New VW Tiguan Crash-Tested by Euro NCAP, Does the Result Surprise You?

The European New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) crash-tested the new generation VW Tiguan in the main categories comprising Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Vulnerable Road Users, and Safety Assist. The mid-size crossover scored 83%, 88%, 84%, and 78%, respectively, qualifying for a maximum rating from Euro NCAP.

As Volkswagen notes, all versions of the new-gen Tiguan feature many safety gizmos as standard, including the entry-level grade. Some of the onboard gear include the driver attention monitor, driver alert system, rear traffic alert, oncoming vehicle braking when turning with swerve support, hill-start assist, exit warning, park distance control, front cross traffic assist, autonomous emergency braking (pedestrian and cyclist monitoring), lane keep assist, lane change assist, child presence detection system, numerous airbags, etc.

Unveiled last fall, the new generation Volkswagen Tiguan targets Europe primarily and is an evolution of its predecessor with a softer overall exterior appearance, a driver-centered cockpit with lots of technology gear, and the MQB Evo platform as its skeleton. The construction is shared with the new Passat, Audi A3, SEAT Leon, Skoda Octavia, and the Ford Tourneo Connect. VW says the new model is more agile and stable and offers improved handling compared to the old one.

But will it launch in the United States? Yes and no, kind of like Schrodinger's cat. You see, there is a next-gen Tiguan en route to North America, but it builds on China's second-gen Tayron or Europe's first-gen Tayron (former Tiguan Allspace). It should sport a cabin similar to the Tiguan sold in Europe, and it is believed to utilize the same construction. Rumors claim it might launch with a 2.0L four-pot with mild-hybrid assistance in our market, probably with a PHEV joining the lineup.

During its latest session, Euro NCAP assessed other vehicles besides the new-gen VW Tiguan. These included the Ford Tourneo Custom, which scored only three stars in its standard configuration and four stars when equipped with the optional safety pack. The Euro NCAP's Secretary General, Michiel van Ratingen, said that the Blue Oval might "feel disappointed by this result," adding that the model "is slightly let down by its performance."

The Zeekr 001 also fell in Euro NCAP's lap and scored a maximum five-star safety rating, just like the Zeekr X. The Maxus MIFA 7 also scored a maximum safety rating from Euro NCAP, and after further evaluation, the safety specialists awarded the Renault Scenic E-Tech with a five-star rating, "in line with 2022 test protocols," just like "its partner vehicle, the Renault Megane E-Tech." You can watch all aforementioned models being crash-tested on video below.