Next-gen Volkswagen Tiguan detailed: New 2025 mid-size SUV to lure buyers with turbocharged thrills and high tech as it aims to offer better entry-level value than Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage

Volkswagen has detailed what the new Tiguan mid-size SUV’s range will look like when it lands in Australia.

It's too far out for official pricing and specs, with the new Tiguan not arriving locally until the second quarter of 2025, the brand’s Australian Communications Manager Daniel DeGasperi shared some details of what we can expect when it does.

There will be a somewhat familiar core line-up of variants tied to engines kicking off with a base front-wheel drive 110TSI model, a mid-spec all-wheel drive 150TSI (replacing the existing 132TSI), and a top-spec all-wheel drive 195TSI (replacing the 162TSI).

The entry-level 110TSI will be the carryover 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, instead of getting the new 1.5-litre ‘eTSI’ mild hybrid version of this engine sold in Europe. The 150TSI and 195TSI 2.0-litre turbocharged engines are new to the range.

Its looks haven't changed much, but it is a significantly new vehicle underneath, merging onto the upgraded VW Group MQB Evo platform that comes with entirely new suspension and upgraded chassis rigidity, as well as a more sophisticated technology platform, consisting of large screens and fresh software.

The brand has hinted the new entry-level version may cost closer to the $50K mark (currently, a base 110TSI Life starts at $43,990 before on-roads). The big focus for the brand this time around though is to expand the appeal of this base model to customers who wouldn’t traditionally consider a Tiguan.

DeGasperi said: “With Tiguan we know exactly who that buyer is - we’ll expand the Tiguan range particularly at the lower end, with the 110TSI becoming a lot better equipped and directly taking on mainstream SUVs like the X-Trail or the Outlander or the RAV4 with a really compelling offer at that entry level with high equipment and technology.”

“The issue we face is the 110TSI combines an entry engine with traditionally a level of equipment like cloth manual seats and so on that the VW buyer expects a bit more. We have various option packs for the 110TSI, but what we want to do with [the new car] is look directly at private mainstream buyers who are looking at naturally aspirated medium rival SUVs with lots of equipment at that low-$50,000 base price.”

“We know the VW customer buys a Tiguan for its sporty handling and performance - it’s about leaning on that technology lift to appeal to a mainstream buyer a little bit different to our current typical Tiguan buyer - one not so focused on performance.”

Overseas, the Tiguan is also available with a new-generation plug-in hybrid drivetrain, consisting of a 19.7kWh battery and a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder turbo engine paired to an electric motor. It is good for up to 120km of driving range in electric mode, with a combined range of 900km. It is also capable of charging faster, 11kW on AC, and even 50kW on DC for fast charging at public locations.

DeGasperi noted the local division was leaving the door open to a plug-in hybrid, it was yet to decide whether it would need to add it given the fuel efficiency of the turbocharged engines, and the entry of the fully electric ID.4 as a zero emissions alternative.

“The ID.4 will be our major focus - VW is in a unique position with Tiguan in that over 50 per cent of our sales are 162TSI and R - we are the largest market for R by sales [in Australia], the reason that’s important is when we announce our pricing for ID.4, those buyers will be able to cross compare with an ID.4 Pro or GTX. A lot of our competitors are asking their customers to step up significantly in price [to make the switch to electric], where our asking is more of a sideways step.”

“ID.4 will be the same strategy as Tiguan - very high specification at a fair price rather than aiming to just be the cheapest option.”

“I think specifically in the Tiguan and ID.4 segment we’re happy with the drivetrain choices for Tiguan - 110TSI, 150TSI, and 195TSI for Tiguan, and then ID.4 as a BEV - that’s a comprehensive strategy - for our other brands we’ll introduce some alternatives such as PHEV and we’ll monitor that take-up very closely.”

The ID.4 electric mid-sizer is finally set to arrive in Australia after significant delays before the end of 2024. Plug-in hybrid options from other VW Group brands include updated versions of the Cupra Leon hatch and Formentor crossover. At the higher end, the group also offers the Audi Q5 TFSI e and Q8 TFSI e.

Volkswagen’s family of vehicles (including Skoda, Cupra, and Audi) aren’t initially set to be impacted by Australia’s recently-introduced New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), as its vehicles are already compliant with the more advanced EU6d emissions regime overseas. This will change in three or four years when the brand will need to increase its share of plug-in hybrid or electric vehicles.

Stay tuned closer to the Tiguan’s local launch in the second quarter of 2025 for more detailed local pricing and specifications.