Used 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV Consumer Reviews
Used Tiguan for sale
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
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...
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
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.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
2012 Volkswagen Tiguan for sale near you
Showing 3 of 50 listings
- S 4dr SUVMSRP: $5,100117 mi away
- SE 4Motion 4dr SUVMSRP: $6,848486 mi away
- LE 4dr SUVMSRP: $6,999281 mi away
See all 50 listings
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.
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.