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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.0L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 25 / 32 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 28 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,400 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 320 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $33,948–$45,765 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.8/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.9/10, while Performance at 7.7/10 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. Reliability stands out at 8.9/10. The Tiguan nameplate has earned that score through its track record and a comparatively clean recall sheet. Safety lands at 8.2/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.7/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. At 7.8/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $33,948–$45,765, 28 MPG, seating 5, the Volkswagen Tiguan sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Its value score of 8.3/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 1 year old, it's recent enough that the core feature set holds up well against current competition.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan will scare a sensible buyer off. It scores consistently across the board, and 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 →
The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan ranks #428 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 83% of the segment. Its 7.8/10 overall score is 0.4 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $33,948 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 6%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $35k →
Smart-money pick: the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan scores 7.6/10 — within striking distance of the 2025's 7.8 — 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.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.8/10 | $33,948 | Read review → |
| 2025 (this review) | 7.8/10 | $33,948 | |
| 2024 | 7.7/10 | $32,960 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.6/10 | $31,971 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.6/10 | $30,982 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.5/10 | $29,993 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.5/10 | $29,004 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.5/10 | $28,016 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.5/10 | $27,027 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.2/10 | $26,038 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.2/10 | $25,049 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.2/10 | $24,060 | Read review → |
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 by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Steering / Linkages / Tie rod assembly 13/08/2025 · 25V526000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Tiguan vehicles. A tie rod bolt on the rear axle assembly may be loose, which can lead to a loss of vehicle control. |
|---|---|
| Air bags / Sensor / Occupant classification / Front passenger 10/12/2025 · 25V854000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Tiguan vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied. |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan's reliability 8.9/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
2 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.8/10 overall, ranking #428 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 83% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan starts at $33,948 and ranges up to $45,765 across trims (MSRP when new). At 28 MPG, expect roughly $1,875/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Volkswagen models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.