Interior

As short as the Tiguan looks from the outside, it easily fits three rows of seats, with a middle row that slides to the front and back. One of the major differences between the 2017 and 2018 Tiguan is the additional trim levels - the Wolfsburg trim and the Sport trim.

The Wolfsburg trim adds unique floor mats and badging with a panoramic sunroof. If you go all out with the Sport trim, you add 18 inch alloy wheels, sport suspension, dual climate control that is fully automatic, extra side sills and black door caps for your mirrors. You can also add an optional leather package over the top of both trims that adds Vienna leather alongside power folding door mirrors, memory functions for the driver side seat and dual power adjustability for the driver and the passenger.

Technology

Even if you decide to stick to the base model trim, you can still take advantage of the 6.3 inch touchscreen along with smartphone, USB and Bluetooth connectivity. You gain Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for all of your infotainment needs. The incredibly smooth transitions that you get when switching rivals its competitors like the Mazda CX-5. The suspension has also been improved, giving a more nimble feel to the movements of the Tiguan.

Performance

The power of the Tiguan comes from the turbo four cylinder 2.0 L engine that produces around 180 hp. Volkswagen also offers a turbo diesel version of this engine. Front wheel and all-wheel drive give buyers a choice of performance that gives the short Tiguan the power to off road just as well as the biggest, baddest looking SUV. You get hill descent control with adjustable chassis modes that actually include a mode that is specific to off roading. This shift controls wheel spin to help with especially bad off road conditions.

The Tiguan gets a 0 to 60 speed of 7.5 seconds and a max speed of 130 miles per hour. Diesel gets a bit more performance on both metrics. The overall weight of the Tiguan is 100 pounds less than previous models, but the stability of the crossover remains the same.

Safety

Electrical assistance in the power steering mechanism helps to reduce dangerous body roll during close curves. You gain night vision options with integrated turn signal mirrors, traction control, auto leveling headlights, lane departure warning tech, directional air bags and a rollover protection system, all standard. You can also get brake assist, electronic stability control, child safety locks and daytime running lights, all great safety features for off roading.

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