2012 Volkswagen Tiguan MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan is rated 21 to 24 mpg combined across 3 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.0L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan · 3 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

24MPG combined

22 city 26 highway

$3,400 a year to fuel

2.0L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic

Best version costs $5,000 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $5.48 a gallon (premium gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Sep 30, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $3,400 to $3,900 a year. Compared with 2011, the best gas version is up 2 mpg.

Fewer complaints than a typical Tiguan year

The 2012 drew 32 owner complaints in its first three years, against about 42 for a typical Tiguan year. Best years are picked only from 2016 on, since counts for older years say less: owners filed fewer complaints in the early 2010s.

Years to avoid: 2018 and 2022; best year: 2017. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Tiguan year ranked The 2012 Tiguan's recalls and problems

Every 2012 Tiguan version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic Best EPA listing: Tiguan · Premium fuel	24 mpg	22 / 26	$3,400
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Tiguan 4motion · Premium fuel	23 mpg	21 / 26	$3,550
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual EPA listing: Tiguan · Premium fuel	21 mpg	18 / 26	$3,900

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $5.48 a gallon for premium gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$3,425	$285	$17,125
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic	$3,574	$298	$17,870
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual	$3,914	$326	$19,571

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Volkswagen Tiguan MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 21 to 29 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2026); 29 since 2025.

2012: gas 24 mpg

Show as a table

Volkswagen Tiguan best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version
2010	21
2011	22
2012	24
2013	23
2014	23
2015	23
2016	23
2017	22
2018	24
2019	25
2020	25
2021	25
2022	26
2023	27
2024	27
2025	29
2026	29

Every Tiguan year's ratings in one table

How the 2012 Tiguan compares

2012 compact SUVs covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2012 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Ford Escape Best: hybrid	32 mpg	25 mpg	$2,100
Honda CR-V Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,600
Chevrolet Equinox Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,600
GMC Terrain Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,600
Nissan Rogue Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,700
Hyundai Tucson Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,700
Kia Sportage Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,700
Jeep Compass Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,700
Toyota RAV4 Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$1,000
Subaru Outback Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,800
Volkswagen Tiguan This page Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$3,400
Subaru Forester Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,900

2012 Tiguan recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 153 owner complaints for the 2012 Tiguan.

Owners most often describe stalling (23 complaints, 15%), then the airbag warning light (18).

See the 2012 Tiguan recalls and problems

Questions

Does the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan need premium gas?

Yes. EPA lists the 2.0L turbo 4-cyl versions on premium.

How does the 2012 Tiguan's MPG compare with the 2011?

For 2012, the best gas version is rated 24 mpg, up 2 from 22.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Sep 29, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.47, midgrade $5.07, premium $5.48, diesel $6.38 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Oct 2, 2026 and complaint file dated Oct 2, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.