26 MPG combined won’t make the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan a fuel efficiency leader, but it’s a perfectly acceptable number for a spacious, comfortable, and practical compact SUV often purchased by young families. These buyers want cargo capacity and rear-seat room more than fuel savings, accepting the Tiguan’s average economy as the price for its large space and user-friendly driving experience. They aren’t looking for a hybrid or a sports SUV; they need something that can handle school runs, soccer practice, and weekend road trips without costing too much or needing constant fill-ups.

City and highway performance

The Tiguan’s EPA estimates are 23 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway. The city figure reflects stop-and-go-traffic, where the 2.0L turbocharged engine works harder and the eight-speed automatic shifts more to keep pace. Highway driving, with its consistent speeds, allows the engine to settle into a more efficient mode. Thirty MPG is good for a vehicle of this size and shape, showing that the Tiguan can perform well on longer trips without using excessive gas. Remember that headwinds, hills, or a loaded vehicle affect the real-world highway MPG.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan is $1,700. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using national average fuel prices. Of course, your actual fuel cost will depend on your driving, city versus highway driving, and fuel prices in your area. Consider $1,700 a reasonable number, but be ready for changes based on your situation.

Real-world expectations

EPA estimates are a good starting point, but real-world fuel economy often varies. Tiguan owners often report MPG numbers that are a little below the EPA estimates, especially in combined or city driving. Driving style, traffic, and even tire pressure can change the MPG you achieve. Hard acceleration and braking will hurt fuel economy, as will driving in heavy traffic. Still, steady highway speeds and proper tire inflation can help you get closer to the EPA’s 30 MPG highway estimate. If data is important, research TIGUAN MPG across all years to understand different model year performance.

How it compares

The Tiguan’s fuel economy is average for the compact SUV class. The Toyota RAV4, especially the hybrid, gets better fuel economy, with the RAV4 Hybrid LE at 40 MPG combined. The Honda CR-V also does better than the Tiguan, offering up to 30 MPG combined in its non-hybrid version. The Mazda CX-5 gets about 26 MPG combined, like the Tiguan. The Subaru Forester usually gets around 29 MPG combined. For some buyers, the Toyota or Honda are better choices. However, the Tiguan offers better passenger space, 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row seats. Check all Volkswagen fuel economy data for a better understanding of the brand’s efficiency.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Accelerate gently. The Tiguan’s turbocharged engine has plenty of low-end power, so you don’t need to push the gas pedal hard to get up to speed. Gentle acceleration reduces fuel use and gives smoother driving. Try to anticipate traffic flow when possible, avoid sudden braking, and maintain a steady speed.

Check your tire pressure often. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, making the engine work harder and reducing fuel economy. Check your tire pressure at least once a month and inflate them to the recommended level, which is on a sticker inside the driver’s side door or in the owner’s manual. Proper inflation also improves handling and extends tire life.

Avoid idling. If you’re stopped for more than a minute or two, turn off the engine. Modern engines restart quickly, and idling wastes fuel and emits pollutants. This is important in cities with stoplights and traffic jams. The Tiguan doesn’t have a stop/start system, so you can do this yourself.

Remove extra weight. Carrying weight in your vehicle reduces fuel economy. Remove items from the trunk or cargo area that you don’t need regularly. Every extra pound adds to the engine’s workload, impacting fuel efficiency. This includes sports equipment, tools, or extra clothes.

Use cruise control on the highway. Cruise control keeps a constant speed, which improves fuel economy compared to manually controlling the speed. It avoids unnecessary acceleration and deceleration, which wastes fuel. Watch traffic and turn off cruise control when you need to. Use cruise in the VW to hold a steady speed and increase efficiency.