a legal requirement in the UK, but it’s recommended to keep your Tiguan in the best possible condition and to spot issues before they progress.
The cost of a service will depend on the type of servicing you choose and the location of your garage in the UK.
The Tiguan is rated highly for reliability on consumer surveys and in reviews, so you shouldn't expect to be making regular repairs outside of normal wear and tear from usage.
As the Tiguan shares so much of its platform with the SEAT Ateca and Skoda Kodiaq, many of the parts can be used across the board. This means you won't struggle to get hold of parts needed for repairs and shouldn’t find them to be costly.