2027 Volkswagen ID. Tiguan review: Prototype drive

The Volkswagen ID.4 is getting a comprehensive update and a new name in the process, ID. Tiguan. Ahead of the car’s world premiere, we got behind the wheel of a lightly disguised pre-production model to see what buyers can expect when the upgraded mid-size electric SUV arrives in 2027.

Volkswagen is keen to point out that this is more than just a model update or facelift. And one thing the thin disguise of the prototype can’t hide is that all of the ID. Tiguan’s sheet metal is new, with the car losing some of the ID.4’s curvaceous shape in favour of a more SUV-like shape.

There’s a bluffer profile to the front-end and what appears to be full-width lighting like what we’ve already seen on the smaller VW ID. Polo hatchback – another new EV that’s been given an existing model name in place of an alphanumeric approach.

Other design features of the 2027 Volkswagen ID. Tiguan include the use of more conventional pull-type door handles and the fitment of aerodynamically optimised alloy wheels to boost range – up to 21-inch in diameter.

Many of the technical details of the ID. Tiguan have yet to be announced, but it has been confirmed that it will feature more affordable and durable LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate) battery technology, though larger batteries may still use NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) chemistry.

As with the ID.4 it replaces, the ID. Tiguan will be rear-wheel drive at base level, with the option of a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup for top-spec versions. But while the name may be changing, the ID. Tiguan will continue to be a rival for other mid-size electric SUVs such as the related Skoda Enyaq, as well as the Renault Scenic, Kia EV5 and Tesla Model Y.

How much does the Volkswagen ID. Tiguan cost?

There is no official pricing or even a launch date set for the Volkswagen ID. Tiguan in Australia, but we would expect it will follow a similar price and grade structure to the outgoing ID.4 range, which currently starts at $59,990 and goes up to $69,990 for the GTX flagship – all prices exclude on-road costs.

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What is the Volkswagen ID. Tiguan like on the inside?

We’ll have to wait until the car is fully revealed at its world premiere to talk about what it’s like on the inside.

However, our first drive did let us experience a cabin that is every bit as spacious as the outgoing ID.4’s and, if the ID. Polo and ID.3 Neo are anything to go by, Volkswagen’s return to more physical switchgear and buttons will be welcome.

The ID. Tiguan will, of course, retain its remit as an SUV to appeal to families, so expect decent amounts of rear passenger space and the ability to accommodate multiple child seats while also offering a useful level of cargo volume.

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What’s under the bonnet?

The full technical details of the electric powertrains will be revealed when the car makes its world debut in early October.

As it’s built on the updated MEB+ platform, it will largely stick to the formula applied to the ID.4 with some technical advancements – most likely meaning two battery options and both rear- and all-wheel drive layouts.

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How does the Volkswagen ID. Tiguan drive?

Although we only had a very brief spell behind the wheel of the ID. Tiguan prototype, there were some things that stood out, such as the smooth and linear power delivery and predictable handling.

The latter is something of a hallmark of Volkswagen cars, but while the German brand likes to be the safe option, this electric SUV could be more engaging to drive.

There are different driving modes to choose from, but these tend to alter the power delivery above all else, and while it’s more than quick enough for everyday life, the ID. Tiguan isn’t quite a thriller to drive. Nevertheless, it can make progress when needed, and the suspension does a reasonable job at soaking up surface imperfections.

Our car was running 21-inch wheels that didn’t detract from the overall ride comfort, nor was there any notable level of road noise coming into the cabin. The ID. Tiguan feels planted and surefooted on the move, and anything that the suspension does have to soak up is also met with good levels of damping.

The car’s energy recuperation works well, especially in the way it detects vehicles ahead as you approach them and automatically harvests energy back into the battery to start slowing the car down before the driver needs to press the brake pedal. When you do, it has a progressive and predictable feel.

We didn’t have an opportunity to see how the ID. Tiguan drove on the highway, so we can only speculate as to how quiet the cabin stays as the speed increases. Similarly, the drive was too short to get an idea about how economical it is with its energy, but modest improvements over the ID.4 should be possible thanks to advances in motor and battery management software.

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What do you get?

Volkswagen will offer the ID. Tiguan across several specification grades, and these are all likely to mimic what is already available in the ID.4’s range.

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Is the Volkswagen ID. Tiguan safe?

As the ID. Tiguan is an evolution of the ID.4 – which wears five-star ANCAP and Euro NCAP safety ratings – we have no major concerns with the safety of this new model.

In addition to the hardware design, it comes equipped with a wide suite of safety systems designed to help drivers.

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How much does the Volkswagen ID. Tiguan cost to run?

The ID. Tiguan is expected to be covered by the same warranty and similar servicing costs as the current ID.4.

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CarExpert’s Take on the Volkswagen ID. Tiguan

The changes made to the ID.4 to create the new ID. Tiguan appear to have a greater impact on the design and exterior styling of the car than its performance.

Behind the wheel there’s a refined and generally quite polished feel to the way it drives and how all of its systems work.

But this is no complete reinvention of the car.

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MORE: Explore the Volkswagen ID.4 showroom
MORE: Explore the Volkswagen Tiguan showroom