One of the largest compact crossover SUVs on the market has returned for a new model year, with all new updates and some of the best-in-class features. The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan brings ample cargo space, lots of passenger volume, plenty of towing, and impeccable fuel economy to the table. Available in five distinct trims, each offering something unique and class-defining, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan is a perfect blend between economical utility and comfortable luxury.
The five trims are available in a total of nine different configurations, giving drivers plenty of options to choose from. The trims include the base S, the SE, the SE R-Line Black, the SEL, and the luxurious SEL Premium R-Line, which is perfect for those who want to take their 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan to the next level when it comes to comfort, convenience, and driving satisfaction.
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The core of any Volkswagen SUV is the powertrain, a beefy compilation of high-quality components designed to give the Tiguan amazing performance, ample propulsion, and great handling capabilities. The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces up to 221 pound-feet of torque and 184 horsepower.
The engine is connected to an 8-speed automatic transmission that gives the Tiguan enough spark to perform well on the road, ensuring that handling is smooth, acceleration is on point, and travel speeds are more than adequate for whatever you have planned for the day ahead. The powertrain delivers enough gusto to not only give the Volkswagen Tiguan the power to travel from point A to point Z, but it also enables drivers to a maximum towing capacity of up to 1,500 pounds when properly equipped. The Tiguan also sports a maximum payload capacity of 1,146 pounds.
If you plan on taking the Volkswagen Tiguan into off-road territory, every trim is available with all-wheel drive configurations powered by Volkswagen 4Motion technology. The road-handling is also enhanced with all-new uniquely designed 17-inch wheels for the SE trim, while the SEL trim offers slightly larger wheels of the 19-inch variety. Not large enough for you? The custom SE R-Line Black trim and SEL Premium R-Line come equipped with 20-inch wheels, designed to conquer many types of road conditions and surfaces.
In fact, the 2021 Volkswagen crossover SUV is quite capable, managing to reach 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 8.4 seconds. So you not only have a very robust SUV housing a turbocharged engine, but one that accelerates off the line without any problems. In some cases, when power and propulsion aren't a problem for an SUV, fuel economy can become an issue. That's not an issue for the 2021 Tiguan because it comes with a 15.3-gallon fuel tank and is very well optimized for long-distance travel, managing a fuel economy of 23 miles per gallon in the city and up to 29 miles per gallon on the highway.
The performance of the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan isn't the only impressive thing about the compact crossover SUV. The interior maintains the same spacious design, allowing occupants to make use of a maximum passenger volume of 123.9-cubic feet with up to 65.7-cubic feet of cargo space with the second-row seats folded. This enables you to store plenty of cargo, miscellaneous items, or groceries in the back. The standard seating arrangements afford up to five passengers in the Tiguan, with a 40/20/40 split middle row bench and an available third-row seating option for all trim levels above the SE, enabling seating for up to seven people using a rear 50/50 split bench.
The adjustable seating also enables you to reconfigure the cabin space of the Tiguan with the second-row reclining feature or the option to slide the seats up to seven inches forward or backward to make room for large cargo or additional packages. The third-row seats can also be folded, giving passengers 33 additional cubic feet of space for storage in the three-row configuration of the Tiguan. Alternatively, you have up to 12-cubic feet of cargo space at the very rear when all three rows are occupied by up to seven passengers.
A 10-way power driver seat with lumbar support and three-position memory is available, giving occupants maximum comfort during the ride. You can also keep cargo fastened and secure inside the compact SUV thanks to the interior tie-down hooks and plentiful storage compartment. The additional roof rails are also designed so that when the space inside the cabin is fully occupied, you can store items such as luggage, fishing material, or even bikes on top of the vehicle for easy transportation.
As mentioned, the Tiguan can also tow up to 1,500 pounds worth of cargo using an available towing hitch. Storage through the power liftgate is also made easy thanks to the foot-activated power-opening mechanism, or you can enjoy everything the great outdoors has to offer from inside the cabin thanks to a panoramic sunroof. Driving is also made safe and easy due to halogen headlights, integrated turn-signal indicators, and the availability of fog lights with cornering technology.
The hallmark of any good modern vehicle is the technology. It powers everything from the performance, to the interior connectivity features, to the safety functionality. Fortunately, there's no shortage of the most advanced technology available powering the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan. This includes the always-popular Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and MirrorLink compatibility, enabling drivers and passengers to take full advantage of wireless connectivity, which is made standard across all trim lines. Wireless charging is also made available for compatible smart devices, along with Bluetooth connectivity for media and app access.
Dual-zone Climatronic automatic climate control makes it easy and convenient to keep the temperature inside the cabin not too warm and not too cold, while a trip computer operated by multiple sensors keeps the vehicle running in optimal condition. From KESSY keyless access and remote start to rain-sensing windshield wipers, the 2021 Tiguan is outfitted with a litany of technological amenities that not only make the drive comfortable but also enjoyable. This includes the available Fender Premium Audio System, complete with 9-speakers and a subwoofer tucked away to prevent it from occupying any of the cargo-carrying space. The sound system is topped off with a 480-watt 12-channel amp that provides a complete surround sound experience inside the cabin of the SUV.
Not keen on navigating through apps and media using your smartphone or wireless device? Make use of the built-in touchscreen available in the center dashboard to find the media or radio station you prefer, or simply take advantage of the voice-activated radio with SiriusXM satellite technology to access a wide range of different stations, podcasts, and radio programs. The all-new next-generation CarNet telematics system is now standard on all trims, along with in-vehicle Wi-Fi support and integrated driver assist functionality, including rear traffic alert, a rearview camera system, and autonomous emergency braking.
Thanks to the inclusion of six stability-enhancing management systems, the Tiguan is designed to run for as long as you're willing to drive it, and that promise is further buffered by the fact that the Tiguan – like many other Volkswagen automobiles – has one of the lowest maintenance costs over a five-year ownership period when compared to competitors, making it not only a safe vehicle to drive, but a cost-effective vehicle as well.