Volkswagen Debuts Capabilities of MQB Evo Platform in All-New Tiguan
What happens when you take Volkswagen's bestselling model since 2018 and take its cutting-edge platform to the next level?
An all-new, third-generation compact SUV with plenty of room to pack in all the latest, most-exciting tech that irreplicable German engineering has to offer.
You've been waiting, and that wait -- it'll soon be over. The newly designed Volkswagen Tiguan is coming soon, and if its world-premiere unveiling September 19 to 10,000 VW employees in its Wolfsburg seat tells us anything, it's that its Modular Transverse Matrix platform is going to deliver one of the most advanced Volkswagen SUVs yet.
What is MQB Evo? 5 Takeaways for Tiguan Enthusiasts
The striking new aggressive front end -- complete with bumper-side radiator grilles and air curtains -- is pure eye-candy. And it's just the beginning.
The Modular Transverse Matrix platform platform (i.e., Modular Transverse Toolkit, or MQB Evo, for short) makes it all possible. You can find it in most models, from small VW cars to the brand's largest SUV, Atlas, showcasing its biggest benefit -- the massive space saved in production. That means big-time improvements under the proverbial hood.
Chief among them:
Powertrains that go the distance.
Engine options will range from turbocharged gas (TSI) and turbo-diesel (TDI) to turbo mild hybrid (eTSI) and plug-in hybrid (eHybrid), all paired with smooth-shifting DSG automatic transmissions. Put simply, Tiguan's going to appeal to fans, the curious, efficiency buffs, and the EV-adjacent crowd alike.
Serious hybrid all-electric range, with perks.
Speaking of electric vehicles -- outside of the mileage got burning gas, select Tiguan models will be able to get around 100 km (a whopping 62 miles!) running on the battery alone. Now, consider that eHybrid variants will have much faster AC charging. Consider that DC fast-charging's also going to be standard -- a first-ever. What more could make you want to drive a Tiguan?
One of the most enjoyable road feels ever.
The SUV's going to have the option of an adaptive chassis control, called DCC Pro. It'll give a balance of comfort and driving dynamics not seen -- or felt -- anywhere else.
The keys: two-valve shock absorbers and a Vehicle Dynamics Manager (to control the XDS --electronic differential locks). Altogether, they'll make handling not only agile but more stable and precise, especially when cornering. New ergoActive Plus seats with four-way lumbar support and a massage function -- they're the perfect finishing touches.
One of the safest rides, too.
Tiguan is loaded with systems to help with everything from changing and staying in lanes and braking to keeping an eye on your surroundings, including on important road signs. And those are just standards. Options abound, too: a Park Assist Pro, for instance, that can automatically sidle into a space with input from a smartphone app -- you can do it from outside the SUV -- plus a Trailer Assist to make towing a lit easier. There will even be flat IQ.LIGHT HD matrix headlights replete with 19,200 multipixel LEDs per light for the best visibility in dim conditions yet.
Connectivity to push Digital-Age limits.
On the one hand, there will be a new Digital Cockpit with an up-to-15-inch infotainment screen sporting an intuitive new menu, plus the latest head-up display. There will even be a new IDA voice assistant with natural language capabilities, making using all sorts of vehicle and infotainment features a lot easier.
Perhaps the piece de resistance, however: the multifunction rotary driving experience switch. It'll have an integrated OLED display, and together they'll make controlling everything from the driving profile to audio and even background lighting a matter of course.
What's Next for Your Tiguan: Trade Up?
The new model's slated for release sometime in early 2024. Until then, we wait. If you're considering a trade-in for one when it finally does come out, though, it'll be a good idea to get all the resale value you can get between now and then. So, what are the best ways to get it?
Take care of any outstanding repairs.
That means keeping an eye out for any problems Tiguan can commonly have -- cleaning out the intake manifold of carbon, for instance, along with the intake ports on the cylinder head, and the intake valves. (It'll help the engine run better.) It also means, say, replacing any faulty bolts and spacers in the subframe if you're hearing any clunking, and swapping out the N80 valve, for another example, if, say, you're hearing popping when starting and stopping. Fixes can go a long way toward getting more back at the dealership.
Customize, but smartly.
Want to add loads of value, but for less? Make your Tiguan as exciting for used car buyers as it was for you: avoid the flashy stuff and put in the useful.
That means, say, new seats, seat covers, and a steering wheel cover for a combination of protection and stylish looks. You can even upgrade the electronics for better connectivity and entertainment -- the infotainment and audio systems, for instance. And there's always a new set of wheels to add durability.
Of course, you don't even have to stop there; with an SUV like VW Tiguan, you can go any direction. Which way will you take yours?