Volkswagen is expected to reveal its upcoming third-generation Tiguan medium SUV in 2023, with looks that take inspiration from the flagship Touareg and all-electric ID.4.
Our spy photographers captured this steel-wheeled Volkswagen Tiguan prototype during cold weather testing in Sweden.
This third-generation Tiguan has a more curvaceous profile than the existing model, with upper body sculpting that’s reminiscent of its larger siblings.
Volkswagen has gone to great lengths to make this prototype look like a current Tiguan with extensive use of white tape and black camouflaged sections.
This is most obvious on the grille, headlights, and tail lights. There are even fake quad exhaust pipes on the rear bumper that are made out of white tape.
It’s expected the new-generation Volkswagen Tiguan will migrate to the latest version of the VW Group’s MQB Evo platform, like the Golf Mk8 and Skoda Octavia.
Internal-combustion, mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains are expected to be offered, with the likelihood of a hot Tiguan R with running gear from the Golf R a near-certainty.
An all-electric version of the Tiguan is considered unlikely due to the existence of the similar-sized, EV-only ID.4 SUV.
While our spy photographers weren’t able to capture any interior images of this particular Tiguan prototype, they have previously snapped the inside of an earlier prototype.
Previously-spied Tiguan prototype
The most notable interior change is the large central touchscreen like a stuck-on tablet on the dashboard.
There are also volume and climate control sliders under the touchscreen that don’t appear to illuminate.
A similar infotainment setup is currently on the Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 electric SUVs, as well as the Cupra Leon and Formentor. It has also been previously spied on Golf and Passat prototypes.
At this stage we’re expecting the new-generation Tiguan to be unveiled in 2023 at one of the major European motor shows, with a market launch for 2024.
The current-generation model has been in production since 2016, with the typical vehicle life-cycle lasting seven-to-eight years.
Volkswagen is introducing a number of special edition Tiguan models, including the Tiguan Monochrome and Tiguan R Grid. This supplements the existing Tiguan Allspace Adventure special edition that has been on sale for two months.
As previously detailed, Volkswagen Australia is also planning to launch the related Volkswagen Tiguan eHybrid and Golf GTE PHEVs locally within 12-18 months.
These will follow the launch of the flagship Touareg R PHEV which is due in early 2023.
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