Volkswagen Tiguan (2008 – 2016) Review

Volkswagen Tiguan (2008 – 2016) At A Glance

3/5

+Decent SUV with diesel automatic option. Comfortable seats. Escape version capable off-road. Optional Park Assist works well. Much better from September 2011 facelift.

-Originally had hard ride. 2.0 TDI PD no longer the best. Fuel economy not brilliant.

Insurance Groups are between 14–25
On average it achieves 84% of the official MPG figure

If you're looking for the newer model, you'll need our Volkswagen Tiguan review.

Oh, no, not another 4x4. Are the roads really that bad? What next: an Audi Hiawatha? By my count, the VW Tiguan numbers the 63rd SUV on the UK market. Should you be even remotely interested?

Well, first there's the badge. VW reliability might not be as legendary as it was. But that Beastie Boy medallion still cuts some sway in snobby Surrey suburbs.

Then there's the back seats. Slightly higher than the fronts, Freelander style, giving kids in the back a view forwards, and making them less likely to chuck up down your neck. These seats are also supremely comfortable, centre rear is fine for adults as well as kids and legroom is generous.

Real MPG average for a Volkswagen Tiguan (2008 – 2016)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

84%

Real MPG

24–58 mpg

MPGs submitted

621

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

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Ask Honest John

Will a VW Tiguan with DSG be reliable?

"I thinking of buying a 10 year old VW Tiguan with 60K miles with a DSG gearbox. Are there any issues with the DSG after this mileage?"
Tiguans with engines under 2.0-litres and front-wheel-drive are fitted with the DQ200 dry clutch DSG which has been more problematic, while 2.0-litre and four-wheel-drive versions use the wet clutch DQ250 which is not perfect, but has a better reliability record. A full service history is a must, as this should include the oil and filter change for the wet clutch DQ250 which will help to keep it running as it should. You can find out more here: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/dsg-gearbox/
Answered by David Ross

Can you recommend an estate with a raised seating position?

"I have a 2-litre Golf DSG which, with its low and sculptured seats, I find difficult getting in and out of. I want to replace it with a recent, used, low mileage estate, petrol, DSG with a seat /cabin higher than the Golf. I have about £15,000 pounds to spend."
An estate like the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack will have a higher seating position, you'll get a 2016 model (one generation out of date) for less than £16,000 with less than 15,000 miles. But for a car that's significantly taller than your Golf, you'd be better off going for an SUV. Your budget is enough to get you a 2015 old-model Volkswagen Tiguan with less than 50,000 miles on the clock. Or a 2016 version of the current model with closer to 100,000 miles on it. Reviews of all the cars mentioned above: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volkswagen/golf-alltrack-2015/ https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volkswagen/tiguan-2008/ https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volkswagen/tiguan-2016/
Answered by Russell Campbell

What's the best small SUV with an automatic transmission?

"I'm looking to change my current car after the winter for a small SUV. I have back and left knee ligament trouble so an auto box is preferable. I'd be looking at something like a Vauxhall Mokka, Peugeot 2008, Ford Ecosport/Kuga or Volkswagen Tiguan. Budget is £7000."
A Volkswagen Tiguan could be a good option although, unless you cover a lot of miles, we'd recommend a petrol and you'd be looking at an older 2.0-litre TSI 4Motion with your budget. These are rare and could be expensive to run. How about a Suzuki Vitara? They're a bit smaller than a Tiguan and not as plush inside, but they're very reliable. We'd recommend a Toyota RAV4, too.
Answered by Andrew Brady

EGR valve has clogged up on my seven-year-old Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI Diesel

"I need to replace the EGR valve on my seven-year-old Volkswagen Tiguan diesel, at a cost of £1200 because it is coked-up. My car was subject to the emissions scandal and was modified by Volkswagen to comply with the regulations. I wonder whether this modification could have resulted in fewer particulates being emitted which were then re-circulated in the engine leading to a premature coking-up of the valve? I have taken this up with VW Customer Services, but they said they could not help me. "
Under it's 'Restoring Trust' warranty, VAG guaranteed to put right any 'consequential' issues that could have resulted from the NOx emissions fix for up to 2 years from the fix or up to a total of 160,000 miles whichever came first. Because simply reducing NOx creates more soot that would have clogged the EGR, the fix involved reprogramming the injectors to undertake an additional cycle which could create additional wear. Basically, if a Volkswagen dealer had to replace your EGR, then is should have been covered for up to 2 years from the fix. A few cases are now starting to emerge of EGR/injector failures outside the 2 year limit.
Answered by Honest John
More Questions

What does a Volkswagen Tiguan (2008 – 2016) cost?