Used 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan for sale 

VW hasn’t made many changes to the 2020 Tiguan from last year’s model. However, 2020 sees the debut of a new SE R-Line Black trim in the lineup. You get some exclusive R-Line features that include 20” Aluminum Alloys, R-Line Badging and Bumpers and some more exterior upgrades. All the trims are available with the option of an AWD setup and cost $1,500 extra than the Standard version. The engine remains the same 2.0L, inline-4 motor, throughout the range.

Which trim to buy?

With the powertrain remaining the same throughout the lineup of the Tiguan, it’s up to you as to how many features would you want in your Tiguan. If we were to suggest one, we would suggest the SE trim that includes a decent set of features and doesn’t break your bank as well.

Volkswagen uses it’s 2.0L TSI motor in a lot of its vehicles and the Tiguan is one of them. The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan comes with this 2.0L Turbocharged motor and belts out 184 horses and 221lbs.-ft of torque.

The motor is very refined and doesn’t feel stressed even when pushed to the limits. The TSI motor generates class-leading torque while the power figures rank among the best in the segment. We particularly like the 4 Motion AWD technology offered in the Tiguan that makes it a Capable Off-Roader. The 4 Motion equipped Tiguans, however, tradeoff their off-road credentials with performance as the heft of the 4WD system reduces the overall Performance.

Transmission duties are performed by an 8 Speed Automatic Transmission that comes with a Tip Tronic functionality. The transmission is smooth in operation but the Turbo Lag from the 2.0L motor, somewhat makes the Transmission a bit Sluggish to respond at times.

*2019 Model Year figures used for comparison purposes only

Speaking of numbers, the VW emerges as the best in the class contender in terms of combined power and torque figures. The CX-5 and the Santa Fe, offer the most power in this segment but lose out in terms of the torque on offer. That said, the Honda CR-V's 1.5L is the same unit borrowed from the Civic Hatchback that has been tuned to handle this massive SUV. This 190 hp mill is the most powerful engine in this segment. 

How quickly does it gather pace?

Despite having a turbocharger complementing the performance of the engine, the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan isn't very eager to get off the line. This is because of 2 simple reasons. Firstly, the Turbocharger unit starts providing its boost once the motor revs past 1600rpm before which, it offers a considerable Turbo Lag. Secondly, the Tiguan’s extravagant dimensions don’t make the SUV feel agile or eager to respond to any throttle inputs as quickly as one would expect from an SUV of this class.

However, as you get past the 2500rpm and get the turbo rush, the Tiguan feels sporty and athletic and shows its true colors. Also, the slick-shifting DSG gearbox is a pleasure to interact with. However, it doesn't let you hold a gear even in the sports mode and voluntarily upshifts on revving the engine hard - something that might upset the purists here.

When you take the rivals of the Tiguan into account, you will find that most of them are on the same page. The CR-V comes out on top, owing to its superb motor and efficient and optimized aerodynamics. The Subaru Forester loses out, owing to its heft but its the only car here that comes with AWD as standard.

How does it perform on the road?

The Tiguan has been famed for its driving manners and the 2020 version continues to build on the same. The 4motion AWD system drastically improves performance on wet road conditions or the roads “not taken”. The ride is comfortable - courtesy of good suspension tuning from Volkswagen. The German Giant has also invested quite a lot in making the Tiguan as plush inside as possible, as a result, the amount of damping to contain the external noises are bang on point. Making conversations with the occupants won't need more than just a whisper.

There is a little amount of body roll when the Tiguan is made to tackle corners fast but this is one feature that is exhibited by other SUVs of the segment as well. The suspension has been tuned well to tackle the undulations and the off-roads well. Come to the steering feedback and most Volkswagens maintain impressive communication between the road and the driver. The Tiguan isn't different either. However, while spirited cornering, some understeer might upset you, but you'll get used to it after a couple of runs around the twisties. 

Does it stop as well as it accelerates?

The brakes of the 2020 VW Tiguan offer good stopping power and do well to make the Beefy SUV come to a halt in very little time. When it comes to brake pedal feel, we feel that the pedals feel a tad bit softer as compared to other VW cars but they do the job well in under most conditions. VW offers a lot of active braking equipment like auto emergency braking and 4 wheel ABS that adds to the braking capacities of the Tiguan.

Yes, the heavy curb weight and bigger dimensions of the Tiguan get pretty much evident while panic braking as it invites a considerable nosedive when doing so. It could also get scary for few, however, the tires and the balanced chassis still manage to inspire some confidence into the driver. 

The Honda CR-V with its rugged construction has the best feel and performance from the brakes while the Mazda ranks first from the bottom. The Tiguan lies somewhere in the top half of the segment.

Also Read:

Should you consider the Subaru Forester over the Tiguan?

Is the Volkswagen Tiguan safe?

While the 2020 VW Tiguan offers class-leading torque and power, the downside is that all this performance comes at the price of gas MPG. The thirsty engine and the hefty weight of the Tiguan can be held responsible for the “Ordinary” fuel economy figures. The low fuel tank capacity, further adds to the Tiguan’s misery and doesn’t help its cause either.

The Chevy Equinox, Honda CR-V, and the Subaru Forester showcase the best MPG figures among all these SUVs here. The Hyundai Santa Fe and the VW, suffer here and offer the least MPG figures. The Hyundai Santa Fe however, manages to make up for its low MPG figures with its class-leading driving range - thanks to its 18.8-gallon fuel tank.

The cabin inside the Volkswagen Tiguan has to rank among the best in class in terms of the build quality. All buttons have been properly placed while there are no inconsistencies in design or panel gaps. The Volkswagen Tiguan, despite its seemingly compact looking dimensions, offers a good amount of space on the inside for its occupants.

There is a good amount of legroom and shoulder room on all seats while the headroom will be adequate for most passengers except the taller ones. The second row in the Tiguan is particularly suited for long rides as the space offered is immense to stretch your legs or relax your muscles. The seats in the Volkswagen Tiguan offer good bolstering and support while providing adequate cushioning. They have been cushioned in ways such that the body doesn’t feel tired or sore after long hours of sitting inside the same. The same cannot be said for the optional third row as it has stiff thigh support and the negligible legroom adds on to the discomfort, thus enabling a "knee-in-the-nose" posture.

Going by the numbers, the Honda CR-V offers one of the most spacious cabins in this comparison. The Chevrolet Equinox is also pretty spacious, however, this notion takes a hit at the rear seats where the Volkswagen Tiguan overpowers it. The Hyundai Santa Fe is also a spacious contender here, ensuring the availability of maximum room on any seat you pick.

How good is the Infotainment system?

Following the modern-day trend of loading cars with high-tech features, the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan, also bundles a lot of them on the infotainment front. The interface of the 8.0-inch display is decent to use but it could do with a bit more finesse. The transitions between the menu are pretty fluidic in nature and bring along a sense of "premium" aura around it.

Having said that, the 2020 Tiguan's infotainment system has been blessed with a plethora of features. Some of the key highlights of the same are: 

• Android Auto and Apple Car Play 
• 8”/6.5” Touchscreen Infotainment System with Navigation
• SiriusXM Radio and Travel Link with 3 Months Subscription
• VW Car-Net App-Connect with Voice Control
• FM/AM Radio connectivity and In-Car Wi-Fi
• Wireless Charging
• Car-Net Telematics
• USB Connectivity and Charging ports
• Bluetooth Telephony and Connectivity to Multiple devices
• VW Digital Cockpit

Also Read:

How is the Santa Fe as opposed to the Tiguan?

Is the Volkswagen Tiguan reliable enough to live with?

How much cargo can you carry with yourself?

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan offers 12 cu ft. of cargo storage space with its 3^rd Row up and 37.6 cu ft. in its 5 Seater Avatar. That means there is no shortage of space for big Suitcases, carry bags or camping equipment inside the Tiguan. For added utility and practicality, the Tiguan’s second row can be folded down which liberates even higher storage space.

In terms of cabin storage space, there are plenty of bottle holders and cubby holes inside the Tiguan’s cabin. Passengers will also be happy with the number of storage compartments in the cabin of the Tiguan which are present under the armrests and the dashboard. We rather liked the Honda CR-V's practicality forte a bit more than the Tiguan. However, it is safe to say that the Tiguan is on par with the segment standards. The Honda CR-V just offers more, then again, it loses out on a lot of other aspects. 

The aforementioned numbers are achieved when the rear seats are folded flat down. While mostly no other SUV can beat the Tiguan in terms of the cargo capacity, it’s the mighty Honda CR-V that trumps the Tiguan in the cargo space department. The Santa Fe comes in 3^rd  in this regard and is followed by the others.

Interior Features

As discussed previously, the interior of the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan is loaded with a ton of bells and whistles. Following are a few notable features of the interiors

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Blind Spot Monitoring System
• Auto-Dimming Inside Rear View Mirror
• Overhead View camera and Rear View Camera
• Power Adjustable Driver Seats with Memory Function
• Ambient Lighting
• Heated Leather Front Seats
• Keyless Access with Push Button Start
• Dual Zone Climate Control
• Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
• 40/20/40 Split 2^nd Row Seats

Also Read:

Ferrari all-set to conquer the F1 world with its all-new SF1000

Is the Volkswagen Tiguan expensive to live with?

The exterior design of the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV won’t win any Fashion Contests or Style Awards. That said, the Tiguan does look Handsome from all angles with its Precise Lines and well put together body.

There are no panel gaps and inconsistencies in the design of the exterior and the Tiguan has to be one of the best-built SUVs in the segment. The SUV isn’t the smallest in the class and looks big - courtesy of its extravagant dimensions. It doesn’t look compact from any dimension and this translates into good interior space for the passengers and the Cargo Area.

The 7.9 inches of ground clearance in the Volkswagen Tiguan is the biggest in this comparison. This adds to the water wading abilities and inspires confidence while going over speed bumps or rocks/ small boulders while off-roading. The Santa Fe comes in next by posing the biggest numbers in this comparison just after the Tiguan. The rest of the competition is pretty evenly matched here.

What features will draw your attention?

There are a lot of features on the exteriors of the Tiguan that will surely grab the eyeballs of onlookers. Some of the most notable features include

• Adaptive Front Lighting System
• Panoramic Sunroof
• 20” Alloy Wheels
• Heated Wiper Park
• R-Line Front Bumper on R-Line models
• Hands-Free open and Close Tailgate
• Heated Wind Shield Nozzles
• Park Distance Control
• 4 Wheel Independent Suspension
• Rain Sensing Wipers
• Heated Side Mirrors with Memory
• Automatic LED Headlamps and Tail Lamps
• Fog Lamps with corner illuminating features

Also Read:

Is the Honda CR-V reliable?

Is the Chevrolet Equinox's cabin as loaded as the Tiguan's? 

Safety has been the top priority for a lot of carmakers in the world and Volkswagen has been at the top of all this. For 2020, VW has added a number of driver assistance features as standard that intends to make the commutes for occupants of the Tiguan, a bit more safer. Talking about the architecture of the Tiguan, it is based on the tested and proven - MQB platform that can be seen beneath the skin of various other VWs as well. The Tiguan has also aced most of the crash tests with flying colors and has successfully managed to uplift the VW's flag yet again.

Some of those features include

• ABS with ESC and Anti Slip Regulation
• Electronic Differential Locking and Engine Brake Assist
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Front and Side Assistance
• Rear Traffic Alert
• Rear Park Distance Control
• Intelligent Crash Response System
• Side Curtain, Front, and Thorax Airbags
• Seatbelts with Pre Tensioners and Load Limiters

Volkswagen Tiguan vs Honda CR-V

Honda has set a firm foot in the American automotive market clearly. The CR-V is one such halo car that has kept the Honda's cash registers ringing continuously. The CR-V, like the VW, is big on space on the inside, feels athletic and dynamic to drive and offers a superb gas mileage as well. The CR-V is somewhat similar in price to the Tiguan as well. The Tiguan however, offers a lot more power and the 4Motion AWD makes it, a better proposition on the road less taken. Overall, the Tiguan and the CR-V are excellent buys in their own aspects and it just depends on what your preferences are.

Volkswagen Tiguan vs Mazda CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 is one of the most sportiest SUVs in the segment. The Mazda offers one of the Best 2^nd Row Seating arrangement in the class as well. When it comes to the off-road ability, both the SUVs are nearly matched and have potent 4WD systems. The Volkswagen Tiguan scores high on the Infotainment System it has on offer and offers the added ability to carry 7 people on board.
 

Volkswagen Tiguan vs Chevrolet Equinox

The Chevrolet Equinox is the American Answer to what is essentially a market dominated by European, Korean and Japanese SUVs. The Equinox offers good fuel efficiency and way more space in the Interior for both the 1^st Row and 2^nd Row of passengers. The VW Tiguan, however, has a lot more power on tap and has the ability to ferry 7 people. The Tiguan also feels the better built among the 2 and the 4Motion AWD system makes it the better SUV among the 2 for off-roading.

The Volkswagen Tiguan has been around for a while now and has managed to prove its mettle, wherever it’s being sold. The Tiguan comes with a rugged built, terrific dynamics and handling, impressive cargo and Interior space and a long plethora of creature comfort and driver assistance features. The 2020 Tiguan, may not be the most frugal Crossover that you can buy in the market right now but for everything else that the Tiguan comes with, you surely won’t complain about the same.