Volkswagen Tiguan vs Tesla Model Y
What's the difference?

Volkswagen Tiguan

$36,990 - $75,990

2025 price

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Tesla Model Y

$58,900 - $89,400

2026 price

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Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mini Countryman

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Summary

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

2026 Tesla Model Y

By Tom White

By Andrew Chesterton

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 1.4L

Electric motor type

Permanent Magnet

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Vehicle type

Battery Electric

Fuel Efficiency

7.7L/100km (combined)

Electric range

681 km

Energy consumption

14.6 kWh/100km

Battery capacity

82.00 kWh

Seating

Likes

The driver's mid-size SUV
Straightforward, well-equipped range
Super practical cabin

Seriously practical
A seating layout that makes perfect sense
Long-distance driving range

Dislikes

Hybrid? Look elsewhere
One too many touch controls
Ride harsher than expected

Ride might be too firm for some
Compromised vision from driver's seat
Lack of Apple CarPlay a turn-off

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Summary

The third-generation Volkswagen Tiguan is likely to be the most important new vehicle Volkswagen launches in 2025.

The popular mid-sizer has proven to have impressive staying power for the brand, with the outgoing version still impressing buyers despite being nearly a decade old.

What does this ground-up new version change? Does it have what it takes to maintain the nameplate’s reputation in one of Australia’s most hotly contested market segments? And what are some surprises this time around?

We went to its local launch to find out.

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2026 Tesla Model Y Summary

This is the new Tesla Model Y L, of course, but before we even start I need to ask you a very important question.

How often, honestly, do you use all seven seats in your seven-seater? Or if you only have five seats, how often is there a human in every single one?

Rarely, if ever?

Yep, me too. So stick around, because this is, by far, the best family SUV seating layout. And one where there’ll finally be no fighting over who gets stuck with the dodgy seat.

And as a result, the six-seat Tesla Model Y L might just be among the best all-electric SUV offerings around.

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Deep dive comparison

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan 2026 Tesla Model Y

Verdict

The new Tiguan is as confident as ever in its identity, even in such a crowded mid-size SUV space where there are so many models worthy of your attention.

No matter which version you choose, this is still the mid-size SUV for a driving enthusiast who doesn’t quite have premium dollars to spend.

While it may not quite expand its appeal as much as the brand hopes precluding a hybrid variant, those who are choosing this as their family hauler for the right reasons won’t be disappointed.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

Verdict

If you like the five-seat Model Y, then you'll like the six-seat L version even more. I think this the best example of Tesla's electric SUV to date, and the cabin layout just makes a lot of sense, and would suit plenty of families who don't need to squeeze someone into a compromised middle seat.

Note: The author, Andrew Chesterton, is a co-owner of Smart As Media, a content agency and media distribution service with a number of automotive brands among its clients. When producing content for CarsGuide, he does so in accordance with the CarsGuide Editorial Guidelines and Code of Ethics, and the views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.

Volkswagen Tiguan vs Tesla Model Y What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Volkswagen Tiguan vs Tesla Model Y
What's the difference?