5-Seater Volkswagen Tiguan Is Back With A Facelift

• Facelifted VW Tiguan to launch by May, 2021.
• Gets sharper LED headlamps, a revised bumper, and new alloy wheels.
• Now features a digital driver’s display and Matrix LED headlamps.
• Will be provided with a 190PS 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine.
• To be priced from around Rs 28 lakh.

After almost a year’s hiatus, the Volkswagen Tiguan 5-seater is back here in India in a facelifted avatar. This is the fourth surprise SUV VW Brand Director Ashish Gupta spoke about in our ‘Meet The Leader’ series. Set to be launched by May, the facelifted Tiguan will lock horns with the Jeep Compass and Citroen C5 Aircross. It will be sold alongside the larger 7-seater SUV, the Tiguan Allspace. 

Here are five things you must know about the 5-seater Tiguan:

Looks Sharper Now

The familiar slatted grille is now flanked by (more) angular matrix LED headlamps. Complementing its sporty stance is the new front bumper with sharp creases and cuts. Save for the new 18-inch Frankfurt alloy wheels, the side profile has remained unchanged. At the back, there are restyled elements in the tail lamps and a new bumper with faux exhausts, which we feel come as a breath of fresh air.   

Got Minor But Welcome Interior Updates

On the inside, the basic dashboard layout remains similar to that of the pre-facelift model. However, VW has spruced up the cabin with a new digital driver’s display, a redesigned steering wheel, and touch-based air-con controls. Also, the facelift comes with 30-colour ambient lighting (instead of just the one white in the pre-facelift model).

Any New Feature?

We expect the carmaker to bundle up new features like connected car tech, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless phone charger. Also, it should retain features like the tri-zone climate control, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, panoramic sunroof, powered front seats, cruise control, and powered tailgate. 

Passenger safety will be taken care of by six airbags, ABS with EBD, front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, tyre pressure monitoring, and electronic stability control. 

TDI Swapped With TSI 

That’s right. Considering VW’s shift to a petrol-only route in India, the facelifted Tiguan will only be provided with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine pushing out 190PS and 320Nm. It will drive all four wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. 

What Will It Cost And Whom Will It Rival? 

Unlike the 7-seater Allspace that’s a full import vehicle, the 5-seater Tiguan will be assembled in India. We expect prices to range between Rs 28 lakh and Rs 30 lakh (ex-showroom), which should put it at par with the Jeep Compass and Citroen C5 Aircross. While it is likely to be more expensive than the petrol-powered Compass, the Tiguan does pack more power and an all-wheel-drive system.