Volkswagen has already revealed some official spy shots of the next-generation Tiguan to help build anticipation for the fall 2023 launch. But since those polished photos from VW’s own photo team didn’t show the compact SUV in plug-in form, our own network of spy photographers have gone and snapped it themselves.
VW doesn’t deny that there’ll be a PHEV in the third-generation Tiguan lineup and confirms that the European version will be able to travel up to 62 miles (100 km) on electric power. That’s a big increase on the 30 miles (50 km) today’s plug-in Tiguan delivers, and is mostly achieved by up-sizing the battery from 10.4 kWh to 18.5 kWh.
It’s not only the battery that’s new, however. The Tiguan moves to the more modern MQB Evo platform already used by the VW Golf and will take on both of the VW Groups’ latest 1.5-liter plug-in hybrid drivetrains that can handle DC rapid charging. The base version serves up 201 hp (204 PS / 150 kW) and drives the front wheels only, while the more powerful version generates 268 hp (272 PS / 200 kW) and dishes out the grunt to all four wheels.
Related: Here’s Everything We Know About The 2024 VW Tiguan
Beyond some ‘e’ badging and a charging port on the left-hand fender, as seen on this prototype, there won’t be many visual differences between the PHEV models and the plain 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter petrol and 2.0-liter diesel versions VW will continue to offer. And the same goes for the interior, where the firm has promised a big jump in quality compared with today’s SUV, whose lower plastics feel really cheap.
There’s also a large new 15.0-inch touchscreen display pinched from the electric ID.7 sedan (basic cars get a still generous 12.7 inches), a Driving Experience Control dial in the console taking up the space left by the mandatory dual-clutch transmission’s shifter being relocated to the steering column. Having realized its mistake with the Golf Mk8 and its terrible touch-sensitive steering wheel buttons, VW sticks with old-fashioned physical buttons for the Tiguan but does get more techy under the SUV’s skin, where VW’s new DCC Pro adaptive damper setup will be available.
All of this applies to the European-spec five-seat Tiguan shown in both these pictures and VW’s official spy shots. But presuming America once again receives a longer version with space (just about) for seven, little is likely to change from the Euro model beyond the length and lack of a diesel option. North America has missed out on the PHEV powertrain option that’s been available in Europe since 2020, so a plug-in option could really help it take the fight to the massively popular Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.
