Volkswagen’s electric lineup has had a naming problem for a while now. Quick, can you actually tell the difference between an ID.4 and an ID.5 off the top of your head?
If you had to pause and think, you’re definitely not alone. Fortunately, Volkswagen is switching to familiar model names that should make it much easier to know exactly what you’re buying.
The new ID. Tiguan joins the ID. Polo and ID. Cross to round out Volkswagen’s renewed electric lineup. Volkswagen plans to unveil it in early October, with European buyers able to get their hands on one starting early 2027. Until then, the test cars will stay hidden under camouflage wraps.
Volkswagen and the Tiguan name
Simply put, the name itself sells cars. No Volkswagen model performs better globally right now, whether you’re looking at the Volkswagen brand alone or the entire Volkswagen Group. The company has built over 8.3 million Tiguans to date, and last year, the Tiguan combined with its sibling model, the Tayron, moved more than one million units together.
Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand, said the ID. Tiguan carries that product promise forward into the electric future. He added that the electric version builds on everything that made the original bestseller popular, promising a premium look, generous interior space, simple controls, and modern technology throughout.
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Volkswagen also says the ID. Tiguan gets an entirely new design, one meant to make it look like it belongs a class above where it actually sits.
What Volkswagen says about the ID.4 and ID.5?
The ID. Tiguan steps in to replace both models, which is no small feat considering the outgoing duo has delivered more than 950,000 units since 2021, ranking among Volkswagen’s most successful EVs to date.
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If going electric isn’t quite for you yet, don’t worry. Volkswagen plans to keep selling the standard Tiguan alongside its electric sibling worldwide, offering petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid options for anyone not ready to make the switch.
If you live in Europe, the wait won’t be long. North American buyers will need more patience though, since Volkswagen has only confirmed the ID. Tiguan is coming there eventually, without committing to a specific date yet.
Personally, this shift makes a lot of sense. Choosing between electric and combustion is complicated enough without also decoding a confusing string of letters and numbers. With the ID. Tiguan, you get a name you already trust, and you simply pick whichever powertrain fits your needs. More details should surface in October.
