India-bound 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan facelift: What to expect?
The 5-seater Tiguan is all set to return to Volkswagen’s SUV line-up for this year. The India-spec model will mirror the Tiguan facelift that was unveiled globally in July last year
By autoX Editorial
The 5-seater Tiguan is all set to return to Volkswagen’s SUV line-up for this year. The India-spec model will mirror the Tiguan facelift that was unveiled globally in July last year.
Volkswagen has officially announced that they will have four SUVs on sale in India by the end of 2021. Amongst these is the updated Tiguan. Volkswagen first brought in the Tiguan in India in 2017 and it continued to be on sale until the BS6 norms came into effect last year in April. With the Volkswagen Group making a complete switch to petrol-powered cars, the Tiguan was pulled off the shelf in 2020. Later in the year, the German carmaker pulled the wraps off the Tiguan face-lift and VW has now confirmed that the car will make its way to India later in 2021. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2021 Tiguan facelift.
Design
Just like in the international model, changes to the India-spec Tiguan are likely to be focused at the front. If spy shots surfacing on the internet are anything to go by, the Tiguan face-lift will sport a new and bolder grille design, with sleeker LED headlights. The DRLs will be identical to the ones on the international model as well. Volkswagen has also reworked the design of the front bumper to give it a more aggressive stance. Changes to the side profile are likely to be limited only to a new set of alloy wheels. Expect some subtle changes to the rear as well. Mirroring the international-spec model, the Tiguan lettering will now be positioned at the centre of the tailgate.
Interior and Features
Expect the overall layout of the dashboard to remain largely unchanged with the exception of a few elements. At 10.25-inch, the central touchscreen display screen is expected to be larger and will pack connected tech as well. The old rotary knobs for the air-con controls are likely to be replaced by a touchpad just like the international-spec model. While in the international market, only the Tiguan R-Line comes with the all-digital instrument cluster, it remains to be seen if Volkswagen will plonk it in top-end variants of the India-spec model. Other highlight features may include a newly designed steering wheel, three-zone climate control, a sunroof and more.
Engine
In line with Volkswagen Group’s no-diesel strategy, the VW Tiguan will only come with a petrol motor – or more specifically a 2.0-litre TSI unit. This is the same unit that also does duty in other VW Group cars like the Skoda Superb. In the Tiguan too it will produce 188bhp and 320Nm. The engine will continue to be paired with a 7-speed DSG. Just like before, the Tiguan may continue to be offered with an all-wheel-drive system.
Price
The Tiguan will sit right in the middle of Volkswagen’s SUV line-up – between the T-Roc and the Tiguan AllSpace. With the Tiguan being assembled locally, expect it to be priced competitively, somewhere in the Rs 25-30 lakh range. It will compete against the likes of the Hyundai Tucson and the updated 2021 Jeep Compass.
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