2024 Volkswagen Tiguan: first details revealed

The third-generation Volkswagen Tiguan will reach Australian in late 2024 with a high-tech cabin, more boot space, and new optional suspension and headlight technology.

VW has released its first official images of the new medium-size SUV, albeit in camouflage, along with initial details ahead of a European-autumn reveal.

Germany’s rival to the likes of the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4 – and VW’s biggest-selling vehicle globally – will increase in length by about three centimetres to about 4.54 metres, with virtually unchanged width, height and wheelbase to the outgoing Tiguan.

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Boot space increases by 33 litres to 648L, while there are significant changes to the main cabin.

A large, tablet-style infotainment touchscreen up to 15 inches in diameter (as pictured in the official spy images) dominates the dash. Lower-spec models will feature a 12-inch display.

Pictures show the climate-control bar running across the bottom of the display – a move that addresses criticisms of some current VW models that require a dash button to be pressed before any adjustments can be made. The bar is also reported backlit at night for another welcome improvement.

Similarly, VW has dispensed with its annoying haptic steering wheel touch buttons, replacing them with more conventionally tactile switches.

A (10.25-inch) digital driver display is nothing new for the Tiguan, but the current model’s traditional gearlever makes way for a transmission stalk in the 2024 replacement. Borrowed from VW’s ID electric cars, the stalk is pushed forward to engage Drive (and a second time for Sport model) and pulled backwards to engage Reverse. Paddleshift levers are also included.

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The cleaner centre console brings increased storage space, and a rotary controller with its own integrated mini screen. The controller can change drive modes, audio volume, and ambient lighting.

“Optional” ErgoActive front seats will offer four-way lumbar support, heating, ventilation, and 10-chambre pressure point massage function.

Two new technologies are also referenced as optional features are HD matrix headlights and new active suspension control.

The matrix headlights, which debuted on the updated Touareg large SUV, feature more than 38,000 micro-LEDs.

DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control) Pro features twin-valve dampers that VW claims benefits both ride comfort and handling. The suspension ties in with a Vehicle Dynamics Manager that comes across from the Golf GTI hot-hatch and said to deliver neutral dynamics through automatic brake interventions and damper control inputs to specific wheels.

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Petrol and diesel four-cylinder engines continue as drivetrain options, along with mild-hybrid turbo petrol and petrol plug-in hybrid (PHEV) options that haven’t previously been offered in Australia.

VW says its improved PHEV drivetrains now boast a pure electric driving range of up to 100km.

While VW Australia has confirmed a late-2024 arrival for the next Tiguan, details of powertrains and other specifications are unlikely to be confirmed until sometime next year.

The seven-seater Tiguan Allspace is set to be replaced by a model called the Tayron.

The future of the sporty Tiguan R looks uncertain with VW making no references to a replacement at this stage.

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