This compact SUV nameplate was introduced by Volkswagen in 2007, following the Concept Tiguan shown in 2006. The production model arrived as a new kind of family vehicle for the brand: smaller and more car-like than a traditional large SUV, but still offered with the practical space, higher seating position, and available all-wheel drive that helped make crossovers popular. Its name was created from a reader poll and combines the ideas of “tiger” and “iguana,” reflecting Volkswagen’s effort to give the vehicle a distinctive identity rather than a purely descriptive one.
The first generation established the formula for the badge and quickly became a strong seller in many markets. A second generation followed in 2016, bringing a larger body, a more modern design, and a broader technology and drivetrain mix. Volkswagen also expanded the line with the longer-wheelbase Allspace variant for customers needing more interior room. In 2020, the performance-oriented R model added a more enthusiast-focused chapter to the nameplate’s history.
A third generation arrived in 2024, continuing the model’s role as one of Volkswagen’s key global SUVs. Across its life, the nameplate has been associated with mainstream practicality, a wide market reach, and steady evolution rather than abrupt reinvention, which is a major reason it has become one of the brand’s most important modern vehicles.