VW has just unveiled the 2021 Tiguan facelift. This being VW's most successful model, they have spent considerable effort to sharpen the Tiguan to keep it ahead of the field, including new interior and exterior styling, and innovative driver-assistance and comfort features. For the first time, there will be a proper 320 PS Tiguan R in the line-up too.

The front end is completely new. The new grille, which flows into the standard LED headlights, is wider - which gives it a 'baby Touareg' look. The eye-catching bumpers have also undergone a makeover.

At the rear, the “Tiguan” lettering sits prominently below the VW badge (just like the Passat facelift). An updated hands-free Easy Open and Close for the power liftgate is available. There will also be new wheel designs to complete the exterior refresh.

Moving inside, the new multifunction steering wheel comes with digital controls, featuring illuminated touch islands and sliders. An all-new touch module is available for the Climatronic® climate control as well. Illuminated USB-C ports are located under the air-conditioning module.

Also receiving a refresh is the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, which allows the driver to configure the instrument display. The new MIB3 infotainment system offers natural voice control, multi-phone pairing that can easily switch between devices, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well. 

Next generation of personalization systems is included, to customize features from driver-seat and mirror settings to driver-assistance system preferences. Rounding out the interior changes is an all-new 15-color ambient lighting system.

The U.S. Tiguan is powered by an advanced version of the EA888 four-cylinder TSI® engine. It incorporates the so-called Budack cycle for improved combustion efficiency. The upshot is 184 PS from 4,400 rpm to 6,000 rpm. Maximum torque of 300 Nm is available from 1,600 to 4,360 rpm. All Tiguan models are equipped with a standard eight-speed automatic transmission.

The new Tiguan will also feature a driving assistance package called Travel Assist. The system can take over steering, braking and acceleration of the new Tiguan at speeds of between 0 - 210 kmh. Travel Assist uses Adaptive Cruise Control (longitudinal guidance) and the Lane Assist lane keeping system (lateral guidance) to help reduce driver fatigue. That being said, this is not an autonomous system and the driver must remain in complete control of the vehicle.

The new Tiguan also has the latest generation of adaptive cruise control (ACC), which recognises local speed limits, town boundary signs, junctions and roundabouts. For this purpose, the assist system uses the signals from the front camera and GPS map data.

Meanwhile, the Tiguan R joins the Tiguan line-up for the first time in the model's history. Using the familiar EA888 engine from the Golf R, drive is sent to all four-wheels via a seven-speed DSG. Performance figures have not been revealed fully, all we know is that it will have 320 PS.

The Tiguan R also features VW's adaptive damping system, DCC with a lowered ride height of 10mm. From the pictures you can tell that an Akrapovic system is available too.

To recap, the Malaysian-spec Tiguan is powered by the 1.4 TSI engine (150 PS, 250 Nm), driving through a 6-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission.