Volkswagen->ke94 brought the Tiguan->ke1817 to the compact->ke140 crossover->ke288 market back for the 2007 model year, and since then it has been rather successful with more than 2.64 million units sold. At the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show->ke235, the all-new Tiguan was catching eyes like crazy as consumers were waiting for the 2016 Tiguan to hit the market. Highlights of the new model include more aggressive styling outside with a more dominate front fascia, and a slimmed down grille that fills the gap between both headlights. The side profile is more uniform, and overall the Tiguan is actually a bit larger than the outgoing model. Inside, the Tiguan received a digital gauge cluster and new infotainment software that brought Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into the mix. It even comes standard with safety features like City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring.

Competing against models like the Mazda CX-5->ke3814 and the Toyota Rav4->ke370, the Tiguan makes use of VW’s new MQB platform that is used on models like the 2016 Volkswagen Golf->ke164 and the 2016 Audi TT->ke1081, to name a couple. The biggest benefit of the MQB platform is the ability for it to be modified as needed for a specific market. For instance, the U.S and Chinese-spec Tiguans have a longer wheelbase, while European models are just a bit shorter. It seems a little odd in saying it, but the truth is that the Tiguan is rather versatile, and the MQB platform is a perfect fit.

With that said, check out our full review below to learn about all the details surrounding the new Tiguan.

Updated 09/14/2015: The new Volkswagen Tiguan made its world debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan.

Exterior

The Tiguan’s new looks are more streamlined and upscale, with a wider stance by 1.2 inches and a chopped roof that lowers the SUV’s height by 1.3 inches. At 176.6 inches, the new Tiguan is 2.4 inches longer than before, offering more interior room for both rows. Each trim line can be had with an optional off-road front bumper that improves the approach angle from 18.3 to 25.6 degrees. 4Motion AWD models ride 0.4-inches higher than FWD models, totaling of 7.9 inches of ground clearance.

Subjectively, the Tiguan adopts an appearance more becoming on an Audi->ke14. Comparing the new Tiguan with the first generation, you see the chopped roofline, taller beltline, and lower stance. Even without the R-Line option, the Tiguan looks far more menacing than before. Speaking of the R-Line, the sporty trim comes standard with 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels while 20-inch alloys are optional. The R-Line also gets its own bumpers with gloss black accents, a matching rear diffuser, and a two-tone roof spoiler.

Beyond the high-performance R-Line, the European-spec Tiguan will come in three other trim levels: Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline. There is also the GTE plug-in Hybrid concept shown at Frankfurt.

Exterior Dimensions

Side-by-side comparison

Interior

Like the outside, the 2016 Tiguan’s interior has grown up. A richer, more high-end environment looks a badge change away from being an Audi. Upgraded materials and an entirely new layout give the crossover more functionality and style. Lower trim levels come fitted with analog gauges and a five-inch infotainment system while the high-ranging models come with a fully digital, 12.3-inch gauge cluster and an eight-inch infotainment system head unit.

Thanks to the larger exterior, the cabin now an inch longer, giving second row passengers 1.1 inches more knee room. Cargo capacity increases as well, jumping from 16.6 to 18.4 inches. For those times when people and cargo must be carried together, the second row bench can be slid forward 7.1 inches, increasing the cargo area to 21.8 cubic feet. With the second row folded, the Tiguan can swallow 58.5 cubic feet of cargo.

Drivetrain

Volkswagen isn’t shorting Europeans on engine options; there are a total of eight choices. All the engines are Euro-6 compliant and feature turbocharging, direct fuel injection, and a start-stop system. That means the new Tiguan is up to 10 percent more fuel efferent than before. There are four TSI gasoline engines and four TDI turbodiesel options. All but the base engines are offered with AWD as an option, or as standard equipment, depending on trim level.

The TSI gasoline power ratings range from 123 to an impressive 216 horsepower. The highest spec comes from VW’s new 2.0-liter TSI engine. That far out powers VW’s last high-performance 2.0-liter TSI in the first generation Tiguan that made 148 horsepower.

Diesel power is up as well, with the highest spec oil-burner kicking out 237 horsepower thanks to twin turbos and a 36,000-psi fuel injection system. That output, according to VW, makes the 2.0-liter TDI Tiguan one of the most powerful A-SUV segment competitors in Europe. The lesser TDI engines range in output from 113 to 187 horsepower.

Getting that power to the road is the fifth-generation Haldex center differential. The system routes power to the front wheels during normal operation, but can distribute torque individually to each wheel if slippage occurs. Helping the center differential are electronic locks on both the front and rear differentials.

A new push button and rotary dial is used for the 4Motion AWD system. It has modes for normal, snow, automatic off-road, and individual off-road conditions. When switching between modes, information appears about each selection on the infotainment display.

Safety

Volkswagen has paid a lot of attention to the Tiguan’s active and passive safety systems. For passengers inside, the Tiguan has seven airbags that include a driver’s knee airbag, side curtain and seat-mounted side airbags, and of course the main driver and front passenger airbags. Helping keep the Tiguan from getting into a crash are the City Emergency Braking, Pedestrian Monitoring, Lane Assist, and Lane Departure Warning systems. If the worst occurs, the Tiguan will automatically apply its brakes to prevent the vehicle from rolling and potentially causing another accident.

For those on the outside of the Tiguan, VW’s new crossover comes standard with pedestrian safety system that is designed to prevent undue head trauma. The system works like an airbag, but pyrotechnically pushing the hood upward, moving it toward the pedestrian’s head. This increases the distance between their head and the engine. The relatively softer hood basically acts as a cushion.

Prices

Volkswagen has not released pricing at this point, but costs are expected to rise over the outgoing model. Currently the U.S.-spec 2015 Tiguan has a starting price of $24,890. Once the Tiguan reaches the U.S. in 2017, prices could begin around the $26,500 mark.

Competitors

2013 Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 is still a powerhouse in the sales arena, and still one of the most attractive crossover in the market. Thus, with a recent realignment to be a five-seater and four-banger exclusively, and leaving the seven-seater V-6 market to the larger Highlander, a new day arrived for the RAV4

The RAV4 shares its size and market with the Volkswagen Tiguan, even if the latter has the slight step up over the RAV4 in terms of its output. Pricing for both models also fall between the $23,000 to $28,000 depending on the trim you choose, so really, the RAV4 and the Tiguan ultimately falls as a matter of preference for the buyer.

Read our full review here.

2016 Mazda CX-5

If sportiness is one of your biggest needs, the Mazda CX-5 has the freshness and dynamic character to fit nicely in your garage. A more powerful optional engine cuts the original CX-5’s sprint times very nicely and as far as looks are concerned, an argument can be made that there aren't a lot of crossovers that look as good as the CX-5 does. The new Ford Escape->ke233 can make a case although it remains to be seen if the Tiguan can do so, too.

Also, the CX-5 also possesses another trump card up its sleeve: fuel efficiency where its 36 mpg rating is the best of any crossover.

Read our full review here.

History

The Volskwagen Tiguan made its debut in concept guise at the 2006 Los Angeles International Auto Show->ke211 before showing its production look less than a year later at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Since then, the Tiguan has crafted a reputation as a sporty crossover that owes some of its heritage to Volkswagen's GTI line, a testament to the Tiguan's sporty looks, impressive output, and all-around versatility.

Oh, and if you're wondering why the Tiguan is named as such, the name was chosen after winning a naming contest in Autobild magazine, beating the likes of Namib, Rockton, Liger, Samun and Nanuk.

Conclusion

The new Tiguan is much more revolutionary than evolutionary. The crossover grows, offers more powertrain options, rides on an all-new platform, and has a more mature appearance. None of those things are negative as Volkswagen seeks to dominate the compact crossover segment over the entire globe. With both gasoline and diesel options, along with FWD and AWD, the new Tiguan should appeal to a very wide audience in each of its markets. Now we just have to wait for the lengthened version to debut next fall for the U.S. and China.

Updated History

Update 07/14/2015: The 2015 VW Tiguan was recently spied testing in the Alps with a production body.

Spy shots

July 10, 2015 - Volkswagen Tiguan testing in the Alps

February 19, 2014 - First testing session

There's another part about these spy shots that are giving us issues. The rear end is a little flat for a crossover, and certainly a lot more than the current Tiguan that's available today. With that also shows a rear bumper that's lower than usual, which is another strange sight on these spy shots.

We're not prepared to be completely disappointed by what we're seeing here, but based on this Tiguan mule, we at least should prepare ourselves for a next-generation model that will be drastically different in dimensions and proportions to what we have today.