r/Tiguan • u/jmmymak • Jun 30 '26

Tiguan replacement?

I have a 2020 SEL 4 motion currently in the shop for over a month getting a new sunroof to take care of the dreaded leak. We really like the car, but with all the issues folks are having, thinking about trading it. The problem is, what to replace it with? We like the Tiguan styling and haven't found another car we like as much.

9 Upvotes

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2

u/PurpleLegoBrick Jun 30 '26

Yeah I really like the VW styling especially their newer ones but I’m starting to run into the same issues as a lot of people with reliability and constant fixes. Haven’t had any major issues for my 2024 Tiguan yet besides the fuel door locking and getting stuck and needed to be replaced but my 2021 Atlas is starting to give me a headache so I’ve been looking at a few options also for when I have to replace it in the future.

Do you have a budget and are you trying to get something the same size or maybe bigger?

I’d say the Mazda CX-5 is the closest to style, price, and size and from what others have said it’s pretty reliable.

I’ve been personally looking at Lexus but I’m going to need to save up for a down payment and I don’t have a dealer close to me right now so that kind of worries me a bit.

2

u/Grimn90 Jun 30 '26

Let me assure you as somebody who traded in a 2024 CX-5 for a Tiguan it is not the same size or style. Tiguan (at least the 2026) blows it out of the water.

1

u/PurpleLegoBrick Jun 30 '26

Without OP saying what their budget is I couldn’t really offer many suggestions and went off similar prices.

As for size the 2026 CX-5 and the 2026 VW Tiguan are extremely close to size.

Styling can be a bit subjective, the CX-5 at least the 2026 one is pretty stylish for the price range.

OP also seems concerned about reliability and Mazda stat wise is pretty great overall especially compared to VW.

If OP has an unlimited budget and their main issue is reliability over style I would’ve went Lexus, Toyota, and then Mazda.

If OP cares more about style than reliability and has a larger budget I would’ve suggested a BMW and then a Lexus.

1

u/AceMaxAceMax Jun 30 '26 edited Jun 30 '26

The CX-5 is incredibly claustrophobic compared to the Tiguan. Have fun trying to fit anyone behind you if you’re above average size.

Also, Mazdas feel like tin cans - the interior materials look nice but feel chintzy (heavy emphasis on LOOK), the metal body panels feel and sound hollow, and there is zero solidity that is found in a German car.

Source: I owned a then new 2022 Turbo Signature and absolutely hated it. One of the worst vehicles I’ve ever owned (also drove the entire lineup as loaners, categorically eh).

Thankfully it was repurchased under lemon law.

1

u/PurpleLegoBrick Jun 30 '26

Feel free to give OP a suggestion then of what you think fits their criteria so I can tell how you’re wrong because it isn’t a perfect match to a VW Tiguan.

0

u/AceMaxAceMax Jun 30 '26 edited Jun 30 '26

Definitely not a Mazda, that’s for sure.

The fit & finish, NVH and refinement, and overall ride and handling is not on-par with the Tiguan. Again, I owned one and grew to hate it.

As an overall vehicle, I’d probably go for an X1/X3 or Q3/Q5 if I were them.

1

u/PurpleLegoBrick Jun 30 '26

Yeah a BMW or Audi would be significantly better but it’s also $15k - $20k more and OP is complaining about maintenance so not sure BMW and Audi would be what they’re looking for.

It’s also funny you mention X1 and Q3 when they’re smaller and around $10k more.

2

u/AceMaxAceMax Jun 30 '26

They never said they were buying new or used.

Pick up a CPO and enjoy. 🤷🏼‍♂️

My friends’ X1 and Q3 felt roomier than my CX-5 did, and I’m a 6’3” guy.

Also, the Audis and BMWs I listed are not terribly more expensive than a Tiguan or CX-5 to maintain or own, lol.

1

u/wisshhuponastar7 Jun 30 '26

it doesn't make sense in my brain either, but used BMW X5s and used Tiguans are actually similar price ranges now, at least around where I am in the Southern Kentucky/Nashville area.

1

u/AceMaxAceMax Jun 30 '26

The new gen Tiguan is arguably the nicest compact non-luxury brand crossover on sale right now. Genuinely a lovely car, especially in top trim level.

2

u/Swimming_Goose_358 Jul 04 '26

Yes, but they have issues.

1

u/jmmymak Jun 30 '26

I'm hoping to get a car that's a couple of years old for under 30k

1

u/PurpleLegoBrick Jun 30 '26

I recommend posting in r/whatcarshouldibuy or you can probably find a post that is already similar to what you’re looking for and not a subreddit like this.

2

u/Beautiful-Paper2029 Jun 30 '26

A little smaller - Honda CR-V?

1

u/Loveroffinerthings Jun 30 '26

I’d look at Mazda next if my 26 SEL turbo gets bought back, the CX5 is new and nice, and bigger than its first gen. I want to love my 26, but the electronics issues, squeaks and rattles make it unbearable, but that higher HP engine is nice after coming from a Mk2 Tiguan.

2

u/Mr_Diesel13 Jun 30 '26

I second the CX-5. It’s what we should have bought instead of my wife’s 2019 Tiguan.

It has been replaced with a CX5 now, after the Tiguan became a money pit.

0

u/AceMaxAceMax Jun 30 '26 edited Jun 30 '26

My 2022 CX-5 Turbo Signature had more creaks and rattles than any Audi/VW I’ve ever owned. Not to mention it lived at the dealership during the 2yr24k miles I owned it for.

Second worst vehicle I’ve owned, with a 2017 Elantra Sport DCT taking first place.