Overview

What's New for 2013:

• Standard leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel
• Standard leather-wrapped shift knob
• Standard Hill-hold control and electronic parking brake
• SE trim gains power-reclining front passenger's seat
• SEL trim adds power front-passenger's seat
• Standard reversing camera on SEL

Exterior Features
The 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan is a 5-passenger crossover SUV sold in S, SE and SEL trim levels. Standard on the Tiguan S are heated power side mirrors, integrated turn signal indicators, and 16-inch steel wheels with plastic wheel covers.

Interior Features
Every 2013 Tiguan includes air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming, and an 8-speaker stereo with an auxiliary audio input jack. Additional standard features include 8-way manually adjustable front seats, fold-flat front passenger's seat, trip computer, outside temperature display, floor mats, leather-wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, and aluminum interior trim.

Optional Features
The Tiguan S is available with 16-inch aluminum wheels, dark-tinted rear privacy glass, and a panoramic sunroof.

The Tiguan SE trim adds 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, heated washer nozzles, leatherette seats, heated front seats, touch-screen HD radio with satellite radio, and an iPod connection. Optional are a panoramic sunroof and a navigation system.

The Tiguan SEL includes 19-inch aluminum wheels, sport suspension, rain-sensing wipers, LED running lights, bi-xenon headlights with an Adaptive Front Lighting System, reversing camera, and a panoramic sunroof. Inside, the SEL adds leather seats, 12-way power driver's seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, push-button ignition, and a navigation system. A premium hard-drive navigation system is optional, along with a 300-watt Dynaudio premium sound system and Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel drive (AWD).

Under the Hood
Every 2013 Tiguan is equipped with a direct-injection, turbocharged, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine creating 200 horsepower and 207 lb.-ft. of torque, available at 1,700 rpm. A 6-speed manual gearbox is standard on the Tiguan S; other trims have a 6-speed automatic transmission. The only way to get all-wheel drive is to buy the most expensive version of the SEL trim, which includes 4Motion AWD.

Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 2013 VW Tiguan are:

• Tiguan with manual transmission: 18/26/21 mpg (city/highway/combined)
• Tiguan with automatic transmission: 21/26/23 mpg
• Tiguan with 4Motion AWD: 20/26/23 mpg

Safety
The 2013 Tiguan is equipped with 6 air bags, traction control, stability control with trailer sway control, 4-wheel-disc anti-lock brakes with a brake disc wiping feature, brake assist, and hill-hold control. Safety options include rain-sensing wipers, reversing camera, and bi-xenon headlights with an Adaptive Front Lighting System.

As this overview was written, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had performed crash tests on the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan. However, the structurally identical 2012 model was named a "Top Safety Pick" by the Institute.