Representative photo — may show another model year
SUV
2019 Volkswagen Tiguan
Independent review & score by Carivo
Price Range
$28,016–$36,272
Fuel Economy22 MPG
Seating5 passengers
CategorySUV
Est. Annual Fuel$2,386/yr
The 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan scores 7.5/10 at Carivo, ranking #947 of 2454 suvs, with 5 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $2,386/year fuel cost.
Scored by Carivo·Updated: September 8, 2026·How we score →
Key Specifications — 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan
Engine
2.0L 4-Cylinder
Transmission
Automatic (S8)
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel Type
Regular
City / Hwy MPG
22 / 29 MPG
Combined MPG
25 MPG
Est. Annual Fuel Cost
$2,450
CO₂ Emissions
355 g/mi
Seating Capacity
5 passengers
Body Style
SUV
Base Price
$28,016–$36,272
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
About the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan
The 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.5/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 9.0/10, while Performance at 6.6/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.0/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. On safety, it scores 9.0/10 in our assessment. Always confirm the official crash-test results for your exact trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.6/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. At 7.6/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $28,016–$36,272, 22 MPG, seating 5, the Volkswagen Tiguan sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Its value score of 8.0/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 7 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on performance if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good suv should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
How It Ranks Among SUVs
The 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan ranks #947 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 61% of the segment. Its 7.5/10 overall score is 0.1 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $28,016 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 22%.
$0 — 5 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
Insurance
Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Which Tiguan Year Should You Buy?
Smart-money pick: the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan scores 7.2/10 — within striking distance of the 2019's 7.5 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
Top-tier safety scores across crash tests and driver-assistance tech
Good overall value; holds its own against pricier alternatives in the segment
Modern, intuitive tech suite with wireless connectivity and up-to-date ADAS
Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well
✗ Where it falls short
Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
Driving dynamics are adequate but uninspiring; not the choice for enthusiast drivers
NHTSA Recalls — 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan (5 on record)
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.
Equipment / Other / Labels 27/03/2019 · 19V241000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Tiguan LWB vehicles. The tire information label contains inaccurate tire dimension and inflation pressure specifications. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the…
Electrical system / instrument cluster/panel 26/11/2018 · 18V824000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles that do not have keyless entry. The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know…
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.
Structure / Body 06/04/2022 · 22V226000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan and 2018-2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. Due to incorrect installation instructions, the accessory rear hatch spoiler may be insufficiently attached to the vehicle.
Tires / Pressure monitoring and regulating systems 31/10/2022 · 22V815000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas…
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
Common Questions — 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan
Is the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
We rate the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan's reliability 7.0/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
How many recalls does the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan worth buying?
It scores 7.5/10 overall, ranking #947 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 61% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
How much does the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan cost?
The 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan starts at $28,016 and ranges up to $36,272 across trims (MSRP when new). At 22 MPG, expect roughly $2,386/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Which Tiguan years should you avoid?
Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Tiguan years we've rated are 2017 (7.2/10), 2016 (7.2/10), 2015 (7.2/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (7.8/10). See the full year table above before deciding.
What problems does the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
The documented issues for the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Equipment, Electrical system, Suspension, Structure (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
Owner Essentials — Volkswagen Tiguan
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More Volkswagen Reviews
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