2027 Volkswagen TiguanMotorTrendUpscale cabin feelRoomy compact SUVAvailable stronger turboNo hybrid optionInconsistent powertrain responseThe Volkswagen Tiguan has spent years trying to split the difference between mainstream compact SUV practicality and near-premium European polish. For 2027, that mission finally feels clearer. The latest Tiguan is roomier, richer inside, and more competitive to drive, with an available Turbo model for shoppers who want extra punch.AdvertisementAdvertisementCompact SUV competitors include the Subaru Forester, Mazda CX-50, and Honda CR-V.What's NewThe 2027 Volkswagen Tiguan sees only light updates, which makes sense after its 2025 redesign and last year's addition of a revised hands-free driving system and new SEL R-Line top trim. For 2027, Volkswagen sharpens camera image quality for the standard rearview camera and the SEL R-Line Turbo's Area View 360-degree camera system.Elsewhere, Auto Hold is now included on every Tiguan, and the SE R-Line Black gains a heated steering wheel as standard equipment.What We ThinkThe Tiguan is finally back in the compact SUV conversation. After its recent redesign, VW's small crossover feels more polished, more premium, and more thoughtfully tailored to American buyers, with a roomy two-row cabin, richer materials, and enough tech to make some rivals seem plain.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe biggest improvement is inside. The new Tiguan's cabin looks and feels more upscale than before, with big screens, better materials, clever packaging, and available features you don't always expect in a mainstream compact SUV. VW also ditched the old third row, which helps the Tiguan focus on being a better two-row SUV rather than an awkward almost-three-row.On the road, the standard 2.0-liter turbo-four is adequate rather than exciting. It has enough power for daily use, and the ride strikes a nice balance between comfort and control, but throttle response and transmission behavior could still be smoother.The SEL R-Line Turbo adds the punch the regular Tiguan lacks. Its stronger engine makes the SUV feel noticeably more athletic, and it gives the top trim a richer, more premium character. The trade-off is price and fuel economy, especially when hybrid rivals offer similar real-world performance with much better mpg.That tension defines the Tiguan. It's not the most efficient compact SUV, nor the obvious spreadsheet pick. But as a stylish, comfortable, feature-rich crossover with an upscale cabin and newly competitive driving manners, the Tiguan finally has a stronger reason to be on shoppers' lists.Top-Ranked Competitors:Mazda CX-50Honda CR-VToyota RAV4Subaru ForesterMotorTrend TestedMost 2027 Tiguan trims should continue with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 201 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. With this engine and front-wheel drive, the Tiguan reaches 60 mph in 7.7 seconds.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe SEL R-Line Turbo uses a higher-output version of VW's EA888 turbo-four, increasing output to 268 hp and 258 lb-ft. All-wheel drive is standard on the SEL R-Line Turbo and optional on other trims.In MotorTrend testing, the SEL R-Line Turbo accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 7.0 seconds. That is a useful improvement, though not the low-six-second result we initially expected.For comparison, the Mazda CX-50 AWD is available with a larger turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four that makes up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93-octane fuel. Despite the Mazda's torque advantage, our test team also recorded a 7.0-second 0–60-mph time, matching the less powerful Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo.MPGs and RangeThe Tiguan's fuel economy is competitive among gas-only compact SUVs, though it trails the hybrid versions of key rivals. For 2026, the Tiguan S is the most efficient configuration at 26/34 mpg city/highway with about 420 miles of range.AdvertisementAdvertisementOther front-drive Tiguan models return 25/32 mpg and roughly 406 miles, while AWD versions are rated at 22/30 mpg with about 390 miles of range. This year's lineup should perform similarly.The more powerful SEL R-Line Turbo dips slightly to 22/29 mpg, though its estimated range is still about 390 miles. That puts it close to the 2026 Mazda CX-50 Turbo AWD, which is rated at 23/29 mpg and about 398 miles of range, giving the Mazda a slight city-mpg and range advantage while matching the VW on the highway.Safety Ratings and FeaturesFront- and all-wheel-drive variants received NHTSA five-star overall safety ratings last year and will likely repeat for 2027. The Tiguan misses out on IIHS' top awards, however, because of a poor grade in the updated moderate overlap front impact test.Volkswagen includes several driver assist features with the 2027 Tiguan, including:AdvertisementAdvertisementAutomatic emergency brakingAdaptive cruise controlLane keepingBlind-spot monitoringRear cross-traffic monitoringAutomatic high-beamsParking sensorsCargo Space and Interior RoomIt's no Honda CR-V, which offers a huge 76.5 cubic feet of maximum cargo space, but the Tiguan still ranks among the roomier compact SUVs. Its passenger and cargo space compare favorably with rivals such as the Mazda CX-50 and gas-powered Subaru Forester.TechnologyInfotainmentEvery model includes a 10.3-inch driver display and a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A larger 15.0-inch center display is available for shoppers who want the cabin's tech presentation to feel even more upscale. Wireless phone charging and four USB ports are standard.Sound SystemThe standard audio system uses seven speakers. Higher trims can be equipped with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium setup.Available UpgradesThe Tiguan's options list reaches unusually high for a mainstream compact SUV. Available features include massaging front seats, a head-up display, enhanced ambient lighting, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a hands-free power liftgate. Exterior tech and appearance upgrades include a front LED light bar and illuminated VW logo.ValueStandard FeaturesEven with small price increases expected for 2027, the base Tiguan should remain one of the stronger value plays in Volkswagen's lineup. Every model gets the essentials that make the redesigned Tiguan appealing: a premium-feeling interior, large cabin screens, lots of driver assist tech, and good fuel economy for a gas-powered compact SUV.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe entry-level Tiguan also benefits from VW's improved ride and handling balance. It feels more refined than a typical base-model crossover without requiring shoppers to climb deep into the trim ladder.Recommended TrimThe SE is the 2027 Tiguan trim we'd recommend for most shoppers. It builds on the base S with the comfort, convenience, and tech features expected in a modern compact SUV, without stepping up to the flashier SE R-Line Black or the more powerful SEL R-Line Turbo.The S remains the efficient, budget-minded pick, while the SEL R-Line Turbo is the one to get if acceleration matters most. For everyday value, though, the SE is the sweet spot.
