2017 Volkswagen Tiguan: What's Changed

CARS.COM

• Most significant changes: Wolfsburg trim replaces R-Line and Sport replaces SE. New standard infotainment system for base S model.
• Price change: Prices are $105 higher on S and $55 higher on SEL; the new Wolfsburg trim is $1,395 higher than last year’s R-Line and the Sport is $605 more than last year’s SE model.
• On sale: August
• Which should you buy, 2016 or 2017? 2016

Related: What’s the Best Compact SUV of 2016?

The Volkswagen Tiguan compact SUV has a revamped lineup for what is likely the current generation’s last model year. A redesigned Tiguan is expected to be introduced during calendar-year 2017.

The current model returns in S and SEL trim levels that were offered last year, but a Wolfsburg trim replaces the R-Line and a Sport trim replaces the SE. All seat five and come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, six-speed automatic transmission and front- or all-wheel drive.

New standard equipment on the base S includes an infotainment system with a 6.3-inch screen, Bluetooth and VW Car-Net connectivity with the ability to sync two cellphones at the same time. The Wolfsburg trim comes with custom badging and floormats, as well as a standard panoramic sunroof. The Sport has 18-inch gray alloy wheels, a sport suspension, automatic climate control and body-color side sill exterior trim.

Higher sales of the Tiguan have been a rare bright spot this year for Volkswagen, which is recovering from a diesel emissions scandal. Americans continue to gravitate to SUVs from cars, and the Tiguan is benefitting from that transition despite base prices that are higher than many rivals and the turbo four-cylinder engine’s premium gas requirement.

Volkswagen dealers are offering good deals on the Tiguan (and other models), but the value proposition for the Tiguan was already shaky before the diesel scandal hurt resale value.