2022 Volkswagen Tiguan First Look: Look Who's Getting Sleeker

VW's global bestseller is getting nips, tucks, and fresh technology.

You might not guess it to look around on American roadways, but the Volkswagen Tiguan was the brand's global bestseller of 2019, with nearly a million units moved around the world. The U.S. snapped up 109,572 of them—an impressive 133 percent improvement over 2017. That was the year the current, stretched MQB variant launched in this country, and because its global short-wheelbase sibling launched in 2016, the refresh clock says the vehicle is due for a nip and tuck.

We're told to expect new front-end styling that includes reshaped hood sheetmetal. Product marketing boss Dr. Hendrik Muth describes the new look as "a little bit less horizontal, very sporty, and a bit more masculine in its stance." It will also feature 100 percent LED lighting—simple high-/low-beam LED headlights on base models and adaptive front lighting on top trims (alas, smart "matrix" lighting is not yet approved for the U.S. ). The rear is similarly updated, also with full LED lighting.

Inside the design will remain very similar, although the steering wheel will be upgraded to the latest, slightly thicker-rimmed MQB design that just arrived on the Atlas Cross Sport. More important, the infotainment and user-interface systems get updated to the MIB3 toolbox/platform. This means all Tiguans will be cloud-connected and will feature over-the-air updates and the ability to add or enhance features and services. Voice controls will be improved via the cloud connection. And just for fun, multicolor programmable ambient lighting is added.

Powertrain-wise, there's not much news coming for this side of the pond. Other markets will get a plug-in-hybrid model, and TDI variants will get a new Twin-Dosing diesel selective catalytic reduction emissions upgrade to improve both fuel economy and NOx emissions, but those features aren't coming here for reasons of cost and image. (The PHEV variant is being considered for the next-generation model, however.) Neither is there any plan to return a short-wheelbase variant to our shores, though a considerably smaller VW crossover/SUV like the recently teased South American Nivus or global T-Roc is under consideration for the U.S. market. We're also told that because the considerably sportier on-road look of the Tiguan makes it less suited to "Basecamp" off-road accessorizing, and that such treatments are more likely to be offered on the sub-Tiguan model.

Given the modest nature of this upgrade, we see no reason to expect a significant price increase over today's model, which starts at $25,965 for the base front-drive S trim and rises to $39,815 for a top SEL R-Line 4Motion model. Europe will get the revised Tiguan first starting this fall, with the U.S. following a year later as a 2022 model.