Used Volkswagen Tiguan for sale: everything you need to know

The Volkswagen Tiguan has established itself as a desirable choice in the family SUV class. Over 15 years, it has cemented its place as an upmarket rival to the top-selling Nissan Qashqai.

Despite its upmarket badge and image, the Volkswagen Tiguan still faces intense competition. Its many rivals include the popular Ford Kuga, the similar Skoda Karoq and the impressive Hyundai Tucson. 

The strength of the Volkswagen brand also makes the VW Tiguan a worthy competitor for the premium Audi Q3, the BMW X1 and even the new Mercedes-Benz GLB. 

Packed with technology and a wide range of engine options, the Volkswagen Tiguan has a broad appeal. If you’re thinking of buying or leasing one, here is what you need to know. Do check out the selection of Volkswagen Tiguans in stock at heycar, too. If you're after a seven seat version, you'll want the bigger Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace.

Should you buy a Volkswagen Tiguan? 

More than 445,000 Volkswagen Tiguans were sold around the world during 2021, demonstrating how universally popular this SUV is. It offers dependability and comfort, mixed with a pleasing amount of affordable luxury. 

Although it has many rivals, the Volkswagen Tiguan stands out from the crowd with its smartt interior. It looks and feels high-quality inside, with soft-touch plastics, hard-wearing fabrics and tactile switchgear. It means that whether you buy or lease a VW Tiguan, you will feel that you are getting good value for money. 

Compared to its mechanically-similar sister models, the SEAT Ateca and Skoda Karoq, the Volkswagen Tiguan comes out top for practicality. A standard-fit sliding rear bench seat can move to increase boot space, offering much more luggage capacity than an equivalent Volkswagen Golf hatchback. The rest of the interior is packed with clever cubbies and storage spaces, too.

A large range of engine options means there is a Volkswagen Tiguan to suit you. Whether that is a diesel for drivers covering longer distances, or the impressive petrol/electric eHybrid model, there is no shortage of choice. Many engines can be combined with Volkswagen’s smooth DSG automatic gearbox, while 4Motion all-wheel drive is available for those who need extra traction.

Whichever Volkswagen Tiguan you pick, the driving experience should be comfortable and relaxing. Well, other than the high-performance VW Tiguan R, but even that is capable of dealing with broken-up British roads.

The Volkswagen Tiguan is a popular SUV that appeals to a wide array of buyers. Both new and used examples attract plenty of attention, thanks to the VW Tiguan’s ease of use and comfortable driving experience.

The Volkswagen Tiguan has few weak spots, other than appearing slightly expensive alongside rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai and Ford Kuga. However, the VW Tiguan counters this with a spacious interior – and it feels very well-made and refined. Quality is good enough to make it be a genuine alternative to premium-badged mid-size SUVs such as the BMW X1 and Audi Q3, in fact. For a dependable, practical and refined family SUV, the Volkswagen Tiguan is hard to beat.

A Volkswagen Tiguan not for you? We've got 1000s of used cars for sale to suit all budgets and needs.

What’s the best used Volkswagen Tiguan model to buy?

We know the world’s gone a bit anti-diesel lately, but a Tiguan 2.0 TDI really is an excellent all-rounder. Most buyers won’t need any more power than the standard 150PS model, although we’d recommend the DSG automatic gearbox (even if it is slightly pricier). Go on, treat yourself. Of course, if you rarely drive your Tiguan further than the school run, you’d be better with a petrol model. The 2.0-litres are thirsty and a bit pointless, so go for a 1.4 or 1.5 TSI.

All trim levels are well-equipped and the Tiguan Match will have most things that most buyers desire, without an expensive price tag. Fork out more for one of the top-spec R-Line Tech models and the Tiguan becomes a little more difficult to justify, as it suddenly starts squaring up against some very good premium alternatives.

Used Volkswagen Tiguan fuel economy and performance

• Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4 TSI 125 petrol: Introduced in 2017 as the entry-level petrol engione, this small turbocharged engine makes 125PS and came with a six-speed manual gearbox. It promised up to 46mpg and can go from 0-62mph in 10.2 seconds.
• Volkswagen 1.4 TSI TSI 150 petrol: Also replaced later by the 1.5 TSI, this more powerful version of the 1.4 had 150PS and could give up to 40mpg.
• Volkswagen Tiguan 1.5 TSI 130 petrol: This four-cylinder petrol engine repladed the 1.4 TSI as the starting point of the VW Tiguan range. It is offered only with the combination of a six-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive. Smooth and efficient, it boasts the best fuel economy of the petrol-engined Volkswagen Tiguan options, with an average of 44.1mpg. 
• Volkswagen Tiguan 1.5 TSI 150 petrol: The 1.5 TSI 150 petrol is a more powerful version of the standard VW Tiguan engine, available with either a six-speed manual gearbox or seven-speed DSG automatic. Despite the extra power, it still remains competitive on fuel economy as, like the 130 version, it can run on two-cylinders in certain situations.
• Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TSI 190 petrol: The larger 2.0 TSI 190 petrol engine brings more power to the Volkswagen Tiguan. It is only sold with a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission, which is combined with 4Motion all-wheel drive. 
• Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TSI 245 petrol: This version of the 2.0-litre engine delivers extra performance and is capable of accelerating from 0-62mph in six seconds. A seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive are standard.
• Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TSI 320 petrol: The 2.0 TSI 320 engine is the sole preserve of the high-performance Volkswagen Tiguan R. This turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine has been used in other Volkswagen performance models, such as the Golf R. With a standard seven-speed DSG transmission and 4Motion all-wheel drive, it can hit 62mph in less than five seconds. It is not as fuel efficient as the other petrol engines, unsurprisingly, but delivers an impressive sound via its sports exhaust. 
• Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4 TSI eHybrid 245 plug-in hybrid: The Volkswagen Tiguan is available with one plug-in hybrid engine option, introduced in 2021. This combines a four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor giving 245PS and CO2 of just 38g/km. It can offer up to 30 miles of driving on battery power alone. 
• Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI 150 diesel: Volkswagen knows that SUV buyers are still fans of diesel engines.  Depending on trim level, this 150PS engine is combined with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed DSG automatic. Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive is also offered on certain models. Models from 2020 onwards are slightlyt cleaner and more efficient than earlier models.
• Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI 200 diesel: As the most powerful diesel engine, the 2.0 TDI 200 is offered solely with a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox, plus 4Motion all-wheel drive. It can offer an average of 43.5mpg, but is also capable of accelerating the VW Tiguan from 0-62mph in less than eight seconds.

What used Volkswagen Tiguan trim levels are available?

• Volkswagen Tiguan S: The entry-level version of the Volkswagen Tiguan when it was first launched, the S was nevertheless well-eqiupped and came with air conditioning and 17-inch alloy wheels, as well as a touchscreen infotainment system.
• Volkswagen Tiguan SE: The SE model added extra features to the S, inclulding three-zone climate control aircon, parking sensors both front and rear and cruise control.
• Volkswagen Tiguan SE Nav: As the name suggests, the SE Nav Tiguan is based on the SE, but adds satellite navigation as standard.
• Volkswagen Tiguan SE L: The SE L model introduced bright LED healights and larger 19-inch alloy heels, as well as a digital instrumant display in place of traditional analogue dials.
• Volkswagen Tiguan Match: Introduced in 2019, the Match replaced both SE and SE Nav trims, adding a rear view camera.
• Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line Tech: This trim replaced the R-Line for a period between 2019 and 2020, and added extra options including keyless entry and an electric boot lid.

The Tiguan's model line up was overhauled in 2020, and models made after this come in the following trims:

• Volkswagen Tiguan Life: The entry-level version of the Volkswagen Tiguan, the Life model still comes well-equipped. Three-zone climate control is standard, along with front and rear parking sensors, wireless smartphone charging and satellite navigation. A set of 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control and LED headlights are also included. 
• Volkswagen Tiguan Elegance: Bringing an extra degree of luxury to the VW Tiguan, Elegance trim adds 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, keyless entry and a rear-view camera system. Volkswagen’s impressive Digital Cockpit Pro dashboard is also standard.
• Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line: Sold since the Tiguan was first introduced and designed to offer sportier looks with reasonable running costs, the Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line keeps the same equipment as the Elegance model. However it also gains 20-inch alloy wheels, a full R-Line bodykit, sports-style seats and a leather-wrapped sports steering wheel. 
• Volkswagen Tiguan R: As the range-topping performance model, Volkswagen gives the VW Tiguan R a bespoke bodykit and big 21-inch alloy wheels. It also comes with exclusive sports seats, a special all-wheel-drive system, performance brakes and Dynamic Chassis Control. 
• Volkswagen Tiguan Black Edition: Based on the R-Line model, the Black Edition adds, as the name suggests, black styling elements for a more stealthy look. These include 20-inch black alloy wheels, tinted windows and decorative trim. It also features a panoramic sunroof and heated steering wheel.

Used Volkswagen Tiguan dimensions and boot size

The Volkswagen Tiguan’s exterior dimensions are: 

• Length: 4509mm
• Width: 1839mm
• Height: 1675mm
• Ground clearance: 191mm

The Volkswagen Tiguan’s boot size is:

• 615 litres
• 1655 litres with rear seats folded

Used Volkswagen Tiguan road tax

You’ll pay a flat rate of £180 a year to tax any Tiguan registered since 1 April 2017, with the exception of the hybrid model which is £10 cheaper. Watch out for Tiguans with a list price of more than £40,000 (i.e. the retail price when new). These are subject to an additional premium tax of an extra £390 a year. You’ll have to pay this rate for five years (from the second time the vehicle is taxed), even if you’ve paid significantly less than list price for the car.

How much is to insure a Volkswagen Tiguan? 

For a family SUV with a desirable badge, insuring a Volkswagen Tiguan isn’t as expensive as you might think. The entry-level VW Tiguan Life starts from insurance group 15 for the 1.5 TSI 130 petrol version, with the more powerful 150PS model taking this to group 17. Moving up to Elegance and R-Line trim levels increases the insurance group only slightly. Even the high-performance Volkswagen Tiguan R manages a respectable group 36 (out of 50) car insurance rating.

Read our full Volkswagen Tiguan review