2018 Volkswagen Tiguan — Full Specifications
As an Amazon Associate and CJ Affiliate and AWIN publisher we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan is an SUV powered by a 2L 4-cyl turbo regular gasoline engine. Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 29 mpg (UK) / 24 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 26–29 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Volkswagen Tiguan workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Related 2018 listings: Volkswagen Tiguan 4motion.
Compared with the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan: Fuel economy improves from 26 to 29 mpg (UK) combined on the most efficient configuration. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. The overall NHTSA rating moves from 4★ to 5★.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 2L 4-cyl turbo |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 29 combined / 26 urban / 32 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 24 combined / 22 city / 27 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 229 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 5 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,800 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 4 configurations for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan, all with the 2L 4-cyl turbo engine. Combined fuel economy ranges from 22 to 24 mpg (US), or 26 to 29 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 (19/25) | 253 | $3,750 |
| 2L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 23 (20/26) | 243 | $3,550 |
| 2L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 28 | 23 (21/27) | 237 | $2,900 |
| 2L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 24 (22/27) | 229 | $2,800 |
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 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
Running Costs: 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan at 29 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,254 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $2,800 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.
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 14 safety recall campaigns that include the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Suspension (3), Structure (2), Air bags (2). 1 campaign carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Steering — campaign 26V590000, reported 11 September 2026. Risk: A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Structure — campaign 22V226000, reported 6 April 2022. Risk: An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Structure — campaign 21V732000, reported 23 September 2021. Risk: The incorrect roof reinforcement may decrease the roof's structural integrity or impact deployment of the side curtain air bags, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Seat belts — campaign 20V724000, reported 20 November 2020. Risk: A torn seat belt may not adequately restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Showing the 4 most recent of 14 campaigns.
Owners have filed 290 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. The most-reported areas are Engine (83), Unspecified (54), Power train (51). Complaints include 5 reported crashes, 3 reported fires, 12 reported injuries. That is well above the median of 110 complaints across the 17 Volkswagen Tiguan model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Engine (83 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Transmission & drivetrain (51 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
- Electrical system (46 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Suspension (3 recall campaigns) — Listen for knocks over bumps and check tyre wear for signs of alignment problems.
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? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 29 mpg figure is 2 mpg better than that average. Its 229 g/km CO₂ figure is 24 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 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan's 29 mpg is 4 mpg below that make average. Its 229 g/km CO₂ figure is 16 g/km higher than the 213 g/km Volkswagen average.
Of the 17 Volkswagen Tiguan model years we cover, the 2018 ranks 9th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (29 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 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
It's fitted with a 2L 4-cyl turbo regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (s8) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan?
The most efficient configuration returns around 29 mpg (UK) combined, or 24 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 26 to 29 mpg.
How much does the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $2,800 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 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 5 stars, with 4 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 14 safety recall campaigns that include the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Suspension (3), Structure (2), Air bags (2). 1 campaign carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. 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 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Among the 290 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Engine (83 complaints), Unspecified (54 complaints), Power train (51 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 29 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.