About this episode
The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SE 4-motion is under the spotlight as the hosts discuss its redesign and competitive positioning in the compact SUV market. With a 201-horsepower turbocharged engine and a price point of around $36,825, the Tiguan aims to regain Volkswagen's reputation for quality. The hosts appreciate the return of physical buttons and overall build quality, while noting some transmission hiccups. They debate its reliability compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, ultimately expressing a preference for the Tiguan's European feel, despite concerns over long-term reliability.
Our experts share their first impressions of the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan. We break down Volkswagen's latest improvements, explore how the Tiguan stacks up in the crowded compact SUV segment, and explain why its redesign gives it a more refined, "grown-up" feel. Plus, we answer your questions about airbag deployment and recommend the best vehicle for a tall, traveling hockey family.
Test results here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Exclusive CR discount for Talking Cars viewers: https://www.cr.org/jointalkingcars?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
SHOW NOTES:
0:00: Intro
0:24: 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Overview
2:15: First Impressions
9:28: Volkswagen reliability
12:12: Pricing and competing vehicles
14:51: Question #1: Do airbags deploy if a driver is pressing the horn?
19:51: Question #2: What's the best vehicle for a growing family of six?
Volkswagen Tiguan
"...'m Ryan Pilikowski. And we're going to be talking Tiguan today, specifically the Volkswagen Tiguan, as if ..."
Mazda Cx50
"So we've got, I mean, these are all the heavy hitters that are making money and selling the cars that you'll see in any parking lot. Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Mazda CX-50, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4. These are kind of, this is the bread and butter. And it's where Volkswagen really needs a car that's going to help themselves."
Nissan Rogue
"...on, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Mazda CX-50, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4. These are kind of,..."
Kia Sportage
"... any parking lot. Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Mazda CX-50, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Fo..."
Honda Crv
"So we've got, I mean, these are all the heavy hitters that are making money and selling the cars that you'll see in any parking lot. Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Mazda CX-50, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4. These are kind of, this is the bread and butter. And it's where Volkswagen really needs a car that's going to help themselves."
Toyota RAV4
"...azda CX-50, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4. These are kind of, this is the bread and butter...."
Volkswagen Passat
"...e early 2000s, you know, you had your Jeddas, the Passats, and they were, you know, very well built Volkswa..."
Volkswagen Gti
"...ly missed an OAR concert because my best friend's GTI, the coil pack went on it. And we had to wait to ..."
Volkswagen Jetta
"...rand new cars, but the people who did get them, a Jetta was a sensible choice. But now the, you know, the..."
Tucson Hybrid
"...now, the hybrid makes the better car. The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is like one of my, I mean, it gets incredible fue..."
Forester Hybrid
"with the Toyota hybrid powertrain. There's a new Forester hybrid that I saw just parked out there that we're testi..."
Ford Expedition
"Yeah. And I personally, I like the Expedition. Folks I know have the GM version of the,"
Chevrolet Suburban
"...ve the GM version of the, you know, they have the Suburban, the Tahoe. That kind of full-size SUV"
Chevrolet Tahoe
"...ion of the, you know, they have the Suburban, the Tahoe. That kind of full-size SUV"
Hyundai Palisade
"even with a minivan, even with something like the Palisade or the Telluride,"
Toyota Grand Highlander
"body-on-frame SUVs, right? Something like the Grand Highlander. Oh."
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