Used 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan Consumer Reviews
Used Tiguan for sale
Nice interior but engine performance is ok
Tony Watanabe, 06/25/2016
2012 Volkswagen Tiguan S 4dr SUV w/Sunroof (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
What I like the most my Tiguan S with Full Option is the interior. Once I get in a car, it makes me feel relax and smile. Wide open sunroof is very nice. My driver seat is ok. However, on the passenger seat, my wife always complains it is not comfortable. She has a trouble adjusting the seat position. My wife often change her seat position, especially for a long drive. I taught her several times how to adjust the manual passenger seat position, which she never figure it out. Sometimes, my co-worker sits on the passenger seat, when we go out for lunch, and he/she has a trouble too. The entertainment system is poor. It does not have USB connector to play music or charge my phone. It has an old special iPhone connector with the cable, but no use. (I have an Android phone.) Engine shakes with a slow steady speed around 30 to 35 mph. Despite of 2.0L turbo, I cannot enjoy the acceleration. I heard APR offers ECU update and upgrade turbo. In order to enjoy Tiguan's acceleration, we need an aftermarket equipment. Even without any upgrade, my Tiguan suffers mpg. Overall, it is ok...
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- Technology
- Performance
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Doesn't age well
M Cantwell, 07/31/2018
2012 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL 4dr SUV w/Premium Navigation (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
17 of 22 people found this review helpful
We own a 2012 Tiguan. Rides well, great acceleration and performance. Superior braking in early years, OK now (2018). Rear seat is satisfactory, not great. Very limited cargo space. Mileage will not match reported values but probably typical for class. Although we have not experienced many of the problems reported, particularly as related to performance, the Tiguan dos the age well. Expect numerous expensive repairs. Specifically, the drain tubes that empty the water pan, a feature that collects condensation, clog causing water to back up into the interior. This is an expensive fix. The water pump is sure to fail. Most critical and pensive repair is the turbo charger. The dealership first diagnosed this as a faulty turbo oil diverter valve which is a fairly reasonable fix. Hen the diverter doesn't correct the proble, dealership claims the entir turbo must be replaced and, of cours, this does not fix the problem. The turbo job is a long, deep engine, expensive fix, over $2000. Where we go from here, I don't know, neither do the VW mechanics. ThemTiguan looks great, handle well and has very good performance in its early life, but my suggestion, don't buy this vehicle. Many choices in this class. Keep looking.
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- Technology
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- Comfort
2012 Volkswagen Tiguan for sale near you
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- S 4dr SUVMSRP: $6,999134 mi away
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Completely satisfied
kpk63, 04/14/2012
2012 Volkswagen Tiguan S 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
I looked at and test drove several comparable SUV's to include Equinox, CR-V, Escape, Outlander Sport, Mazda CX-7, Sportage, Tucson and of course the Tiguan. After a couple of months I had the Tiguan and Equinox as top contenders. They both had minor concerns with the transmission. The Equinox did have a "kick" after decelerating and the Tiguan does have a "lagging" effect when it drops automatically into 6th gear at around 30-35 mph but here's the remedy to that...just throw it into Sport mode and it wakes right up. I truly enjoy the feel, ride, tightness and especially the performance/sound of the engine when you drop it down to pass or enter the freeway. Enjoy....I certainly do.
Great little SUV/tall hatchback
dasteutonic, 04/05/2012
2012 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL 4Motion 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I think these vehicles tend to be higher priced than other similar vehicles (RAV4, etc)...which if you compare features, may seem expensive, but build quality and driving characteristics outclass these other small utes. Build quality is excellent and contains many features found in luxury German vehicles, especially on the SEL. My only gripe about the new Tiguan is the overeager automatic transmission where it wants to get into 6th gear at very low speeds, which is a bit awkward. Overall, even though this is not a vehicle I typically buy, I couldn't be happier with it. I highly recommend it if your in the market for quality small SUV.
Vw the best yet
Gordon R, 11/30/2018
updated 12/06/2021
2012 Volkswagen Tiguan S 4dr SUV w/Sunroof (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Bought at 33000 miles. Only a couple small issues. Heater switch burned out and turbo pump leaking oil. Always maintain cars as to maintainance schedule. Mileage has been better than expected. Great in mountain highways as turbo boost makes passing easy. Loved the sound shutting the doors as it shows quality. Only dislike is the premium fuel requirement. Usually runs 60 cents more a gallon. Have had a variety of cars over the years and as this is the first vw it has been by far the best. Traded a Saturn suv in on it that lost transmission at 80000. Averaged 34 during 5000 mile road trip through deserts and mountains. By far more comfortable to drive than my Lacrosse. Still agree it has been the best car I have owned. Needed a little front end attention this year. A little more expensive to maintain but as this car has been exceptional and I have had a 2011 Lacross for only 2 years I don't know if I can actually say how expensive other cars are to maintain. Only downside is the dealership where it is serviced moved farther away. Now about a 20 mile drive. But, as I only visit a couple times a year it is bearable. Drove to western Canada last summer and it averaged 35 highway. Could be the higher octane fuel they sell. Car now has 104k miles. Normal maintenance schedule is kept too. Running great. Recently purchased a new Ford Escape as the Buick was starting to leak oil from the rear main. Still would say it has been my best car to date. Ride is terrific on long drives.
- Performance
Great compact SUV, except for the transmission
tom365, 03/26/2012
2012 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL 4Motion 4dr SUV AWD w/Premium Navigation, Dynaudio, Rearview Camera (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
This is an excellent SUV; great build quality, fun to drive, practical, rides great at highway speed and has that Volkswagen feel. However, VW has greatly modified the shift pattern of the transmission for 2012. The car tries much too hard to be in the highest possible gear, like 5th or 6th gear between 30 - 35 MPH. This results in severe lugging of the engine which causes the vehicle to shudder and actually shake. It also makes an annoying low-pitched rumbling sound at these speeds. I would strongly advise anyone considering this car to test-drive it for several miles at speeds around 30 - 35 to see if the shaking and shuddering bothers them.
17,000 miles on it and it could be a death trap
duckmom, 12/27/2012
2012 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL 4Motion 4dr SUV AWD w/Premium Navigation, Dynaudio, Rearview Camera (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
The first 17,000 miles were pretty easy, nothing out of the ordinary to report. Since then I have been in 4 times, once was 20,000 mile service. One time for broken media cord, one time for car stalling at low speeds and currently for an air vent on the passenger side being stuck on causing cold air to constantly flood the cabin, for stalling again at low speeds and failing to rev past 4000 rpm's, which creates a "stalling" effect on the car. This is not good when you are accelerating to get on the freeway, which is when it has happened twice to me. I am really bummed, up till recently I loved my Tiguan. Thinking I want to get rid of it before the warranty expires.
Fun to Drive
gptiguan, 07/17/2012
2012 Volkswagen Tiguan SE 4Motion 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Living on a mountain, I needed a SUV with four wheel drive but didn't need a big vehicle. I test drove the gamut of small SUVs. The Tiguan was the right size and out performed most of the cars out there I looked at. The Tiguan is so much smoother over the bumps and quieter than my last car that it has really become a joy to drive. I like the firm but comfortable feel of the suspension and steering. Its a great car for traversing a mountain with its bends and curves. Once the turbo kicks in, the car has plenty of power and has lots of low-end torque. This gives it plenty of power to get up and down the hill. I understand now why people who own VWs love driving them now. They're fun!
Love it now time will tell
tiguan2012, 01/21/2013
2012 Volkswagen Tiguan SE 4Motion 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Just picked up our 2012 Tiguan SE 4Motion yesterday so clearly too soon to tell but so far we love it. The end of model year incentive made the deal quite attractive, we figured the 4motion-SE would be good for resale when the time comes. The ride is very smooth. Took test drives in the CR-V, Mazda CX5, Hyundai Santa Fe/Tuscon, Kia Sportage and Ford Escape. Any of them would be fine, but we just liked the styling and European ride of the Tiguan. 2nd choice would have been the Sportage.
LOVE IT!
davidlm3, 10/22/2011
2012 Volkswagen Tiguan SE 4dr SUV w/Sunroof, Navigation (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
17 of 33 people found this review helpful
Purchased the 2012 Tiguan after seeing it at the dealer. It looks great and the interior is "Audi-esque". The radio and nav system are very cool. The interior is top notch. It drives very well and is smooth over bumps and ruts. It has very good acceleration and handles like a sporty car. Averaging 27.8 mpg combined according to the Tiguan's computer. Would definitely purchase another one. The only thing I would change is offering the LED/Xenon headlights on the SE model as a option.