The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan lasts around 250,000 miles with some minor Bluetooth and adaptive cruise control issues reported. At $22,350 to $32,350, it’s a very good value for a reliable compact SUV with some of the latest technology.
Is the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2021 is a great year for the VW Tiguan since it has a lot of standard technology with low ownership costs. Owner reviews praise the comfortable cabin, touchscreen stereo, along with the low fuel costs.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are very nice for a small SUV in its price range, the seats are supportive on long drives, cargo space is also great.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no serious problems on the 2021 Tiguan. Models from 2009–2013 all have engine issues, while 2014–2022 are much more dependable.
- Performance 7/10 – Performance is okay from the standard 4-cylinder engine which is more focused on efficiency rather than speed.
- Safety 8/10 – The 2021 Tiguan is safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. It comes standard with automatic emergency braking along with a rearview camera. Optional upgrades include adaptive cruise control along with lane keep assist.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is good at up to 25 MPG, giving 410 miles of range out of the 16.4 gallon tank. Gas costs are $15 cheaper than average at $227 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan is cheaper than many other small SUVs, while holding value reasonably well, making it a good value.
Positive Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the VW Tiguan?
- Consumer Reports says the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan offers plenty of comfort for drivers and passengers, with good owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the 2021 Tiguan at 3.9/5, praising the passenger room, but doesn’t like the weak engine.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Tiguan a 4.4/5, enjoying the sporty handling, but owners don’t like that it loses value faster than some competitors.
What Common Problems Does the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Have?
Common problems found on the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan include issues with the CarPlay connection, the adaptive cruise control disengaging, along with paint chipping on the front bumper. Overall, these problems are similar to other compact SUVs from the same year, leading to average repair costs as the Tiguan ages.
Issues with the CarPlay connection are the most widespread complaint on the 2021 VW Tiguan, showing up in the first 5,000 miles. Usually the problem is caused by the Bluetooth connection dropping out suddenly. There are software updates available for the stereo system which improves the reliability of the Bluetooth connection which most dealers will install for free.
The adaptive cruise control system disengaging also shows up on some 2021 Tiguan models in the first 10,000 miles. Often the problem is simply caused by a dirty sensor in the front bumper which cannot measure the distances. If there are any hardware failures then you will need to have those diagnosed by a dealership, and most of the time they are covered under warranty.
Chipping paint on the front bumper is another issue that shows up on the 2021 Tiguan at around 20,000 miles. The paint on the bumper is thinner than in some other SUVs, which makes it more prone to chipping when hit with small stones. The only way to fix the chips is by repainting the bumper, which costs around $1,000.
There are five recalls on the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, which is similar to many other compact SUVs from the same year. The most serious recall is for the rear suspension knuckle, which may break while driving. VW will replace it on affected models for free. Other recalls include the rearview camera, along with the rear spoiler.
How Long Will the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Last?
A well-maintained 2021 VW Tiguan can last around 250,000 miles, which is only slightly shorter than the long-lasting Toyota RAV4. Regular annual maintenance costs are higher than many competitors, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $680 per year.
As a used 2021 Tiguan reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the brake master cylinder for $400, oil pan gasket costing $250, along with the alternator which costs $950.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is good for a compact SUV, offering a 6.5-inch touchscreen. Optional upgrades include a larger 8-inch Touchscreen along with a more powerful stereo system.
Standard safety technology offers nice features including:
- Rearview camera
- Blind spot monitor
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Automatic emergency braking
- Forward collision warning
- Pedestrian detection
Optional advanced driver assistance features include:
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane keep assist
- Surround-view parking camera system
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Lane departure warning
- Automatic high-beam headlights
Is the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan a Good Value?
Yes, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan is a good value since it’s more affordable than some other small SUVs while offering a luxurious interior. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $22,350 to $32,350, making it cheaper than a Honda CR-V or Mazda CX-5. When new, the price range was $25,245 to $39,095. Depreciation is similar to other SUVs losing about 8% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the VW Tiguan?
There are five models of the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan offered from the base S, all the way through to the more luxurious SEL Premium R-Line. The Tiguan comes standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is an optional upgrade
S is the entry-level model with:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Seats
- Air Conditioning
- Roof Rails
- Manually Adjustable Front Seats
- Cruise Control
- Roof Rails
- Trailer hitch
- LED Daytime Running Lights
- Power-Adjustable Heated Side Mirrors
- LED Tail Lights
- 5-Inch Color Touchscreen
- USB Port
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Six-Speaker Stereo System
SE is a step up, adding:
- Push-Button Start
- Simulated Leather Seating
- Power-Adjustable Driver’s Seat
- Heated Front Seats
- Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- 8-Inch Touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wireless Smartphone Charging
SE R-Line Black has more upgrades including:
- 20-Inch Wheels
- Black Exterior Trim
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
- Adaptive Fog Lights
- Panoramic Sunroof
- Black Roof Rails
SEL is a luxurious model with:
- 19-Inch Wheels
- Remote Start
- Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers
- 10-Inch Digital Instrument Display
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Power Liftgate
SEL Premium R-Line is the flagship model which adds:
- 20-Inch Wheels
- Power Folding Mirrors
- Leather Seats
- Ambient Lighting
- Hands-Free Tailgate
- LED Headlights
- Nine-Speaker Sound System
What Engines Come In the VW Tiguan?
The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan comes standard with a 2.0L four-cylinder which makes 184 horsepower at up to 25 MPG. It comes standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Performance is okay, taking 8.2 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the VW Tiguan Come In?
How Comfortable Is the VW Tiguan?
The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan is known for its comfortable and spacious interior, providing a pleasant driving experience for both driver and passengers. Inside the cabin, you’ll find high-quality materials and a refined design, creating a sophisticated atmosphere. The Tiguan’s supportive and well-bolstered seats provide comfort during long journeys, while the ample headroom and legroom in both the first and second rows accommodate passengers of varying heights.
The optional third row, available in some trims, is best suited for children or smaller passengers, as the space may be tighter for adults. In addition to its roomy interior, the Tiguan offers a smooth and composed ride, effectively absorbing road imperfections to deliver a quiet and comfortable drive.
How Much Storage Space Does the VW Tiguan Have?
The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan is a versatile and spacious compact SUV that offers impressive storage capabilities. With its 5-passenger configuration, the Tiguan provides 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seats. When the second row is folded down, the total cargo capacity increases significantly, reaching a spacious 73.5 cubic feet.
In the available 7-passenger configuration, which includes a third-row seat, the cargo space behind the third row is reduced to 12 cubic feet. However, by folding down the third-row seats, you can still access the 33 cubic feet of storage behind the second row. For maximum cargo capacity in the 7-passenger configuration, fold down both the second and third-row seats to reveal a generous 65.7 cubic feet of storage space.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The second generation of the VW Tiguan came out for the 2018 model year.
2015: New standard 5-inch touchscreen, rearview camera, along with an automatic transmission.
2016: Standard vinyl upholstery, heated front seats, along with keyless ignition.
2017: SE and R-Line models removed from the lineup, Wolfsburg Edition and Sport models introduced, standard 6.3-inch touchscreen across the lineup.
2018: Fully redesigned for the second generation with a larger interior, third row, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with improved engines.
2019: Minor trim level options adjusted.
2020: More standard driver safety features, and a heated steering wheel on the SEL model.
2021: Standard adaptive cruise control on the SE model, new infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen.
How Does the VW Tiguan Compare to the Competition?
The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan is a very nice compact SUV offering more luxurious interior materials than many competitors, although the parts costs are higher since it’s a German SUV.
The Toyota RAV4 is a popular small SUV which costs around $2,500 more. Ownership costs are better in the Toyota RAV4, while the VW Tiguan offers a higher-quality cabin for the money. We recommend the Toyota RAV4 since it’s more reliable long-term, although both are decent SUVs.
The Honda Pilot is a slightly larger midsize SUV which is available for around $4,500 more. Passenger room is much better in the Honda Pilot, while the VW Tiguan offers better standard entertainment technology. We recommend the Honda Pilot since it’s more practical, although both are nice SUVs.
