The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan 4motion 2.0L 4-cyl gets a combined fuel economy rating of 25 MPG. This places it in the middle of the compact SUV class, probably acceptable, though not particularly exciting, to its target demographic: small families and urban drivers who want space, practicality, and all-weather traction more than maximum efficiency. The Tiguan’s comfortable ride, interior room, and available all-wheel drive often matter more than saving every last mile per gallon.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the Tiguan 4motion gets 22 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway. The lower city rating reflects stop-and-go driving and the energy needed to repeatedly accelerate the Tiguan’s nearly 3,800-pound weight from a stop. The highway number is better, but not amazing. The 2.0L turbocharged engine works fairly hard to maintain highway speeds, especially when full with passengers and cargo, which affects fuel consumption. All-wheel drive improves traction and stability, but adds weight and drivetrain losses, resulting in a slight decrease in fuel efficiency.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan 4motion will be $1,750. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using national average fuel prices. This is just an estimate. Your fuel costs can change based on driving habits, local fuel prices, and the type of fuel used. The Tiguan doesn’t need premium fuel, and using it won’t improve fuel economy enough to justify the extra cost.

Real-world expectations

The EPA provides a standard, but actual fuel economy often varies. Tiguan drivers can expect to see numbers within a few MPG of the EPA estimates if they avoid aggressive driving and maintain their vehicle. Short trips, heavy acceleration, and long idling can reduce fuel economy. Wind and elevation also matter, so drivers in hilly or windy areas might see numbers closer to the 22 MPG city rating even on the highway. Extra weight also has a small negative effect, but driving style matters more. Looking at TIGUAN MPG across all years can help buyers understand the range of fuel economy in different model years and driving conditions.

How it compares

The Tiguan 4motion’s fuel economy is competitive, but not class-leading. The Toyota RAV4 AWD, for example, gets an EPA-estimated 30 MPG combined, making it more efficient. Even the RAV4 TRD Off-Road gets 28 MPG combined. The Honda CR-V AWD achieves 29 MPG combined. The Subaru Forester delivers around 28 MPG combined. These differences add up over the life of the vehicle, affecting long-term ownership costs. A buyer on a budget may find these MPG differences matter. But someone who likes the Tiguan’s interior space and German engineering might see a few less MPGs as worth it. See all Volkswagen fuel economy data to compare the Tiguan against other Volkswagen models.

Tips to maximize efficiency

The Tiguan’s turbocharged engine responds well to gentle acceleration. Avoid quick starts and watch traffic to minimize hard braking. Accelerate slowly and drive at consistent speeds to save fuel, particularly in the city where frequent stops can quickly lower MPG.

Regular maintenance is important. Make sure your tires are inflated to the recommended pressure on the driver’s side door. Low tire pressure increases rolling resistance, making the engine work harder and use more fuel. Keep up with oil changes and air filter replacements to maintain engine performance.

Remove extra weight. Extra weight adds load to the engine, requiring it to burn more fuel to maintain speed. A clean cargo area improves fuel economy and the driving experience.

Use cruise control on the highway when appropriate, but watch out for hills. The Tiguan’s transmission might downshift often to maintain speed, reducing some of the efficiency gains. In these cases, manually controlling the throttle might save more fuel.