Over the course of our 400-mile test, which included daily drives around Utah Valley, grocery trips and our weekend mountain outing, we averaged a very respectable 26.5 miles per gallon. For an SUV with this much comfort, space and new technology, that’s quite an accomplishment.

A complete redesign for 2025

The Tiguan has long been Volkswagen’s global best-seller, but this latest version might just be the most impressive yet. Built on the new MQB Evo platform — the same architecture used in the Golf and Audi Q3 — the 2025 Tiguan boasted a more athletic stance, sleeker lines and a modernized look that felt premium without being ostentatious.

Our SE model hit the perfect balance between sophistication and subtlety. The Pyrite Silver Metallic paint shimmered beautifully in the fall sunlight, catching just the right amount of attention without shouting for it. Clean body lines, LED lighting all around and a wider front grille gave the SUV a more upscale European presence.

Craig Conover, Daily Herald

Volkswagen has made the 2025 Tiguan slightly longer and wider than before, resulting in more interior space. Despite that, it never felt cumbersome or hard to maneuver — even in tight parking lots or when weaving through Provo’s afternoon traffic.

Inside: A digital revolution

Inside the transformation was even more dramatic. Volkswagen has embraced the digital age with both hands — and it shows. The 2025 Tiguan SE features a fully digital cockpit, anchored by a large 12.9-inch iPad like infotainment touchscreen that dominated the dashboard in the best possible way.

We immediately noticed how clean and minimalistic the cabin felt. Physical buttons had largely been replaced by touch-sensitive controls, which took a few minutes to get used to, but once we did, the system became second nature. The graphics were sharp, transitions smooth, and the menus well-organized.

One of our favorite new touches was the new temperature slider bar under the screen that was illuminated for easy use at night — a big improvement over the previous generation. The digital driver display behind the steering wheel could be fully customized as well, letting us toggle between navigation, vehicle data or classic gauges with just a touch of the steering wheel controls.

Craig Conover, Daily Herald

Comfort and convenience for every day

We put the Tiguan to work over the week — running to the grocery store, commuting to the office and hauling a mix of items for weekend errands. Every time, it reminded us how effortlessly it transitioned between tasks.

The front seats were supportive yet soft, wrapped in Volkswagen’s high-quality V-Tex leatherette that’s as easy to clean as it is comfortable. The SE trim also added heated front seats and dual-zone climate control, which were welcome on cool October mornings.

The back seat impressed us too, offering ample legroom even with taller passengers up front. Volkswagen has slightly reworked the seating position to give rear passengers a better outward view — something our grandkids appreciated on our drive through Hobble Creek Canyon.

Cargo space is generous at just over 23.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and expands to more than 65 cubic feet with them folded. We loaded it up with groceries, gear and a few bulky boxes during the week and never found ourselves short on space.

Craig Conover, Daily Herald

Smooth, refined and confident on the road

Under the hood, Volkswagen has updated last year’s engine a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, now delivering 201 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, up 17 horsepower from last year, paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Power delivery was smooth and confident, especially in the midrange, where the Tiguan felt lively for passing and merging.

While not a performance SUV, the Tiguan SE struck a comfortable balance between pep and refinement. Around town, the throttle response was immediate, and the transmission shifts seamlessly. On the freeway, it cruised quietly and confidently — a hallmark of Volkswagen engineering.

The suspension tuning was perhaps one of the Tiguan’s biggest strengths. Volkswagen has found a near-perfect balance between ride comfort and handling. Even as we climbed the winding curves of Hobble Creek Canyon, the SUV felt composed and agile, soaking up bumps and dips with poise while maintaining sure-footed stability through tighter corners.

Everyday efficiency

Craig Conover, Daily Herald

At the end of our week, our trip computer showed an average of 26.5 miles per gallon, which included a mix of city, highway and mountain driving. Considering the Tiguan’s size, comfort and all-wheel-drive capability, we were more than satisfied with its efficiency.

Volkswagen also offered a start-stop system that helps conserve fuel when idling at lights, though it could be turned off for drivers who prefer a more traditional feel.

Safety and peace of mind

As with most Volkswagens, safety remained a core focus. The 2025 Tiguan SE came equipped with a full suite of IQ.Drive safety technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking.

We made good use of the adaptive cruise during longer freeway stretches, and it worked flawlessly — smoothly slowing down for slower traffic and accelerating back to speed once the lane cleared. The lane assist feature was also well-calibrated, gently nudging the Tiguan back to center when we drifted toward the lines without feeling intrusive.

Craig Conover, Daily Herald

A canyon escape to remember

On Saturday afternoon, we decided to take advantage of the perfect fall weather and headed up Hobble Creek Canyon for a short drive and a picnic by the river. The Tiguan handled the climb effortlessly, the engine humming along with quiet confidence as we passed golden leaves and cool mountain air.

We stopped at a scenic turnout to take a few photos, and that’s when we really appreciated the Tiguan’s new design language — sleek, modern and almost sculpted in a way that looks equally at home in the mountains as it does in a city parking lot.

The panoramic sunroof (available on upper trims, but not far from reach on the SE) would be a must-have option for us next time — perfect for stargazing on fall nights.

At the end of the week

After our week with the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SE, we came away convinced that Volkswagen has hit the sweet spot for modern SUV buyers. It’s smartly styled, filled with technology, efficient and comfortable for everything from daily commutes to weekend getaways.

It’s the kind of vehicle that quietly impresses more with each drive. The combination of its new digital interior, refined handling, strong fuel economy and premium design makes it a standout in a crowded field.

Base price: $33,795

Destination charge: $1,425

Price as driven: $35,220