2016 Volkswagen Tiguan — Full Specifications
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The 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan is an SUV powered by a 2L 4-cyl turbo premium gasoline engine. Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 28 mpg (UK) / 23 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 26–28 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Volkswagen Tiguan workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Related 2016 listings: Volkswagen Tiguan 4motion.
Compared with the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 28 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It carries the same 4★ overall NHTSA rating.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 2L 4-cyl turbo |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Fuel Type | Premium Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 28 combined / 25 urban / 31 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 23 combined / 21 city / 26 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 244 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 5 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,550 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 2 configurations for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan, all with the 2L 4-cyl turbo engine. Combined fuel economy ranges from 22 to 23 mpg (US), or 26 to 28 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 26 | 22 (20/26) | 245 | $3,750 |
| 2L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 23 (21/26) | 244 | $3,550 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
Running Costs: 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan at 28 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,299 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,550 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (1), Latches/locks/linkages (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Air bags — campaign 19V535000, reported 17 July 2019. Risk: Deactivated air bags increases the risk of injury. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags increase the risk of a crash.
- Latches/locks/linkages — campaign 16V464000, reported 24 June 2016. Risk: If an unrestrained child unexpectedly opens a door, they may fall from the vehicle increasing their risk of injury.
Owners have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan. The most-reported areas are Air bags (37), Electrical system (27), Unspecified (23). Complaints include 4 reported crashes, 2 reported fires, 3 reported injuries. That is close to the median of 110 complaints across the 17 Volkswagen Tiguan model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Air bags (1 recall campaign · 37 owner complaints) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Electrical system (27 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Steering (12 owner complaints) — Check for play, noise or heavy steering, and ask whether any steering recall work was done.
- Doors & latches (1 recall campaign) — Test every door, boot and bonnet latch and the central locking.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Volkswagen Tiguan compare to similar SUVs? SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model sits close to that average, within 1 mpg. Its 244 g/km CO₂ figure is 9 g/km lower than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Volkswagen models in our database average about 33 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan's 28 mpg is 5 mpg below that make average. Its 244 g/km CO₂ figure is 31 g/km higher than the 213 g/km Volkswagen average.
Of the 17 Volkswagen Tiguan model years we cover, the 2016 ranks 11th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (28 mpg UK combined, against a high of 34 mpg). See every Volkswagen Tiguan year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
It's fitted with a 2L 4-cyl turbo premium gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (s6) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan?
The most efficient configuration returns around 28 mpg (UK) combined, or 23 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 26 to 28 mpg.
How much does the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,550 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 4 stars, with 3 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (1), Latches/locks/linkages (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Among the 96 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Air bags (37 complaints), Electrical system (27 complaints), Unspecified (23 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Volkswagen Tiguan's fuel economy good for an SUV?
Yes — it returns around 28 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.