The next-generation Volkswagen Tiguan has been spied once again ahead of an expected 2023 release.
Volkswagen has been testing its latest Tiguan model for a while now and our latest spy images show the final production car isn’t too far away. With minimal camouflage on display, the German manufacturer’s mid-size SUV might be ready for a full reveal sometime this year.
As we’ve seen before, it doesn’t appear that much is set to change design-wise for the new model. VW’s range of internal-combustion engined cars usually adopts a evolutionary design language – evidenced by the upcoming next-generation Passat and Touareg. With the looming 2030 ban on ICE vehicles, coupled with Volkswagen’s focus on its growing range of all-electric ID models, this may even be the final iteration of the Tiguan.
We expect this new third-generation version of the Tiguan to run right up until 2030 and there may be a chance the Tiguan name will continue as an EV. VW boss Thomas Schäfer told Automotive Daily recently that the Golf could cross over into the ID range, although he questioned whether the Polo name would be iconic enough to keep as an EV – making the case for the Tiguan a pretty tall order in comparison.
Like previous test cars, the front of this one shows a revised grille with a closed-off upper section which gives it a similar face to its ID siblings, while the lower grille has grown compared to previous test cars to help with extra engine cooling. That lower grille also has different surfacing on it compared to other test cars we’ve seen – which could signify variations of spec. The front bumper has also been changed and now incorporates larger side air intakes. The wheels on this test car are 18-inch rims taken from the current Tiguan.
The proportions of the new car look similar to current Tiguan, but it looks like it’ll grow in size to be closer to the Touareg SUV; it’s not clear whether we’ll see another seven-seat Tiguan to rival the likes of the Mercedes-Benz EQB. At the rear, there’s significant suspension droop which might be caused by a new hybrid system. Also at the back we expect to see two individual rear light clusters rather than the full-width LED rear light VW likes to keep for its ID cars. Don’t be taken in by the exhausts on the rear bumper though, those are fakes.
The outgoing Tiguan used a larger version of the previous Golf’s MQB platform and it’ll be a similar story with the new model. The MQB Evo platform that underpins the Mk8 Golf, Cupra Formentor, Audi A3 and Skoda Octavia should be used for the next Tiguan, allowing the new model to feature the same range of plug-in hybrid powertrains as the Golf.
We expect the inside of the new Tiguan to look similar to the upcoming facelifted Golf, rather than the minimalist cabins of the ID cars. A new version of VW’s Digital Cockpit Pro should feature a larger iteration of the 10-inch found in the current Golf. Practicality should be improved with the addition of the MQB Evo platform too, with boot space rising from the current car’s 520 litres.