It’s been a while since Volkswagen offered the Tiguan in the Philippines. It was first introduced in the country in 2015, and the second-generation was briefly sold here in 2017. Volkswagen Philippines reverted to the first gen model when it began sourcing units from SAIC-VW.
That model also had a relatively brief run locally and the Philippines hasn’t seen a Tiguan in showroom since. It’s a bit of a shame given that the Volkswagen Tiguan now the company’s second best-selling model. Yes, this crossover is now outselling the venerable Golf.
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Now, there’s a new generation Tiguan on the way, and Volkswagen has released full details of the all-new crossover. As far as redesigns go, it’s a rather comprehensive one.
By the looks of it, the exterior of the next-gen Volkswagen Tiguan is on the evolutionary side. There are shades of the all-new Passat and some of the electric models, but it’s recognizable as a VW product. Volkswagen redesigns aren’t usually the most radical out there. Given that the Tiguan is its bread and butter, it’s understandable why the company chose a more conservative route.
Inside, it’s a bit of a screen fest with a large, fully digital instrument cluster that stands in front of the drive. Beside it is an even larger screen that houses the infotainment system. From what we can see, it seems that most basic functions are in the screen, something most European manufacturers have been doing these days. We also noticed an electronic gear selector that’s mounted on the steering column.
Moving on to notable highlights, VW claims the cargo area is larger than before. With the second-row seats in place, it now has up to 652 litres back there, depending on the vehicle’s configuration. It will also be available with something called ergoActive front seats. It features pneumatic four-way lumbar support adjustment and a pneumatic 10-chamber pressure point massage function in the backrests. Speaking of optional extras, electronic adaptive suspension is another thing that can be added to the third-gen Tiguan.
Volkswagen also beefed up the crossover’s advanced driver assist systems. From now on, it comes with a lane change system, autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist and road sign display. Options include Park Assist Pro with remote parking capability that allows for automatic driving into and out of parking spaces controlled via a smartphone and Trailer Assist.
Volkswagen also mentioned the available powertrain options for its upcoming crossover. It includes turbodiesel, turbopetrol, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid. These are labeled TDI, TSI, eTSI, and eHybrid, respectively. Volkswagen has a bold claim about the plug-in hybrid is its electric-only range. The company says it has increased by up to 100 kilometers compared with its predecessors.
Power, you ask? For the TSI models, two versions are available, both using a 2.0-liter turbo. The standard engine packs 201hp while the other with 260hp. As for the mild hybrids, there’s a pair of them packing 126hp or 147hp. Opt for the plug-in hybrid versions (there are two) and it pairs that 1.5-liter turbopetrol to an electric motor. That gives the Tiguan eHybrid just over 200hp or just under 270hp.
