I wish that it had more than 201hp, but no one is launch-controlling this thing when the light turns green.
It would be nice to have a decent amount of power though. It's not a small vehicle, why can't it have CX-5 Turbo and RDX power on a few trims? Just give it the GTI tune.
I think it's perfectly fine for a base trim but I agree that they should bring the Tiguan R which essentially is a Golf R powertrain. The Tiguan R would immediately be placed at the top of the line here, it would smoke the shit out of a CX-5 turbo. However I think in Europe VAG can back up the numbers to sell both the Tiguan R and Audi SQ3/SQ2, while I imagine their sales numbers or market analysis suggests that a Tiguan R here wouldn't make as much sense. Though to me it seems like a no brainer, the Tiguan is a best seller.
Well the SEL R Line tops out at 40k. According to CarWow the UK pricing of the Tiguan R starts at about the same price as the most expensive, optioned out non-R Tiguan trim. I'd expect something more like $45k which isn't too far off the higher CX-5 turbo trims, and the turbo CX-50 are more expensive as well.
It's the same thing I've said about being an Outback owner. I got the non-turbo option (182hp), and there is a sizeable difference compared to the turbo (260hp). Something between 205-220 would be awesome.
I had a 2017 Forester XT and it was tolerable because it had more than enough power. It made up for the plastics on the interior and the horrible infotainment.
I bought a 2022 Tiguan because I had a baby and it was basically the only car available immediately in July of 2022.
It stunk to drive. 184hp in an SUV packed with adults and kids and strollers and groceries… I hated driving it. It’s also a weird height. It’s an SUV, but somehow low enough to the ground to feel like driving a sedan.
Ate the loss and ditched it for a Pilot a few months ago which is surprisingly fun with the V6 and extremely well outfitted for the price. It has the space etc.
So ya… I’m out on the Tiguan. And an i4 in the Atlas is laughable as well. Thing is massive - it should come with a 300hp i6 minimum.
Tbh I think if you’re an enthusiast you’re looking at compact SUVs a little different than a typical buyer.
The non XT Outback is ANEMIC (2.5 boxer isn’t torquey, CVT response off the line, nothing in the high end) but 95% of people who buy them won’t ever floor that thing 😂 so they still sell great
It's competitive within the class. Look at the base Mazda 2.5, Toyota RAV4 2.5, CR-V, they all make around 200 HP, the CX-5 even makes like 185 or something.
I think the last Tiguan was heavy for the class which is why people thought it was so slow. It’s torquey at least since it’s a small turbo.
Supposedly this one is lighter than the previous gen and with more power might undo that perception. But the touch controls and being burned by a previous VW I personally would only lease
Different engine. This is budack cycle ea888 with some hadware differences and is better for efficiency and emissions compared to the miller cycle gti engine
The 2024+ Atlas doesn’t use the Budack cycle EA888, it has the evo4 or EA888.4 with the Garrett turbo from the Mk8 GTI. Though the Atlas gets the Mexican built version and not the ones from Hungary like the GTI. I wish the Atlas with its size had gotten the Continental turbo version, but I don’t believe they make that engine in Mexico, and likely the Aisin 8-speed may not have worked well with more torque.
Entire dashboard looks to be touchscreen. Even after VW admitted they were going to go back to physical buttons after consumer backlash. Looks like they haven’t learned a single thing.
That lesson was learned long after the interior design of a 2025 model would have been finished. It's not like they designed this in July - it would have been done in like 2022 in order to have the lead in time for suppliers and manufacturing.
Yeah but I don’t think they had mass consumer feedback on it by that point. There clearly wasn’t data that showed their customers would leave if they use stupid controls
201hp/184tq seems very low for a modern 2.0t. Is this thing severely underrated or under stressed (or both?) Heck, even the GTI is making 241/273 on 87 octane.
Very understressed, but moving less weight. The EA888.4 platform seems to respond extremely well to tunes, so 300-350hp is likely possible with just a flash, depending on how big the turbo is on this thing.
Almost like, yeah we don't get the Tiguan R, but at least hey we can kinda build your own... lmao. A Golf R turbo, a couple other supporting mods, proper ECU program, and easily should be looking at 300.
FWIW, even a flash tune like Unitronic or APR or something will take a previous gen stock Tiguan to respectable numbers
The ea888 3b was the replacement for the old 1.8t used in the mk7 golf and b8(I think?) passat. Likely moving to 2.0 meant it can share even more parts with the regular 2.0, even more than the 1.8 already did.
It's tuning towards fuel economy and daily driving. I'm pretty sure with very minimal modifications you can make GTI numbers on an otherwise mostly stock Tiguan.
New EA888 version. I'm not sure at which iteration of EA888 we are at at this point, but from my understanding the recent ones (2017+?) are pretty reliable. I'm not sure which 8 speed is paired to it but a lot of Audi's have the ZF 8HP, but I'm not sure if that's limited to longitudinal powertrains which is pretty much the only application of ZF 8HP I've seen.
Overall it seems like a great car, parts will be more expensive but this is a nicer car than the typical utilitarian RAV4. The main competition IMO would be the CX-5(0), which is comparably nice interior wise and comparably nice to drive, but for less maintenance costs, but in my opinion EA888 powertrains are noticeably more refined than the Mazda skyactiv powertrains, both the engine and the transmission
FWIW the newer Kia 4 banger feels better than the EA888 in last year’s Tiguan. They nerf it in the Tiguan. I have a new Tiguan and currently on a trip in a Kia k5 rental.
The Motortrend article states the 8 speed is from a new supplier, which I thought was kind of interesting. Could it be a ZF9 with a gear delete, similar to what Ford does with their 8 speed vs GM’s 9 speed FWD transmission collaboration?
I think the interior looks pretty nice, but that exterior is not an improvement.
I think the previous gen Tiguan in the full blown R trim was one of the best looking SUVs on the market which is why I bought one. That exterior and no proper R model means I doubt I'll be sticking with a Tiguan when I upgrade in a few years.
It looks boring as hell but thankfully leans tasteful instead of overwrought. And to see interior materials improve (at least according to photos, which I'm sure feature the highest trim) is pretty unusual these days and really welcome. Still too bad about the lack of hard climate controls, but I can see this selling a ton if pricing is competitive
It’s the interior that really looks remarkable to me; the materials look great, with lots of stitched parts that were not previously, and VW also claims real wood for the higher trims, which is pretty unheard of in this segment.
I know the center sliders aren’t ideal to many people, but there are now physical steering wheel buttons and a multifunction knob that can be used as a volume knob. It also has VW’s new software, which is quite good.
The Euro market Tayron (basically the same thing as this car, since their Tiguan is smaller/different) has a PHEV engine that has 268hp and gets 62 miles of EV-only range. VW is UTTERLY idiotic if they are not planning to bring that here, in this current market where hybrid and PHEV demand is huge. Yet another blunder in a long line of mistakes from VWoA (as a current Mk7.5 Sportwagen owner).
stav_and_nick@reddit
Looks decent, but where plug in hybrid? Or any hybrid really?
Quaiche@reddit
I'd be surprised if there was no hybrid Tiguan as the Q5 has a hybrid variant.
sweetaudibro@reddit
Agreed this is a big miss. Just look at how well the RAV4 has been doing with those powertrain options
OpenlyBiCoastal@reddit
Lack of a hybrid seems like a big miss. We’re in the market for a small suv and the wife only wants a hybrid cuv
TheAmericanDonut@reddit
Same boat
niftyjack@reddit
Especially when it already exists in global markets using a gas engine that has a federalized version
Intrepid-Working-731@reddit
I heard rumors about the PHEV from the Euro market eventually making its way over here, although clearly not yet.
sleepybeepyboy@reddit
I like light up logos. I always will
Yes I am corny. lol
halal_vibesonly@reddit
Why all Volkswagen have lightbars either on front or back?
sweetaudibro@reddit
No PHEV option like Europe? Seems like a big miss with how well the RAV4 Prime does
edinburghiloveyou44@reddit
For a volume sales vehicle, this looks good. Kind of has visual ties (surprise) to the bigger Touareg, which I still wish was sold here in the US.
I wish that it had more than 201hp, but no one is launch-controlling this thing when the light turns green.
Also, insert conversation here about not having physical controls for climate functions.
dsonger20@reddit
TIGUAN R.
NOT R-LINE BUT AN ACTUAL R.
plz I am begging you plz bring it to North America. I will happily dump my software problem riddled ID4.
DM725@reddit
It would be nice to have a decent amount of power though. It's not a small vehicle, why can't it have CX-5 Turbo and RDX power on a few trims? Just give it the GTI tune.
Pahlevun@reddit (OP)
I think it's perfectly fine for a base trim but I agree that they should bring the Tiguan R which essentially is a Golf R powertrain. The Tiguan R would immediately be placed at the top of the line here, it would smoke the shit out of a CX-5 turbo. However I think in Europe VAG can back up the numbers to sell both the Tiguan R and Audi SQ3/SQ2, while I imagine their sales numbers or market analysis suggests that a Tiguan R here wouldn't make as much sense. Though to me it seems like a no brainer, the Tiguan is a best seller.
DM725@reddit
It would easily be $50K+ so it better smoke a CX-5 Turbo.
Pahlevun@reddit (OP)
Well the SEL R Line tops out at 40k. According to CarWow the UK pricing of the Tiguan R starts at about the same price as the most expensive, optioned out non-R Tiguan trim. I'd expect something more like $45k which isn't too far off the higher CX-5 turbo trims, and the turbo CX-50 are more expensive as well.
DM725@reddit
The Golf R is $47k+. The same motor ins bigger vehicle would not be the same or less.
Pahlevun@reddit (OP)
That's actually a very valid point
edinburghiloveyou44@reddit
It's the same thing I've said about being an Outback owner. I got the non-turbo option (182hp), and there is a sizeable difference compared to the turbo (260hp). Something between 205-220 would be awesome.
DM725@reddit
I had a 2017 Forester XT and it was tolerable because it had more than enough power. It made up for the plastics on the interior and the horrible infotainment.
CuddleTeamCatboy@reddit
It’s not particularly hard to get more power out of an EA888 in the aftermarket.
AndroidUser37@reddit
The HP is due to the Tiguan using a Budack cycle engine, which closes the intake valve early in the stroke. Makes less HP but is more fuel efficient.
edinburghiloveyou44@reddit
Did not know that. Thank you for that info!
Captain_Mazhar@reddit
Driving a second gen Tiguan right now.
186 is plenty for me with how i drive, but 201 will be a nice upgrade.
Still no word about whether we will get the hybrid model in the US though.
smashingcones@reddit
Not with that power you wouldn't. But when you've got 320+ on tap you best you're ass I'm launching it every now and then lol
Tall-Outside-8425@reddit
I bought a 2022 Tiguan because I had a baby and it was basically the only car available immediately in July of 2022.
It stunk to drive. 184hp in an SUV packed with adults and kids and strollers and groceries… I hated driving it. It’s also a weird height. It’s an SUV, but somehow low enough to the ground to feel like driving a sedan.
Ate the loss and ditched it for a Pilot a few months ago which is surprisingly fun with the V6 and extremely well outfitted for the price. It has the space etc.
So ya… I’m out on the Tiguan. And an i4 in the Atlas is laughable as well. Thing is massive - it should come with a 300hp i6 minimum.
cptpb9@reddit
While I have a passport and agree with you that the Honda V6 is amazing and practical etc etc
The Tiguan is a CR-V competitor, it’s of course going to lag behind in family duty than a pilot that stickers for 15k more
smashingcones@reddit
I've got a 23' R and couldn't imagine how boring it would be to drive with almost half the horsepower.
It's no wonder people hate Tiguans so much.
DeTomato_@reddit
It looks decent. But I prefer the outgoing Tiguan, it’s probably one of the best looking non-luxury crossovers out there.
Recoil42@reddit
Volkswagen has by far the laziest "light bar" design treatment in the entire industry, it kills me.
MrHawkeye76@reddit
i hate these light bars. everyone puts them on their cars, they look stupid everytime and it's just like saying "yes, were cool too"
JediKnightaa@reddit
It's actually Cadillac but they turned laziness into excellence
That single strip of light has been with them for decades.
Iconic but by definition "lazy"
Recoil42@reddit
I think you're talking about the the rear strip on Cadillac, I'm talking about the front on the Tiguan.
Miserable-Assistant3@reddit
But they‘ve got light up logos now in Europe. Even while moving
HOONIGAN-@reddit
Nah, that honour goes to the Ford Escape. That shit looks like a DIY Amazon LED kit when it's coming down the road at you.
Fruitloopes@reddit
I thought it was a diy led kit, turns out it wasn’t
NapsterKnowHow@reddit
That's how the Explorer amber lights look too
DM725@reddit
Why can't they make it powerful enough by just using a similar tune to the EA888 in the GTI. 201HP is just not enough.
Ill-Scientist-2663@reddit
Your average CUV buyer doesn’t care if it makes 200 or 250, as long as it makes enough power to safely merge and not feel like a total turd.
DM725@reddit
Lot of dudes that need something for car seats and go elsewhere bc of the anemic engine. I know I did even though they had 0% financing.
cptpb9@reddit
Tbh I think if you’re an enthusiast you’re looking at compact SUVs a little different than a typical buyer.
The non XT Outback is ANEMIC (2.5 boxer isn’t torquey, CVT response off the line, nothing in the high end) but 95% of people who buy them won’t ever floor that thing 😂 so they still sell great
Pahlevun@reddit (OP)
It's competitive within the class. Look at the base Mazda 2.5, Toyota RAV4 2.5, CR-V, they all make around 200 HP, the CX-5 even makes like 185 or something.
cptpb9@reddit
I think the last Tiguan was heavy for the class which is why people thought it was so slow. It’s torquey at least since it’s a small turbo.
Supposedly this one is lighter than the previous gen and with more power might undo that perception. But the touch controls and being burned by a previous VW I personally would only lease
DM725@reddit
But then you get in to the high $3X,XXX and all of a sudden the CX-5 Turbo has 310 lbs of TQ on 87 octane fuel...
Imtherealwaffle@reddit
Different engine. This is budack cycle ea888 with some hadware differences and is better for efficiency and emissions compared to the miller cycle gti engine
DM725@reddit
What about the Atlas?
A_cold_dish@reddit
The 2024+ Atlas doesn’t use the Budack cycle EA888, it has the evo4 or EA888.4 with the Garrett turbo from the Mk8 GTI. Though the Atlas gets the Mexican built version and not the ones from Hungary like the GTI. I wish the Atlas with its size had gotten the Continental turbo version, but I don’t believe they make that engine in Mexico, and likely the Aisin 8-speed may not have worked well with more torque.
DM725@reddit
Yea so the Atlas engine in the Tiguan.
gulfbleu@reddit
Entire dashboard looks to be touchscreen. Even after VW admitted they were going to go back to physical buttons after consumer backlash. Looks like they haven’t learned a single thing.
bikedork5000@reddit
That lesson was learned long after the interior design of a 2025 model would have been finished. It's not like they designed this in July - it would have been done in like 2022 in order to have the lead in time for suppliers and manufacturing.
BTTWchungus@reddit
People were definitely complaining about the touchscreen nonsense in 2022
cptpb9@reddit
Yeah but I don’t think they had mass consumer feedback on it by that point. There clearly wasn’t data that showed their customers would leave if they use stupid controls
bandito-yeet-dorito@reddit
201hp/184tq seems very low for a modern 2.0t. Is this thing severely underrated or under stressed (or both?) Heck, even the GTI is making 241/273 on 87 octane.
treeyeeter@reddit
Very understressed, but moving less weight. The EA888.4 platform seems to respond extremely well to tunes, so 300-350hp is likely possible with just a flash, depending on how big the turbo is on this thing.
phulton@reddit
It's not the same engine. APR shows a stage 1 93 tune on the previous gen 3B engine making around stock ea888.4 GTI power levels.
Pahlevun@reddit (OP)
Almost like, yeah we don't get the Tiguan R, but at least hey we can kinda build your own... lmao. A Golf R turbo, a couple other supporting mods, proper ECU program, and easily should be looking at 300.
FWIW, even a flash tune like Unitronic or APR or something will take a previous gen stock Tiguan to respectable numbers
Captain_Mazhar@reddit
It’s the Budack cycle engine which sacrifices peak power and torque for efficiency.
phulton@reddit
The ea888 3b was the replacement for the old 1.8t used in the mk7 golf and b8(I think?) passat. Likely moving to 2.0 meant it can share even more parts with the regular 2.0, even more than the 1.8 already did.
jakeuten@reddit
201 HP / 224 lb/ft. But the EA888B runs on the Budack cycle, which helps efficiency.
Pahlevun@reddit (OP)
It's tuning towards fuel economy and daily driving. I'm pretty sure with very minimal modifications you can make GTI numbers on an otherwise mostly stock Tiguan.
Pahlevun@reddit (OP)
New EA888 version. I'm not sure at which iteration of EA888 we are at at this point, but from my understanding the recent ones (2017+?) are pretty reliable. I'm not sure which 8 speed is paired to it but a lot of Audi's have the ZF 8HP, but I'm not sure if that's limited to longitudinal powertrains which is pretty much the only application of ZF 8HP I've seen.
Overall it seems like a great car, parts will be more expensive but this is a nicer car than the typical utilitarian RAV4. The main competition IMO would be the CX-5(0), which is comparably nice interior wise and comparably nice to drive, but for less maintenance costs, but in my opinion EA888 powertrains are noticeably more refined than the Mazda skyactiv powertrains, both the engine and the transmission
spewing-oil@reddit
FWIW the newer Kia 4 banger feels better than the EA888 in last year’s Tiguan. They nerf it in the Tiguan. I have a new Tiguan and currently on a trip in a Kia k5 rental.
phulton@reddit
The Tiguan EA888 is not the same as the other EA888 2.0 engines.
V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit
Interesting to see that. I always thought coming with DSG. Looks like they going to discontinue DSG in future.
smokeey@reddit
It's an Aisin 8 speed. This will be the first evo4 car to come out of the Mexico factory as well.
bamahoon@reddit
I believe the 8-speed is an Aisin unit, like they have been.
jakeuten@reddit
The Motortrend article states the 8 speed is from a new supplier, which I thought was kind of interesting. Could it be a ZF9 with a gear delete, similar to what Ford does with their 8 speed vs GM’s 9 speed FWD transmission collaboration?
Pahlevun@reddit (OP)
Until today I had absolutely no idea but you're right. Damn that Aisin 8 speed is in everything.
bamahoon@reddit
Audi even used a longitudinal Aisin for some things. My parents' Q7 has one.
Pahlevun@reddit (OP)
I just saw, looking up its applications. That's very cool
shrekwithhisearsdown@reddit
i think its ea888.4
Bradymyhero@reddit
Pretty impressive inside and out
Barack_Odrama_007@reddit
Top trims come with heated/ ventilated and massaging front seats! Top tier features especially for this class!
smashingcones@reddit
I think the interior looks pretty nice, but that exterior is not an improvement.
I think the previous gen Tiguan in the full blown R trim was one of the best looking SUVs on the market which is why I bought one. That exterior and no proper R model means I doubt I'll be sticking with a Tiguan when I upgrade in a few years.
64Olds@reddit
It's so sad how cars just keep getting uglier and stupider looking.
Reddit-Bot-61852023@reddit
Now I see why the CEO resigned
verbol@reddit
Free advise for VW and Audi, do more collabs with Porsche
ClusterFugazi@reddit
No hybrid? Pass
DismalCorgi@reddit
I don’t care for this whole “small headlights and gaping maw” thing VW has going on lately.
StrongOnline007@reddit
It looks boring as hell but thankfully leans tasteful instead of overwrought. And to see interior materials improve (at least according to photos, which I'm sure feature the highest trim) is pretty unusual these days and really welcome. Still too bad about the lack of hard climate controls, but I can see this selling a ton if pricing is competitive
Intrepid-Working-731@reddit
Exterior looks good enough.
It’s the interior that really looks remarkable to me; the materials look great, with lots of stitched parts that were not previously, and VW also claims real wood for the higher trims, which is pretty unheard of in this segment.
I know the center sliders aren’t ideal to many people, but there are now physical steering wheel buttons and a multifunction knob that can be used as a volume knob. It also has VW’s new software, which is quite good.
I dig it.
treeyeeter@reddit
The Euro market Tayron (basically the same thing as this car, since their Tiguan is smaller/different) has a PHEV engine that has 268hp and gets 62 miles of EV-only range. VW is UTTERLY idiotic if they are not planning to bring that here, in this current market where hybrid and PHEV demand is huge. Yet another blunder in a long line of mistakes from VWoA (as a current Mk7.5 Sportwagen owner).
AllLibsAreBoomers@reddit
>:[}