2020 Volkswagen Tiguan Interior Features and Highlights

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan packs a surprising amount of interior space into a compact SUV footprint. With available seating for up to seven passengers, a cabin that maxes out at 73.5 cubic feet of cargo room, and technology features that range from basic smartphone integration to a fully digital instrument cluster, the Tiguan covers a lot of ground across its five trim levels.

This guide breaks down what comes standard, what each trim adds, and how the dimensions and features stack up for real-world use.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan interior blends technology, comfort, and flexibility in a way that works well for families and daily commuters alike. Every Tiguan comes with a touchscreen infotainment system, App-Connect for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB ports in both rows, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The standard configuration seats five across two rows, while an available third row brings capacity up to seven.

What stands out about the base Tiguan is how complete it feels without upgrades. You get three 12-volt power outlets scattered throughout the cabin, Bluetooth with audio streaming, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with multifunction controls. The rearview camera and cruise control come standard too, which wasn't always the case in this price range a few years ago.

Here's what every 2020 Tiguan includes regardless of trim:

• Dual-zone Climatronic climate control: Driver and front passenger can set different temperatures independently
• App-Connect smartphone integration: Mirrors compatible phone apps on the touchscreen for navigation, music, and calls
• 60/40 split-folding rear seats: Fold one or both sections to adjust cargo space on the fly
• Rearview camera: Shows what's behind you when backing up
• Three USB ports: Two up front for data, one in back for charging

The 2020 Tiguan comes in five trims, and each one adds meaningful upgrades over the last. Knowing what separates them helps you figure out where to focus your budget.

The S trim covers the basics without feeling stripped down. Cloth seating surfaces hold up well to everyday use, and the 6.5-inch touchscreen handles smartphone integration smoothly. Front passengers share two USB data ports while rear passengers get one charging port.

One detail worth noting: the optional third-row seating package is available on the S trim. So if you want seven-passenger capability without paying for leather or a bigger screen, the base model can accommodate that.

The SE represents a noticeable jump in refinement. V-Tex leatherette replaces cloth on the seats—this synthetic leather material looks and feels more upscale than fabric, and it wipes clean easily when kids spill something. The touchscreen grows to 8 inches, and a wireless charging pad in the center console keeps your phone powered without cables.

Heated front seats become standard at this level. An available panoramic sunroof opens up the cabin with natural light and fresh air, though it does add to the price.

The SE R-Line Black takes the SE's features and adds sporty visual touches throughout the interior. A black headliner replaces the standard light-colored one, creating a more dramatic look overhead. Stainless steel pedal caps and R-Line badging on the seats reinforce the athletic theme.

Ambient lighting comes standard on this trim, casting a subtle glow around the cabin after dark. An available Overhead View Camera stitches together multiple camera feeds to show a bird's-eye view of the vehicle—helpful when parking in tight spots.

The SEL moves into genuine luxury territory. Real leather replaces the synthetic material on the seats, and the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit takes over the instrument cluster. This 12.3-inch display replaces traditional analog gauges with a customizable screen that can show navigation maps, trip information, or media details right in front of the driver.

Touchscreen navigation comes standard, along with a heated steering wheel. On cold mornings, that heated wheel makes a bigger difference than you might expect.

At the top of the lineup, the SEL Premium R-Line combines the sporty R-Line styling with every comfort feature Volkswagen offers. The Fender Premium Audio System delivers noticeably better sound through eight speakers and a subwoofer tuned specifically for the Tiguan's cabin. A panoramic tilt-and-slide sunroof comes standard rather than optional.

The front seats gain 8-way power adjustment with driver memory settings, so the seat returns to your preferred position automatically. Remote engine start lets you warm up or cool down the cabin before you get in—particularly useful during Long Island summers and winters.

The Tiguan sits in the compact SUV category, but the interior feels roomier than that label suggests. Volkswagen prioritized usable space over exterior size, which means adults can sit comfortably in both the first and second rows without feeling squeezed.

Up front, you get 38.7 inches of headroom and 40.2 inches of legroom. The driver's seat includes height adjustment on every trim, while higher trims add power adjustment and lumbar support. Taller drivers generally find enough room here without bumping their heads or sitting too close to the steering wheel.

The second row offers 38.4 inches of legroom, which is generous for this class. What makes it more versatile is the sliding rear bench—you can move it forward to create more cargo space behind, or slide it back to give rear passengers extra stretch room.

Three adults can technically fit across the back seat, though two passengers will be more comfortable on longer trips. The middle position works fine for a child or for shorter drives around town.

When equipped with the optional third row, the Tiguan can carry up to seven passengers. That said, the third row works best for children or smaller adults. Legroom back there measures 27.4 inches, which gets tight for anyone with longer legs.

Getting into the third row is straightforward. Easy-release levers on the second-row seats fold and slide them forward, creating a passageway to the back. For families who occasionally need extra seats for carpools or visiting relatives, the third row adds flexibility without requiring a bigger vehicle.

Cargo space is one of the Tiguan's strongest selling points. The two-row model offers 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats with them upright—enough room for a week's worth of groceries, golf bags, or a couple of large suitcases.

Fold the rear seats flat, and that number jumps to 73.5 cubic feet. The load floor sits nearly level when the seats are down, which makes sliding in bulky items like furniture or camping gear much easier. Those easy-release levers on the seatbacks let you fold everything down in seconds without wrestling with the seats.

Three-row models trade some cargo space for the extra seating. With all seven seats in use, you have 12 cubic feet behind the third row—enough for a few backpacks or shopping bags. Fold the third row and you're back to 33 cubic feet. Fold both rear rows and you get the full 73.5 cubic feet again.

Beyond the main cargo area, the Tiguan includes a covered center console bin, door pockets sized for water bottles, and seatback pockets for rear passengers. An available cargo cover conceals items in the back from view.

Every 2020 Tiguan comes with Volkswagen's Car-Net system, which handles connectivity and smartphone integration. App-Connect serves as the main hub here—it mirrors compatible apps from your phone onto the touchscreen so you can use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for navigation, music, and hands-free messaging.

The base 6.5-inch touchscreen handles all of this capably, though the 8-inch unit on SE and higher trims offers more screen space and sharper graphics. Both screens respond quickly to touch inputs. Volkswagen also included physical knobs for volume and tuning, which makes adjustments easier while driving compared to touchscreen-only controls.

On SEL trims, the Digital Cockpit can display full navigation maps directly in the driver's line of sight. Instead of glancing over at the center screen, you see turn-by-turn directions right where you're already looking.

Higher trims add a Wi-Fi hotspot for keeping passengers connected on road trips. The Fender Premium Audio System on the SEL Premium R-Line includes a subwoofer and speakers positioned throughout the cabin for balanced sound at any volume.

Volkswagen interiors tend to prioritize function and build quality over flashy design, and the 2020 Tiguan follows that pattern. Materials throughout the cabin feel solid, with tight panel gaps and controls that click with satisfying precision. The soft-touch surfaces on the dashboard and door panels resist scratches and clean up easily.

V-Tex leatherette on SE and SE R-Line trims holds up particularly well over time. Spills wipe away without staining, which matters if you have kids or pets. Genuine leather on SEL trims develops character as it ages but requires more careful cleaning to stay soft.

The control layout ages well too. Physical buttons for climate and audio remain intuitive years into ownership. Some vehicles with touchscreen-only interfaces start to feel dated as software evolves, but the Tiguan's blend of physical and digital controls avoids that problem.

Specs and photos only tell part of the story. Sitting in the driver's seat, adjusting the mirrors, and testing how the infotainment responds gives you a much better sense of whether a particular trim fits your daily routine.

At Platinum Volkswagen, our team can walk you through the differences between trim levels without any pressure. We keep multiple Tiguan configurations in stock, so you can compare the cloth seats in an S to the leather in an SEL back to back.

Schedule a test drive at Platinum Volkswagen to experience the cabin firsthand. Our Hicksville location serves drivers across Long Island with straightforward pricing and honest answers.

With regular maintenance at the recommended intervals, a 2020 Tiguan can reliably reach well over 100,000 miles. Staying current on oil changes, fluid checks, and scheduled inspections makes the biggest difference in long-term reliability.

Recall information changes as manufacturers identify and address issues over time. You can check the current status by entering your VIN on the NHTSA website or by contacting a Volkswagen service department directly.

The 2020 Tiguan offers interior colors including Titan Black, Storm Gray, and Golden Oak, depending on trim level and exterior color selection.

The Atlas provides significantly more passenger and cargo space as Volkswagen's full-size three-row SUV. The Tiguan offers a more compact footprint that's easier to maneuver and park while still accommodating most families comfortably.