DecodedCars2023 Volkswagen Tiguan
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2023 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV 4motion, 4dr SUV FWD
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 184 hp
- Transmission
- automatic
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 27 combined · 24 city / 31 hwy
- Length
- 185.8 in
- Curb weight
- 3,777–3,856 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 36 similar 2023 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan is a small SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 186 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 110-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,856 lb (4dr SUV 4motion).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 27 MPG combined (24 city / 31 highway), 1% worse than the 2023 small SUV average of 27.4 MPG, for an estimated $2,500 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned a 4-star overall rating.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 70 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2023
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 4 stars overall
Compared with 2022; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2022 Tiguan →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Puebla, Mexico
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2023 Tiguan configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 4motion | 185.8 in | 72 in | 66.5 in | 109.8 in | 62.6 / 61.8 in | 3,856 lb | 56/44 |
| 4dr SUV FWD | 185.8 in | 72 in | 66.5 in | 109.8 in | 62.6 / 61.8 in | 3,777 lb | 56/44 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiguan S | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 31 / 27 | -1% | $2,500 | 331 |
| Tiguan | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 30 / 26 | -5% | $2,600 | 343 |
| Tiguan 4motion | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 29 / 25 | 0% | $2,700 | 357 |
| Tiguan R-Line 4motion | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 24 | -4% | $2,800 | 369 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2023 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 15.5% |
| 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.9% |
Similar 2023 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan (this car) | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2023 Toyota RAV4 | 40 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime | 38 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2023 Honda CR-V | 40 MPG | ★★★★★ | 8 |
| 2023 Toyota 4Runner | 17 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2023 Hyundai Tucson | 38 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2023 Subaru Forester | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
Recalls (1)
Back Over Prevention › Software · Feb 12, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V082000 · 29,569 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Tiguan, 2023 Arteon, and 2024-2025 Audi Q3 vehicles. An error may occur in the camera control unit at vehicle startup, resulting in the rearview camera image not displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the camera control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed to Audi owners April 3, 2024, and Volkswagen owners November 18, 2025.Volkswagen owners will receive a second notice once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Volkswagen) 91NY and (Audi) 90AV.
Not every 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 25 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 13 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Power Train — 8 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 14,171 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Tiguan years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Tiguan | 29 | 184.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Tiguan | 29 | 184.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 37 |
| 2025 Tiguan | 29 | 184.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 56 |
| 2024 Tiguan | 27 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 76 |
| 2022 Tiguan | 26 | 185.8 in | Not rated | 5 | 273 |
| 2021 Tiguan | 25 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 144 |
| 2020 Tiguan | 25 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 141 |
| 2019 Tiguan | 25 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 195 |
| 2018 Tiguan | 24 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 14 | 294 |
| 2017 Tiguan | 22 | 174.4 in | Not rated | 4 | 76 |
| 2016 Tiguan | 23 | 174.4 in | Not rated | 2 | 97 |
| 2015 Tiguan | 23 | 174.4 in | Not rated | 4 | 62 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →