Volkswagen Unveils ID. Tiguan to Replace ID.4 With Software and Interior Upgrades
The new EV adds a frunk, physical buttons, and vehicle-to-load capability, with U.S. sales expected after the European launch in early 2027.
Volkswagen has unveiled the ID. Tiguan, the successor to its compact electric crossover, the ID.4. The new vehicle introduces significant upgrades to software, interior controls, and utility features, addressing long-standing criticisms of its predecessor.
What Happened
The ID. Tiguan replaces both the ID.4 and, in some markets, the ID.5. While maintaining a similar size to the outgoing model, the new EV features a more mature design with a longer, more upright hood. Inside, Volkswagen has responded to user feedback by replacing touch-sensitive sliders with physical button pads on the steering wheel and a row of buttons below the main infotainment screen. A volume knob has also returned to the center console. The push-for-rear-window switches have been replaced with four traditional ones.
The interior now includes up to three screens, with an additional display for the front passenger. Driver and center screens are larger and offer a "retro" mode with stylized virtual gauge clusters reminiscent of older Volkswagen models. For the first time in this lineup, the vehicle includes a frunk, albeit a small one with 1.1 cubic feet of storage. It also gains one-pedal driving and vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality via an adapter that plugs into the charging port.
Powertrain options mirror those of the previous ID.4, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations available. A 58 kWh battery offers 187 horsepower in RWD form, while a 77 kWh pack delivers 282 horsepower in RWD or 294 horsepower in AWD 4Motion trim. The 77 kWh RWD model boasts a maximum range of 600 kilometers (372 miles) under the WLTP cycle, a 26-kilometer increase over the ID.4’s European rating.
Why It Matters
The introduction of the ID. Tiguan is critical for Volkswagen as it re-establishes a mainstream electric offering in the U.S. market. Earlier this year, VW ceased production of the ID.4 in the United States in favor of gas vehicles, leaving a gap in its EV lineup. The ID.4 had been known for its spaciousness and value, particularly when it qualified for the EV tax credit during its U.S. production run, but it faced criticism regarding its software and certain driving experience elements.
By incorporating physical controls and a frunk, Volkswagen appears to be addressing key pain points that affected owner satisfaction with the ID.4. The addition of V2L and improved software stacks aligns the vehicle with modern EV expectations. With a starting price of approximately 42,695 euros (around $49,000) in Europe, the ID. Tiguan maintains price parity with the current ID.4 in many European markets, suggesting a competitive positioning strategy.
The Bottom Line
The Volkswagen ID. Tiguan is scheduled to launch in Europe in early 2027, with a U.S. release planned for sometime after that. Volkswagen confirmed that U.S.-specific details will be shared closer to the American launch date. The vehicle represents a strategic refresh aimed at correcting previous shortcomings while retaining the core value proposition of the ID.4.
