10 Unexpected Features That Make The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Stand Apart

The all-new 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan transforms what you should expect from a compact SUV. This reimagined third-generation model brings exceptional design, technology, and performance elements that create a driving experience well beyond conventional standards. Completely redesigned on the MQB evo platform, the 2025 Tiguan challenges preconceptions about what's possible in its category.

With thoughtful engineering and attention to detail, this compact SUV offers premium features without the premium price tag. From its bold exterior lines to its refined interior comfort, every aspect of the 2025 Tiguan showcases Volkswagen's commitment to exceeding expectations. Let's explore ten ways this vehicle defies ordinary standards.

1. Personalized Atmosphere Systems

The 2025 Tiguan introduces 'Atmospheres'—a feature that synchronizes ambient lighting with audio settings to create a customized cabin experience. With up to 30 ambient lighting colors available (depending on trim) and five preset atmosphere options plus customizable selections, you control the mood of your drive.

This harmonious blend of sight and sound lets you tailor the vehicle's environment to match your preferences, creating an immersive driving experience typically reserved for luxury brands. Whether you prefer energizing morning commutes or relaxing evening drives, the Tiguan adapts to your mood with a simple adjustment.

2. Premium Materials Throughout The Cabin

Step inside to find genuine American walnut open pore wood décor, a wrapped and double-stitched centre console, and available upgraded Savona leather interiors. These premium materials deliver an upscale feel and visual appeal that surpasses the expectations for a vehicle in this class.

The quality of these materials doesn't just enhance aesthetics—it improves durability and your daily driving experience. The attention to tactile surfaces means every touch point feels substantial and carefully considered, from the cloth seats with embossed design on base models to the quilted leather surfaces on higher trims.

3. Expansive Infotainment Displays

The technology in the 2025 Tiguan rivals vehicles at much higher price points. A standard 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system pairs with a 12.9-inch central infotainment display, while an available 15-inch infotainment screen option provides an even more immersive interface.

This expansive digital real estate gives you clear access to navigation, vehicle information, entertainment, and connectivity features without crowding or confusion. The intuitive MIB4 system supports wireless smartphone integration, keeping you connected without the clutter of cables.

4. Performance-Focused Weight Reduction

Volkswagen engineers achieved a substantial 77-kilogram weight reduction while simultaneously adding features and capabilities. This approach—typically found in performance vehicles—enhances both fuel efficiency and driving dynamics.

The strategic use of aluminum in the suspension components and high-strength hot-formed steel in the body structure demonstrates Volkswagen's focus on smart engineering rather than simple horsepower increases. The revised 2.0-litre turbocharged engine now delivers 201 horsepower (up from 184 hp) and, combined with the lighter weight, provides more responsive acceleration and handling.

5. Space-Creating Steering Column Shifter

The Tiguan takes an unexpected design approach by moving the gear selector to the steering column, freeing up valuable space in the centre console. This practical innovation creates additional storage opportunities where you need them most—within easy reach during your daily drives.

This thoughtful redesign shows Volkswagen's commitment to real-world usability rather than following conventional layouts. The increased storage capacity helps you keep your cabin organized and essentials accessible, enhancing your overall driving experience.

6. Luxury-Level Comfort Features

Available 12-way power front seats with quilted surfaces offer a 10-point, full-back massage function and ventilation—comfort features typically reserved for luxury vehicles. These seats provide exceptional support during long drives and add a touch of indulgence to your daily commute.

Heated rear outboard seats and three-zone Climatronic further enhance passenger comfort throughout the cabin. The attention to rear-seat amenities ensures everyone enjoys premium comfort, regardless of seating position—an uncommon consideration in compact SUVs.

7. Comprehensive Standard Safety Suite

Unlike many competitors that reserve advanced safety features for top trim levels, the 2025 Tiguan includes Volkswagen's complete IQ.DRIVE Level 2 driver assistance package as standard equipment across all trims.

This comprehensive suite includes Travel Assist, Front Assist with Pedestrian Monitoring, Active Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Assist, and Emergency Assist. Additionally, Light Assist, Park Distance Control, and Exit Warning now come standard, with Park Assist Plus available on higher trims. The 2025 Tiguan also introduces four new airbags—driver knee, center, and rear side airbags—bringing the total to ten.

8. Performance-Enhancing Aerodynamics

The 2025 Tiguan features integrated aerodynamic elements that improve both efficiency and stability. The extended roofline with spoiler and side flow elements in the D-pillar demonstrate attention to performance details typically found in sportier vehicles.

These design choices reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency while enhancing stability at highway speeds. The curved undercut above the front fenders creates a powerful shoulder line that's both visually striking and functionally beneficial.

9. Balanced Digital And Physical Controls

The Tiguan offers a refreshing balance between digital interfaces and physical controls. The central infotainment system includes a rotary dial control in the centre console for easy adjustment of volume and drive modes, providing intuitive tactile feedback without hunting through touch menus.

This thoughtful integration acknowledges that some functions benefit from physical controls while others work better with digital interfaces. The result is a user experience that feels natural and requires less visual attention away from the road compared to purely touchscreen systems.

10. North American-Optimized Interior Design

For its third generation, the Tiguan is offered exclusively in a two-row configuration for North America, optimizing the interior space for regional preferences. This market-specific approach creates a more spacious feeling cabin with generous cargo capacity rather than forcing a global one-size-fits-all design.

The result is a vehicle perfectly sized for North American roads and lifestyles, with dimensions and proportions that balance maneuverability, passenger comfort, and cargo capacity without compromise.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan redefines what you should expect from a compact SUV by introducing features, materials, and technologies that transcend category norms. From its striking exterior design to its thoughtfully crafted interior, this vehicle delivers an exceptional driving experience without an exceptional price tag. Take the driver's seat at Journey Volkswagen of Coquitlam and experience for yourself how the 2025 Tiguan transforms ordinary drives into something remarkable.