The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan: A Detailed Trim Guide

You’ve had it with those bland SUVs; you want something else, something extraordinary. For an SUV that will enhance your everyday drive, look no further than the Volkswagen lineup and the midsize Tiguan, and for those on the hunt for an exceptional VW Tiguan for sale, look no further than our extensive selection here at Bud Clary Auburn Volkswagen. The Tiguan is a prominent SUV in the VW lineup, and for over fifteen years, Volkswagen drivers have had the opportunity to drive the penultimate midsize SUV that harnesses the power and efficiency you’d expect from a versatile yet moderately-sized vehicle. At Bud Clary Auburn Volkswagen, we have all the information you’re looking for now that the time has come to buy your Tiguan to bring home to the family. Today, we’ve compiled a trim guide so that you know what is available when you opt for one of the 2023 lineup’s four trim levels.
The four trim levels you can customize your Tiguan cover a range of amenities from the simplest comforts to the more premium affair, but we’ll get to all that. All you need to know is that the Volkswagen Tiguan considers different drivers, including their wants and needs. How customizable is the Tiguan, and how far does the dollar stretch? Throughout the four trim levels: the S, SE, SE R–Line Black, and SEL R-Line, the price is raised incrementally, but the top-line trim is a bit more than $10,000 above the base model, with a starting MSRP of $37,680.[a] That may sound like a lot, but going from the standard arrangement to the premium top-of-the-line model with all the bells and whistles is rather impressive, in retrospect. Are you ready to start the trim guide? Let’s get going.
The Tiguan S
Everything starts somewhere, and in the case of the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan, the S trim lays the foundation of what Volkswagen plans to provide owners of this SUV with. Being the entry-level trim means it has the advantage of offering drivers the cheapest barrier to entry, and in the case of the Tiguan S, it sits at thousands of dollars less than the succeeding trim, the SE. The 2023 Tiguan S has a starting price of $26,950, which makes it one of Volkswagen’s more cost-effective SUVs.[a]
Does being one of most affordable new SUV models in the VW lineup have any major detractors? For the most part, no, but why is that? Compared to the most popular automotive manufacturers, Volkswagen is a premium brand with various luxurious aspects crafted into vehicles built with exceptional German engineering. Best of all, Volkswagen vehicles often won’t break the bank, and the Tiguan, and the S trim, by extension, are prime examples of this. What can you expect with your 2023 Tiguan S?
The 2023 Tiguan S comes with a wealth of features, more than you may expect from a base model trim. For example, the Tiguan S comes with various safety features, but the most notable inclusion is the Active Blind Spot Monitor and Front Assist as part of the optional IQ.DRIVE system. Having features like an Active Blind Spot Monitor available to the base trim is extremely useful because most big-name automotive manufacturers that produce integrated safety suites reserve features like this for higher-tier trims, but not here. The Tiguan S is also perfect for families because the standard arrangement calls for a maximum capacity of seven passengers, with those in the second-row captain’s chairs having air vents for comfort. The front-row passenger also has manual height controls rather than the traditional 2-way seat you’d find elsewhere.

The Tiguan SE
The 2023 Tiguan SE takes the foundation the S starts but cranks up the luxury with various features that make the SE notably stand out against the S. The 2023 Tiguan SE starts at $30,580, so you’ll be paying a few thousand dollars more than you would with the S, but we assure you, those who are looking for a Tiguan experience but with extra bells and whistles, then higher-tier trim levels like the SE are well worth it.[a]
The Tiguan SE isn’t shy of quality-of-life improvements, such as a remote power rear liftgate; with it, you‘ll never have to worry about reaching down and lifting the handle if your hands are full of groceries. Also coming with the Tiguan SE are V-Tex leatherette seats with a matching leatherette steering wheel, an optional sunroof to make your cabin feel more open and spacious, and much more.
With your 2023 Tiguan SE, other quality-of-life improvements include a wireless charging pad for compatible devices. Thanks to wireless charging, your phone won’t take up the USB port linked to the infotainment center. Speaking of which, the SE swaps out the infotainment center’s base 6.5-inch screen found on the S for an 8-inch one. What doesn’t change is the powertrain configuration, but this isn’t an issue because the standard turbocharged 2.0L I-4 engine provides excellent performance with its 184 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque and is linked to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The Tiguan SE R-Line Black
The 2023 Tiguan SE R-Line Black is much like the previously mentioned SE, but what does the ‘R-Line’ moniker represent? What you can expect with the 2023 Tiguan SE R-Line is an off-road focused take on the Tiguan, but what truly makes the SE R-Line Black stand out are the features that come standard and its distinctive exterior styling that Volkswagen doesn’t replicate on other Tiguan models.
The SE R-Line Black has various external differences, but the most visually appealing is the black trims stationed around the vehicle in various areas like the front bumper and grille, among others. Also, staying with the SE R-Line Black’s distinctive style is a matching leather-wrapped steering wheel with more exclusive styling, but your cabin will already be an immersive and customizable experience; thanks to multi-color adjustable ambient lighting, you can change to your liking. The SE R-Line Black also comes with 19-inch alloy wheels equipped with all-season tires that are perfect for a variety of conditions.

The Tiguan SEL R-Line
If you purchase the SEL R-Line, it means you’re looking for the top-end Tiguan model with all the standard amenities you could hope for at an affordable MSRP of $37,680.[a] There are many advantages to the SEL R-Line, but there’s also something worth noting; if you have a large family and require the third row of seats, you’ll want to opt for a different trim because the Tiguan SEL R-Line only allows for a maximum of five passengers.
Some of the features that help the SEL R-Line stand out from the crowd include premium aesthetic features, such as one cohesive light bar that wraps the front grille of the SUV, lending it a substantially modern appearance. Something you’ll also notice between the SEL R-Line and the other three trims is the 20-inch alloy wheels that are bigger than the wheels of the other trims, including the SE R-Line Black with its 19-inch wheels. It also comes with 4MOTION AWD with Active Control and Driving Mode Selection, making it easy to tackle a variety of driving conditions, with modes such as snow, on-road, off-road, and off-road custom.
Features that undoubtedly make the SEL R-Line a more premium-feeling Tiguan model include the addition of genuine leather seats that replace the leatherette seats we mentioned earlier. In addition to the heated seats that come standard with the Tiguan, these seats are also ventilated, which helps you stay cool when the weather gets too hot. Your front-row passenger is also treated to a power-adjustable seat. To make the Tiguan more luxurious and your music-listening experience exceptional, the SEL R-Line has a far better speaker system, and the large 10.25-inch digital cluster allows for a better view of your speedometer and other gauges than the 8-inch cluster the Tiguan comes standard with.
A Tiguan for Every Type of Driver
We believe there’s no wrong answer to which Tiguan trim you should purchase. What’s important to consider when you’re purchasing any vehicle is to consider what you want and need your SUV to accomplish for you, but most importantly, you should consider your financial situation before you make your decision. Whatever your choice is, you’ll be pleased with the Tiguan, and at Bud Clary Auburn Volkswagen, we can find you the ideal trim that is sure to meet your unique driving needs. Come in today and allow our friendly and knowledgeable sales team help you find the perfect Tiguan model.
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