- Volkswagen has a redesigned Tiguan headed to U.S. showrooms next year
- The new compact crossover skips the third row of the outgoing model
- The sole powertrain at launch will be a 2.0-liter turbo-4 rated at 201 hp
Volkswagen late on Wednesday revealed its new Tiguan compact crossover for the U.S. market.
It makes its formal debut this week at the 2024 Los Angeles auto show, and is expected to start sales next summer as a 2025 model. The newcomer is lighter and more powerful than the model it replaces, and its cabin has a much more upmarket look and feel.
VW unveiled a new Tiguan for the rest of the world last fall, and the U.S. version closely resembles that model. However, it misses out on the global Tiguan’s plug-in hybrid option, having debuted with only a 2.0-liter turbo-4, but VW has made hints that a hybrid option may be added at some point.
The 2.0-liter engine is rated at 201 hp, which is up 17 hp on the output of the outgoing Tiguan’s 2.0-liter turbo-4. The engine is hooked to an 8-speed automatic, and drives the front wheels as standard and all four wheels with the available all-wheel-drive system. Towing capacity is 1,500 pounds for the FWD Tiguan and 1,800 pounds when AWD is added.
In addition to the power bump, the new Tiguan weighs around 170 pounds less than the outgoing model thanks to the use of aluminum for some of the suspension parts and high-strength steel for parts of the body. VW said the lighter weight results in improved fuel economy and acceleration, though the automaker is waiting until closer to the market launch to publish performance figures.
VW hasn’t provided dimensions but said wheelbase has grown slightly and the rear overhang made shorter, resulting in the outgoing model’s third row no longer being offered. Underpinning the vehicle is an updated version of the outgoing model’s MQB platform. The updated platform is known as the MQB Evo, and supports electrified powertrains.
Production will be handled at VW’s plant in Mexico, and deliveries are expected to start early next summer. Pricing information will be announced closer to the market launch.
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