2026 · Compact SUV

Volkswagen Tiguan: stopping, space, visibility and safety, measured

VW’s two-row compact SUV: a 2.0-liter turbo four at 201 hp, or 268 hp in the SEL R-Line Turbo, always with an eight-speed automatic and here with 4Motion all-wheel drive.

Figures are for the Tiguan SE R-Line Black 4Motion (2 trims in the catalog, listed below). Last checked Oct 3, 2026.

Open the Tiguan in the 3D lab

Where it stands among compact SUVs

#1 of 17Large suitcases, packed: 6
#5 of 15Braking 70–0 mph, tested: 172 ft
#6 of 17Wet road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction: 357 ft
#6 of 17Road hidden in front of the bumper, 5 ft 9 in driver: 21 ft
#4 of 17Rear knee room, 5 ft 11 in behind 5 ft 11 in: +4.1 in
#4 of 13Fastest you can stop inside the low beams: 74 mph
#8 of 17Starting price, this trim: $40,220

Ranked against the default trim of every compact SUV in the catalog that has the figure.

At a glance

Starting price, this trim	$40,220PublishedJ.D. Power
Powertrain	2.0 L turbo four (EA888 evo5), direct injection, Miller cycle · 4Motion (on-demand rear coupling; the rear axle decouples when not needed)
0–60 mph, tested or claimed	8.5 sTestedCar and Driver
Braking 70–0 mph, tested	172 ft (52.4 m)TestedCar and Driver
EPA combined	25 mpg (9.4 L/100 km)PublishedEPA
Cargo behind the second row	33.8 cu ft (957 L)PublishedVW
Large suitcases, packed	6Simulated from VW
Seats	5Published
Crash ratings	NHTSA 5★ overall · IIHS crash tests G/P/G

Acceleration

Why some cars pin you to the seat and others just hum along.

Power	201 hp (150 kW)PublishedVW
Torque	221 lb-ft (300 Nm)PublishedVW
0–60 mph, tested or claimed	8.5 sTestedCar and Driver
0–60 mph, our simulation	8.4 sSimulated from Car and Driver
Passing, 50–70 mph	5.4 sTestedCar and Driver
Quarter mile	16.3 sTestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Shove

Braking and stopping distance

The distance between "I saw it" and "I stopped" decides everything.

Braking 70–0 mph, tested	172 ft (52.4 m)TestedCar and Driver
Braking 60–0 mph, tested	128 ft (39.0 m)TestedMotorTrend
Wet road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction	357 ft (108.9 m)Simulated from Car and Driver
Dry road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction	275 ft (83.7 m)Simulated from Car and Driver
Packed snow from 30 mph, 1 s reaction	166 ft (50.5 m)Simulated from Car and Driver

Watch it in The Stop

Rollover

Where the weight sits decides how easily a car falls over.

NHTSA rollover rating	4★ · 17.9% riskTestedNHTSA
Sideways slide that trips it into a roll	11 mph (18 km/h)Simulated, estimated inputs
Static stability factor (half-track ÷ CoG height)	1.20Simulated, estimated inputs

Watch it in The Tipping Point

Efficiency and running costs

At highway speed most of your energy is spent shoving air.

EPA combined	25 mpg (9.4 L/100 km)PublishedEPA
Fuel or charging, 15,000 mi a year	$2,687/yrDerivedEPA
Steady 75 mph, our simulation	32 mpg (7.4 L/100 km)Simulated from Car and Driver
Drag coefficient	0.31PublishedVW

Watch it in The Invisible Wall

Grip, snow and maneuvering

Four palm-sized patches of rubber. Every maneuver spends their grip.

Skidpad grip, tested	0.81 gTestedCar and Driver
Cornering grip, our simulation	0.81 gSimulated from Car and Driver
Pulling away on packed snow	0.26 gSimulated from Car and Driver
Turning circle	38.1 ft (11.6 m)PublishedVW
Ground clearance	7.0 in (18 cm)PublishedVW
Tires	Pirelli Scorpion Zero All Season 255/40R20 101H M+S · 255/40R20TestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Grip Budget

Space, luggage and fit

Will your knees, your luggage and your kids actually fit?

Seats	5Published
Large suitcases, packed	6Simulated from VW
Carry-ons in the space left	0Simulated from VW
Cargo behind the second row	33.8 cu ft (957 L)PublishedVW
Cargo, seats folded	69.8 cu ft (1,977 L)PublishedVW
Towing	1,800 lb (816 kg)PublishedVW
Driver head room, 6 ft 4 in driver	+0.3 in (1 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs
Driver head room, 5 ft 11 in driver	+2.7 in (7 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs
Driver head room, 5 ft 4 in driver	+5.8 in (15 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs
Rear head room, 5 ft 11 in passenger	+2.5 in (6 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs
Rear knee room, 5 ft 11 in behind 5 ft 11 in	+4.1 in (10 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs
Rear head and knee, 6 ft 4 in behind 6 ft 4 in	0.0 in head · −0.2 in kneeSimulated, estimated inputs
Front head room, published	38.2 in (97 cm)PublishedVW
Rear head room, published	38.4 in (98 cm)PublishedVW
Rear leg room, published	40.2 in (102 cm)PublishedVW

Watch it in Live In It

Cabin noise

How loud is it inside at 70 mph, and what exactly are you hearing?

Cabin sound at 70 mph	69 dBAEstimateCar and Driver

Watch it in The Quiet Test

Visibility

Every car hides some of the road. How much, and who could be standing in it?

Road hidden in front of the bumper, 5 ft 9 in driver	21 ft (6.3 m)Simulated
Ground visible within 33 ft ahead	40%Simulated

Watch it in Can You See Me?

Headlights and night stopping

IIHS measured how far these headlights reach. Can you stop inside that light?

IIHS headlight rating	AcceptableTestedIIHS
Low beams, straight road (right edge)	351 ft (107.1 m)TestedIIHS
Fastest you can stop inside the low beams	74 mph (118 km/h)Simulated from IIHS
High beams, straight road (right edge)	547 ft (166.8 m)TestedIIHS

Watch it in After Dark

Crash safety

Official crash ratings side by side, and the physics of what happens when two cars meet.

NHTSA overall	5★TestedNHTSA
IIHS small overlap front	GoodTestedIIHS
IIHS moderate overlap front (updated)	PoorTestedIIHS
IIHS side (updated)	GoodTestedIIHS
Curb weight	3,975 lb (1,803 kg)TestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Impact

Tiguan compared

Trims in the catalog

Tiguan SE R-Line Black 4Motion · from $40,220 · figures on this page
Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo · from $44,560

Other compact SUVs

Sources

Badges: Published figures come from the maker, a regulator or a rating agency; Tested from an independent instrumented test; Simulated are computed by our physics from those inputs (how); Estimate means no published value exists. Confirm figures with the maker or your dealer before you buy.