Volkswagen Tiguan Model Years and History

The Tiguan enters the 2026 Model year with minimal changes year over year. The 2026 Tiguan adds a new more powerful top-level trim, the SEL R-Line Turbo. Additionally, the Tiguan includes an updated version of the TravelAssist drivers aid system.

The Tiguan enters the 2025 Model year fully redesigned with many aesthetic changes throughout the exterior and interior of the vehicle, as well as lots of tech upgrades ranging from entry lighting in front row, all the way to Park Assist Plus on certain trims and new touchscreen displays. It's not only additions that take place in 2025, but also some deletions, as the 2.0T Wolfsburg Edition has been deleted for 2025, and the Tiguan is no longer offering a third-row seat.

The Volkswagen Tiguan carries over with minimal changes for 2024.

The Volkswagen Tiguan carries over with minimal changes.

The Volkswagen Tiguan gets a refreshed exterior, an updated steering wheel, and the SEL R-Line Trim gets a 10.25-inch instrument cluster gauge. The SEL Premium R-Line was also dropped for 2022.

The Volkswagen Tiguan carries over into 2021 with minimal changes.

The Tiguan returns for 2019 essentially unchanged. SE trims now come with an alarm system as standard, while SEL trims now get VW's Digital Cockpit and Park Distance Control. The vehicle is otherwise unchanged for this year.

The 2018 VW Tiguan will undergo a complete re-design from the ground up as it enters its second generation. With that update, the Tiguan is one of the largest vehicles in the segment. The Tiguan boasts one of the roomiest interiors compared to its rivals including seating for 7. The interior is centered on technology with USB ports a 12.3-inch customizable instrument cluster and available dual 8-inch digital display outfitted with standard Apple Car-Play and Android Auto compatibility. Added are a long list of advanced safety features and the best warranty in the segment at 6 years/72,000 miles.

VW has shuffled the lineup of the Tiguan a little bit for 2017. The R-Line is no longer available, it's been replaced with the Wolfsburg edition. The SE has also been replaced, with a new Sport trim. In addition, the base S model now gets a little bit more standard equipment including an update stereo with better connectivity options.

For 2016, the biggest change in the VW Tiguan lineup is a $1,400 price drop. New standard features include the MIB II infotainment system with USB, V-Tex leatherette upholstery, heated seats and keyless entry with push-button start. Finally, Tiguan trim lines have been reordered as S, R-Line, SE and SEL. The shuffle makes the sporty R-Line more accessible to buyers.

The VW Tiguan remains mostly unchanged for 2015. Styling changes are minimal, with the only update being a new rear bumper for R-Line models. However inside, all models benefit from additional infotainment features including VW's Car-Net system and a nicer touchscreen interface. A backup camera is also standard this year.

A sporty new R-Line model has been added to the Tiguan lineup for 2014. A Fender Premium Audio System is new to the lineup this year, and Tiguan SE trims and above get the new VW Car-Net connected services, which include remote vehicle access, speed alert, a vehicle health report, points-of-interest (POI) functionality for the navigation system and a smartphone app for the iPhone.

The Tiguan remains relatively unchanged for 2013. An electronic parking brake is standard across the entire model range, as is a hill-hold feature that keeps the vehicle from rolling backwards on uphill starts. New trim pieces include a leather wrapped multifunction steering wheel and a leather wrapped shift knob. SE trims get a partially power adjustable passenger seat while SEL trims get one that is fully power adjustable. SEL trims also receive a rear back up camera.

The 2012 Tiguan is mostly the same as the 2011, but a new 2WD LE trim was added. It adds an upgraded stereo and upgrades the seats to the power-adjustable, leatherette-trimmed, heated variety. The SE model gets bigger 18-inch alloy wheels and the SEL gets 19-inch alloy wheels as well as LED daytime running lights for 2012.

Bluetooth, including hands-free calling and audio streaming, is now standard across the entire lineup, and a navigation system is now available on the SE and standard on the SEL. Sound systems have been revamped across the lineup, as have wheel designs, and a new-design steering wheel matches the one that's been phased in on the Golf. A new Smart Key keyless entry system and push-button start is now standard on top-of-the-range SEL models. A new Night Blue exterior hue replaces Sapphire Blue, and the previous Wolfsburg Edition of the Tiguan is no longer offered.

For 2010, the Volkswagen Tiguan sees no major changes, though it receives a small facelift, a revised instrument panel with white backlighting and new Xenon headlamp units.

The Tiguan is an all-new compact sport-utility vehicle that slots below the larger Touareg as the second SUV in Volkswagen's lineup. Unlike the Touareg, which emphasizes towing and off-road ability, the Tiguan is oriented mainly for passenger and cargo duty on-road. The four-cylinder Tiguan is about the same length and width as Volkswagen's compact Jetta sedan and competes in a class with the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester.