The Volkswagen Tiguan was introduced into Volkswagen’s lineup as a crossover SUV in 2009 and remains available through the present. The Tiguan is known for its unique styling and for having the features consumers expect from today’s SUVs, including towing. But what is the towing capacity of a Volkswagen Tiguan?
The Volkswagen Tiguan has a towing capacity of up to 2,200 pounds depending on the model year.
There’s a bit more to know about Volkswagen Tiguan towing capabilities which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
2023 Volkswagen Tiguan Towing Capacity
The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan can tow 1,500 pounds across all trim levels.
A 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan S can pull 1,500 pounds.
A 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan SE can pull 1,500 pounds.
A 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan SE R-Line Black can pull 1,500 pounds.
A 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL can pull 1,500 pounds.
A 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL Premium R-Line can pull 1,500 pounds.
| Volkswagen TiguanModel Type | Towing Capacity |
| S | 1,500 lbs / 680 kg |
| SE | 1,500 lbs / 680 kg |
| SE R-Line Black | 1,500 lbs / 680 kg |
| SEL | 1,500 lbs / 680 kg |
| SEL Premium R-Line | 1,500 lbs / 680 kg |
You can also read our guide on what makes a vehicle towing capacity to learn all the aspects that go into it.
Here’s a video showing the Volkswagen Tiguan being put to a real-world towing test by Practical Caravan:
Volkswagen Tiguan Braked Vs. Unbraked Towing Capacity
All vehicles have different towing capacities based on whether or not you’re towing a trailer that has trailer brakes installed.
Trailer brakes allow the trailer to stop faster than if only the vehicle is using its brakes, allowing the vehicle to tow more weight, so braked towing capacity will always be higher than unbraked towing capacity.
Volkswagen Tiguan Braked Towing Capacity: 1,500 lbs.
Volkswagen Tiguan Unbraked Towing Capacity: 1,500 lbs.
Volkswagen Tiguan Towing Capacity Factors
There are a few factors that affect the Volkswagen Tiguan tow capacity.
Model Year
The Tiguan’s tow capability varied a bit by year and generation.
The early model years had a max towing capability of 2,200 pounds which decreased to 1,500 pounds in later years.
Number of Passengers
A big factor in calculating your vehicle’s towing capacity is how many passengers you’re carrying, which directly calculates into the vehicle’s GCWR.
This is true of all vehicles, not just the Volkswagen Tiguan, so always take into consideration the total load of your passengers and gear in addition to what you’re towing.
Volkswagen Tiguan Engine Specs
There is only one engine option for the most recent generation Volkswagen Tiguan.
Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0L Engine
The current Volkswagen Tiguan engine is a 2.0 Liter inline four-cylinder 16-valve DOHC turbocharged and intercooled engine paired with an eight-speed transmission.
This engine produces 184 horsepower and 221 lb.-ft of torque.
Volkswagen Tiguan Tow Package Info
Does The Volkswagen Tiguan Have A Tow Package?
Volkswagen offers a Tiguan towing package called the VW Trailer Hitch Kit which includes the following:
- Class II Hitch Receiver
- Trailer Ball and Mount
- 4-Pin Wiring Harness
- Bolt and Clip
Can You Install A Trailer Hitch On a Volkswagen Tiguan?
If you plan on towing anything with your Volkswagen Tiguan, you’ll need a tow hitch and wiring harness.
Depending on what you’re towing, you’re going to need a ball mount (aka a trailer ball hitch) so you can attach items for towing.
Make sure to get the right trailer ball size that matches your hitch and trailer.
Volkswagen Tiguan Tow Hitch
Trailer hitches come in different hitch classes, which are rated for different vehicle sizes and weight limits.
The Volkswagen Tiguan uses a Class 3 hitch.
Here’s a great option for a Class III Volkswagen Tiguan trailer hitch:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. This trailer hitch is rated for 3,500 lbs. gross trailer weight and 525 lbs. tongue weight (limited to lowest-rated towing component)
- VERSATILE DESIGN. This class 3 hitch equips your vehicle with a standard 2-inch x 2-inch hitch receiver, allowing for a wide variety of towing options. It can accept a ball mount, cargo carrier, bike rack, tow hook and much more
- FULLY TESTED. Every CURT class 3 trailer hitch design is tested in real-world, on-vehicle conditions at our Detroit engineering facility. Aftermarket hitches are tested according to SAE J684 standards for the utmost safety while hauling
- RUST, CHIP, UV-RESISTANT. This tow hitch is protected with a unique dual-coat finish of rust-resistant liquid A-coat and highly durable black powder coat. The two finishes are co-cured together for exceptional resistance to rust, chipping and UV rays
- EASY TO INSTALL. This hitch offers a custom, factory fit on select model years of the Volkswagen Tiguan
Here’s a great ball mount option so you can hook up different types of trailers for towing with your Tiguan:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. Rated to tow 3,500 pounds gross trailer weight and 350 pounds tongue weight, this ball hitch offers dependability for your towing setup (weight capacity may change if trailer ball is removed)
- VERSATILE USE. This trailer hitch ball mount comes with a 1-1/4-inch shank to fit virtually any industry-standard 1-1/4-inch receiver. The ball mount has a 3-1/4-inch drop, 2-inch diameter ball, 1/2-inch hitch pin hole and 7-1/4-inch overall length
- READY TO TOW. Hitching up your trailer is easy with this ready-to-use trailer hitch ball mount. It comes with a pre-attached tow ball for ready coupling and a trailer hitch pin to securely mount onto your hitch receiver
- CORROSION-RESISTANT. For long-lasting use, this ball hitch is protected with a durable black powder coat finish, and the trailer ball has a polished chrome plating. These finishes resist damage from rain, dirt, road salt and other corrosive threats
- EASY TO INSTALL. To install the trailer hitch ball mount on your vehicle, simply insert the shank into your vehicle's 1-1/4-inch hitch receiver. The rounded shank makes installation easy
Volkswagen Tiguan Trailer Hitch Installation
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions.
Here’s a great video walkthrough on a Volkswagen Tiguan trailer hitch installation:
Volkswagen Tiguan Trailer Hitch Installation Cost
If you’re considering having a tow hitch added to your Tiguan, expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have a tow package professionally installed (excluding the cost of the tow hitch and wiring harness).
If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness yourself.
Hitch Receiver Vs Rear Step Bumper Towing
Some vehicles allow for bumper towing, which means you can mount a tow hitch ball directly on the bumper instead of installing a tow hitch to the vehicle’s frame.
Can I Bumper Tow With a Volkswagen Tiguan?
The Volkswagen Tiguan is not rated for bumper towing, so you’ll need to install a frame-mounted hitch like the one we listed earlier in this guide.
How Do I Know If My Volkswagen Tiguan Has A Tow Package?
You can start by looking under the rear bumper of your Tiguan to see if you notice a trailer hitch or trailer ball.
That will give you a good indication of if you have a tow hitch already installed on your Tiguan.
Another way to research this is by checking the paperwork that came with your vehicle or taking it to a local dealer to see what’s installed.
Make sure to have your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) handy if you call the dealer so they can look up the exact specs and whether or not your vehicle has any towing packages or features installed on it.
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Towing Capacity
The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan can tow 1,500 pounds across all trim levels.
A 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan S can pull 1,500 pounds.
A 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SE can pull 1,500 pounds.
A 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SE R-Line Black can pull 1,500 pounds.
A 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL can pull 1,500 pounds.
A 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL Premium R-Line can pull 1,500 pounds.
| Volkswagen TiguanModel Type | Towing Capacity |
| S | 1,500 lbs / 680 kg |
| SE | 1,500 lbs / 680 kg |
| SE R-Line Black | 1,500 lbs / 680 kg |
| SEL | 1,500 lbs / 680 kg |
| SEL Premium R-Line | 1,500 lbs / 680 kg |
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Towing Capacity
The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan can tow 1,500 pounds across all trim levels.
| Volkswagen TiguanModel Type | Towing Capacity |
| All | 1,500 lbs / 680 kg |
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan Towing Capacity
The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan can tow 1,500 pounds across all trim levels.
| Volkswagen TiguanModel Type | Towing Capacity |
| All | 1,500 lbs / 680 kg |
2019 Volkswagen Tiguan Towing Capacity
The 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan can tow 1,500 pounds across all trim levels.
| Volkswagen TiguanModel Type | Towing Capacity |
| All | 1,500 lbs / 680 kg |
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Towing Capacity
The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan can tow 1,500 pounds across all trim levels.
| Volkswagen TiguanModel Type | Towing Capacity |
| All | 1,500 lbs / 680 kg |
2017 Volkswagen Tiguan Towing Capacity
The 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan can tow 2,200 lbs across all trim levels.
| Volkswagen TiguanModel Type | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,200 lbs / 997 kg |
2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Towing Capacity
The 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan can tow 2,200 lbs across all trim levels.
| Volkswagen TiguanModel Type | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,200 lbs / 997 kg |
2015 Volkswagen Tiguan Towing Capacity
The 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan can tow 2,200 lbs across all trim levels.
| Volkswagen TiguanModel Type | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg |
2014 Volkswagen Tiguan Towing Capacity
The 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan can tow 2,200 lbs across all trim levels.
| Volkswagen TiguanModel Type | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,200 lbs / 997 kg |
2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Towing Capacity
The 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan can tow 2,200 lbs across all trim levels.
| Volkswagen TiguanModel Type | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,200 lbs / 997 kg |
2012 Volkswagen Tiguan Towing Capacity
The 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan can tow 2,200 lbs across all trim levels.
| Volkswagen TiguanModel Type | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,200 lbs / 997 kg |
2011 Volkswagen Tiguan Towing Capacity
The 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan can tow 2,200 lbs across all trim levels.
| Volkswagen TiguanModel Type | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,200 lbs / 997 kg |
2010 Volkswagen Tiguan Towing Capacity
The 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan can tow 2,200 lbs across all trim levels.
| Volkswagen TiguanModel Type | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,200 lbs / 997 kg |
2009 Volkswagen Tiguan Towing Capacity
The 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan can tow 2,200 lbs across all trim levels.
| Volkswagen TiguanModel Type | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,200 lbs / 997 kg |
