2018 Volkswagen Tiguan

Pros: Generous cargo room; well-finished interior; good ride quality with composed handling

Cons: Third-row seat is cramped; powertrain occasionally feels lackadaisical

CG Says: Volkswagen’s compact crossover SUV is redesigned for 2018, gaining more space, new styling, and a host of new technology features. The all-new second-generation Tiguan rides a larger platform that is 10.6 inches longer than its predecessor. The extra length provides more cargo room and creates space for an available third-row seat, for 7-passenger capacity. (The Mitsubishi Outlander is the only other compact SUVs that offers a third-row seat.) The shorter, two-row, first-generation Tiguan continues for at least a couple more years as the Tiguan Limited (see separate report). The new Tiguan’s sole powertrain is a 184-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard and Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive is optional; interestingly, the third-row seat is standard on front-drive Tiguans and is available on AWD models as a $500 option. Available safety features include blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning and mitigation, forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking, and automatic post-collision braking. Other available features include adaptive LED headlights, a hands-free power liftgate, and adaptive cruise control. The first-generation Tiguan is one of the oldest designs in the compact-SUV segment, so it was high time that VW introduced a new version. The redesigned Tiguan hits the mark with its spacious cabin, well-designed technology features, and classy styling inside and out. The available third-row seating is a handy addition, but it cuts into maximum cargo volume a bit and it’s cramped enough to be suitable mainly for small children. Dynamically, the Tiguan offers a comfortable, absorbent ride with composed handling, but some shoppers might wish for a bit more powertrain pep and responsiveness.