The 2020 VW Tiguan has some endearing qualities, but unfortunately for the Tiguan, the pendulum will swing back the other way. During our week-long drive with the 2020 VW Tiguan, some of what we liked also ended up getting on our nerves.
A combination of two words, tiger and leguan (meaning “iguana” in German), the Tiguan is a beast of a different nature. Here is how our test drive went.
VW Tiguan: What’s New For 2020?
Every Tiguan comes with VW’s Car-Net telematics system and on-board Wi-Fi. Wireless charging is available, starting on the SE trim. SEL models receive a heated steering wheel, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and rain-sensing wipers.
The new SE R-Line Black features 20-inch black aluminum-alloy wheels, black-accented R-Line bumpers and badging, fog lights, and a panoramic sunroof, among other features.
Optional 3rd Row & All-Wheel Drive
The 2020 Tiguan with front-wheel drive receives a third-row standard. With 4Motion all-wheel drive, the Tiguan is standard with two rows, but a third row is optional.
Our 2020 VW Tiguan Press Vehicle
The 20-inch wheels caught our eye right away, along with the R-Line-specific bumpers, badges, and other exterior trim. Our Tiguan press vehicle was quite a looker!
VW divides up the window sticker like this (photo below). Exterior includes Automatic LED headlights, daytime running lights, and taillights; halogen front fog lights with low-speed cornering lights; rain-sensing wipers with heated washer nozzles; a heated front wiper area on the lower portion of the windshield; and a panoramic sunroof.
Interior includes dual-zone automatic climate control; second-row air vents; heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel; heated leather seats; 10-way power adjustments, including lumbar support, for the driver; illuminated and carpeted cargo area with tie-down hooks, 12V power port, and privacy cover; and ambient lighting among other features.
Some Nice Extras!
The Technology & Convenience package has a number of useful, fun, and otherwise nifty things. Among our favorites are the Overhead View Camera; remote start; hands-free liftgate; wireless charging; Bluetooth connectivity; and a Fender premium audio system.
Safety features are a strong point for the 2020 Tiguan, and our press vehicle was no exception. From the factory, the 2020 Tiguan provides six standard airbags; anti-lock brakes; electronic stability control; Lower Anchors & Tethers for Children (LATCH), and VW’s Intelligent Crash Response System.
In the aforementioned Technology & Convenience package are adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitor, and lane-keeping assist, among others.
How Much Does The 2020 VW Tiguan Cost?
By comparison, the 2020 VW Tiguan starts at $24,945.
Interior Highlights: Initial Impressions
Interior Highlights: No Rhyme or Reason
Interior Highlights: Redeeming Qualities
One thing we did enjoy was the information display just ahead of the steering wheel. We configured it so we could see the compass (directly in the middle), digital speedometer, remaining fuel, and current mpg. At times, we would switch the compass out for the navigation map. Through the eight-inch touchscreen, drivers have the option to configure this center instrument display to their liking.
For a family on the go, the new Tiguan is versatile and offers plenty of storage space for book bags, sports gear, and anything else you can think of for weekend outings. In the two-row Tiguan, there is 37.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, expanding to 73.5 cubic feet when folded. By comparison, our three-row Tiguan had 33 cubic feet of space behind the second row, expanding to 65.7 cubic feet when folded.
With everything in place, there is still 12 cubic feet behind the third row.
2020 VW Tiguan: Engine & Powertrain
Under the hood of every Tiguan is a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with direct injection. The engine, mated to an eight-speed automatic with Tiptronic, creates 184 horsepower (4,400 rpm) and 221 lb-ft. of torque (1,600 to 4,360 rpm).
VW employs what is known as the Budack cycle for the 2.0-liter engine. The automaker describes it as an innovative modification to the conventional four-stroke cycle for a better combination of power, efficiency, and responsiveness. Based on our week-long test drive, we would beg to differ on two of these points. While we agree with the efficiency part, the engine is neither powerful or responsive.
Gas Mileage of The 2020 VW Tiguan
The blue italics in the above chart denote the engine and drivetrain of our 2020 Tiguan press vehicle.
We logged just shy of 186 miles during the week we had our 2020 VW Tiguan. Most of the driving was done in the smaller communities surrounding the Detroit area, so our speeds were rarely above 45 mph. However, we did take jaunts down M-10, I-94, and I-96 to get to those towns.
The combined rating for our press vehicle is 23 mpg. However, we averaged 26.2 for the week, ahead of the EPA rating. We believe the Tiguan’s start-stop function made a significant difference.
How Does The 2020 VW Tiguan Drive?
This is a tough one for me. No automotive professional should deliberately hammer a press a vehicle given to them, on loan, by an automaker. With the Tiguan, I wonder if driving a different trim level without the 20-inch wheels would make a difference? I would be curious to see.
The first time I drove our Tiguan press vehicle, it was not a pleasant experience. I imagined being a prospective customer taking it on a test drive for the first time. It didn’t sell me, and made me question what long-term ownership would look like. On my first drive, it was hard to get comfortable; it was noisy and underpowered; shaky in the wind when a gust would come up; and generally hard to maneuver at higher speeds.
It was not the best first impression.
Structurally speaking, the 2020 VW Tiguan rides on a one-piece steel subframe and a strut-type front suspension with lower control arms and long-travel coil springs. The 2020 Tiguan uses an electro-mechanical power steering system as well. These types of steering systems are common today. They are designed to “tighten” at higher speeds, then “loosen” (for lack of better words) at lower speeds. When done correctly, a vehicle should feel more stable on the highway, yet also easier to maneuver when putzing around town.
There is nothing on the spec sheet that jumps out as abnormal when it comes to the chassis and steering. So it makes me wonder if the 20-inch wheels are the culprit on ride quality?
Lethargic & Lacks Refinement
However, the 20-inch wheels cannot be blamed for everything. When cruising around, especially between 15 and 35 mph, the powertrain makes things rough. We drove through Plymouth, Michigan, a town of around 9,000 about 25 miles from the Detroit metro. Speed limits in Plymouth, as with most small towns, are lower than big cites. In these low-speed environments, the Tiguan’s steering is responsive, but that is quickly overshadowed.
We would turn a corner and then let off the gas – usually because another light, pedestrian, or car was right there – and our Tiguan press vehicle would lurch. It feels like a premature engine brake, or like an invisible hand is pushing back against the hood. Whatever it is, our passengers felt it and it displeased them. This lurching never corrected itself during our week-long drive either. If we lived in Small Town America, where much of the driving is local and slower, we would not buy the 2020 VW Tiguan.
Acceleration from a stop is adequate, but most times, throttle response is completely lethargic. While a driver can get lucky and feel some spark, it’s rare. Turbo lag is evident and the 2.0-liter engine sounds exhausted under throttle, especially up a hill.
By contrast, the braking force of the 2020 Tiguan is excellent. The thing stops on a dime with its 13.4-inch vented discs up front and the 11.8-inch solid discs at the rear.
Should You Buy a 2020 VW Tiguan?
We believe there are far too many issues with driveability for the 2020 VW Tiguan to be a viable option. Admittedly, we are probably in the minority as the Tiguan is VW’s biggest seller in the United States and most reviews on the vehicle are positive. Still, before you sign the paperwork for a new Tiguan, we recommend taking the Chevy Equinox, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-5, or Nissan Rogue for a test drive first.
Although we would be hesitant to buy the VW Tiguan based on our experience, it may indeed be the right vehicle for you. It’s important to get a sense of what dealers in your area offer in terms of pricing and incentives. This free and easy search tool* will help you see which VW dealers close to you offer the best deals on a new Tiguan.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association and the Society of Automotive Historians. He serves on the board of directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, is a past president of Detroit Working Writers, and a loyal Detroit Lions fan.
2020 VW Tiguan Gallery
Additional Photos: Volkswagen of America, Inc.
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