Volkswagen Tiguan (2016-2023) review

Right, let’s get it out of the way first. For this facelifted Tiguan, Volkswagen has done away with the easy-to-use, buttoned climate control panel of old and has replaced it with a completely unintuitive touch-button panel that provides no feedback at all. Spiffing.

The new panel is also set so low that you’re always taking your eyes off the road to either check the temperature you’ve just set, or to check whether you’ve actually pressed a damn button at all. It’s bad, really bad. Oh, and R-Line cars also get a sports steering wheel with similar touch buttons rather than real ones. Nightmare.

Still, the rest of the interior is well laid out and there’s nothing too scary. The infotainment systems are new with base spec cars getting an 8.0-inch touchscreen and higher specs upgrading to VW’s 9.2-inch Discover Pro setup. As you’d expect, it has clean graphics and is nice and responsive, although not averse to crashing, as it did on more than one occasion on one of our test cars.

Still, it works well most of the time and also offers smart mobile connectivity, with Wireless App Connect that can mirror your phone using Bluetooth.

All trim levels provide a practical package, with front seats and driving position just fine. There’s also plenty of space and – crucially – light in the rear (especially with the panoramic sunroof, standard on Elegance trim, a £1,270 option on other models), plus a hefty 615-litre boot – something that might just provide the biggest argument for ICE over PHEV as the eHybrid only gets 476 litres of space back there.

R-Line and Elegance trims also get a 10.25-inch digital cockpit, heated front seats, and 30-colour ambient lighting as standard. Elegance also brings a heated steering wheel and panoramic sunroof, while R-Line cars get said sports steering wheel, black headliner and stainless steel pedals.

There are plenty of optional extras available (across all trim levels) that add even greater comfort and convenience, including a fantastic Harman Kardon sound system. Word of warning, though – best to be cautious when spec’ing, as costs can all too quickly add up.