Home › Volkswagen › Volkswagen Tiguan 2021

Volkswagen Tiguan 2021 review

SUV Petrol

Volkswagen Tiguan 2021 — front three-quarter view

Overview

The facelifted second-generation Tiguan reached the UK in late 2020, and 2021 cars are the first full model year of the update — identifiable by the illuminated grille strip, IQ.Light matrix LED headlights and the MIB3 infotainment system inside. It remains the default answer for UK families wanting a mid-size SUV: not the cheapest, not the flashiest, but deeply competent at everything. UK prices opened at £24,915 for the 1.5 TSI 130, with Life trim (£26,915) the predicted best-seller.

The engine choice is the widest in the class. Petrol buyers get the 1.5 TSI in 130 or 150PS form, or the 2.0 TSI with 190PS, while diesel buyers get the 2.0 TDI in 150 or 200PS — and 2021 added the 1.4 eHybrid plug-in with 245PS and up to 30 miles of electric range. At the top sits the Tiguan R with 320PS, 0–62mph in 4.9 seconds and a £45,915 price tag. For most families the 1.5 TSI 150 is the pick: 44.1mpg WLTP and enough pace for a fully loaded holiday run.

Practicality is the Tiguan's superpower. The 615-litre boot is one of the biggest in the segment, the rear bench slides and reclines, and diesel 4Motion versions tow up to 2,500kg braked — caravan territory. Travel Assist brings level-2 semi-autonomous driving to the motorway, and the car carried over its five-star Euro NCAP result from 2016.

Used 2021 Tiguans now sit at roughly £15,000–£25,000, with trim and gearbox the big price movers. Buy carefully: the MIB3 infotainment can freeze or reboot, the touch-sensitive climate controls frustrate some owners, and TSI engines can weep coolant from the water pump or thermostat housing. Diesels need proper mileage to keep the DPF happy — short urban trips kill them. Cars that cost over £40,000 new pay a £565-a-year VED supplement in years two to six, so check the original list price of high-spec Elegance and R models.

UK price from: £24,915

Related buying guides:
Best small SUVs UK

Specifications

Engine	1.5L turbo petrol (TSI Evo), 150PS
Other engines	1.5 TSI 130; 2.0 TSI 190; 2.0 TDI 150/200; 1.4 eHybrid 245PS; R 320PS
0-62mph	9.9s (1.5 TSI 150); 7.5s (TDI 200); 7.5s (eHybrid)
Fuel economy (WLTP)	44.1mpg combined (1.5 TSI 150); 52.1mpg (TDI 150); 176.6mpg (eHybrid)
CO2	130g/km (1.5 TSI 150); 142-149g/km (TDI 150); 38g/km (eHybrid)
Boot space	615 litres seats up (1,655L folded); eHybrid 476L
Kerb weight	~1,495-1,633kg; eHybrid ~1,819kg
Dimensions	4,509 x 1,839 x 1,681mm (L/W/H); 2,677mm wheelbase
Towing	Up to 2,500kg braked (diesel 4Motion)
Emissions	Euro 6 — ULEZ and clean-air-zone compliant
Euro NCAP	5 stars (tested 2016, carried over to facelift)
Insurance groups	Groups ~16-30 depending on engine and trim

Features

IQ.Light LED matrix headlights (standard on Elegance and above)
Digital Cockpit with 8-inch MIB3 touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Travel Assist level-2 semi-autonomous motorway driving
615-litre boot with sliding, reclining rear bench
1.4 eHybrid plug-in hybrid option with up to 30 miles of electric range
4Motion all-wheel drive on TDI 200, TSI 190 and Tiguan R
Adaptive cruise control with front assist autonomous braking

Common parts & prices

Part	Price (GBP)	Notes
Front brake pads (set)	£39.99	Pattern part; OEM specification
Oil filter	£10.99	Pattern part
Engine air filter	£15.99	Pattern part
Cabin pollen filter	£13.99	Pattern part; annual replacement
Spark plugs (set of 4)	£32.99	Pattern part; petrol models
Wiper blades (pair)	£24.99	Pattern part; flat aero blades

Prices are typical UK aftermarket/OEM guide prices and may vary by supplier.

Pros

Huge 615-litre boot and sliding rear bench — best-in-class practicality
Engine for everyone: frugal 1.5 TSI, torquey TDI or 245PS eHybrid plug-in
Up to 2,500kg braked towing on diesel 4Motion versions
Five-star Euro NCAP safety with strong standard driver aids
Life trim is the used sweet spot — big-car spec without big-car money

Cons

MIB3 infotainment can freeze/reboot and the touch HVAC sliders annoy many
Cars over £40k new pay a £565/year VED supplement for years 2–6
Diesels punish short journeys — DPF and EGR issues on town-only cars
The eHybrid's boot shrinks to 476 litres and it is front-drive only

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the Tiguan and Tiguan Allspace?

The Allspace is a separate longer model, not just a trim: it stretches to around 4,728mm with a 2,790mm wheelbase, adds a third row for seven seats and grows the boot to up to 700 litres. The standard Tiguan reviewed here is strictly a five-seater. On the used market the Allspace commands a premium of a few thousand pounds.

Does the 1.5 TSI Tiguan have a timing belt or chain?

The 1.5 TSI Evo petrol uses a timing belt, and Volkswagen's schedule calls for replacement around five years or roughly 130,000 miles — check it has been done on a 2021 car, because a snapped belt destroys the engine. Budget £400–£600 for a belt-and-water-pump job at a good independent.

What is the real electric range of the Tiguan eHybrid?

Officially the 2021 eHybrid manages up to 30 miles of electric range WLTP, and owners typically see 22–28 miles in mild weather, less in winter. It charges from a home wallbox in around 3.5 hours. It suits drivers with home charging who mostly do short trips — without it, you just haul a heavy battery around.

Are 2021 Tiguan diesels OK for short journeys?

No — like all modern diesels, the 2.0 TDI needs regular longer runs for the DPF to regenerate, plus AdBlue top-ups for the SCR system. A TDI used only for school runs and shopping will develop DPF, EGR and AdBlue faults. Buy the diesel only if you do consistent motorway or A-road miles; everyone else should choose the 1.5 TSI.

How much is road tax on a 2021 Tiguan?

The standard annual rate is around £195–£200. But the Tiguan's trim walk climbs fast: high-spec Elegance, R-Line and R models that cost over £40,000 new pay an extra £565-a-year expensive-car supplement for years two to six — a 2021 car stays liable until 2027. Check the original list price before you buy a top trim.