2015 VW Tiguan Drops Manual, Adds Infotainment Features

white tiguan R

It looks like another one bites the dust: The 2015 VW Tiguan will be offered solely with an automatic transmission for the new selling season, with last year's six-speed manual, which was available only on the entry-model to start with, now missing in action. That ratchets up the starting price of the 2015 VW Tiguan by a significant amount, too: While the 2014 entry model could be had for $23,305 with that DIY shifter, the least expensive 2015 VW Tiguan will be $25,995–and that's also a $665 premium over the automatically transmissioned entry model from the previous selling season.

On the other hand, there has been a fairly significant upgrade in technology, as the 2015 VW Tiguan adds standard features including Volkswagen's Car-Net connectivity services, a rear-view camera system, and a "Premium VIII" touchscreen audio system with iPod interface. The range-topping 2015 VW Tiguan R-Line also gets a restyled rear bumper, with the rest of the lineup carrying over from 2014.

And that means drivers still enjoy a four-cylinder, 2.0-liter turbo engine that makes 200 hp and 207 lb.-ft of torque; it's enough to tow 2,200 lbs., yet that powerplant also is good for EPA grades of 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway/23 mpg combined.

Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel-drive remains on the menu as well to provide a dash of extra confidence in poor road conditions, and the 2015 VW Tiguan with that setup starts at $27,285.

Folks can start looking for the 2015 VW Tiguan to reach dealerships later this year.