2021 Volkswagen Tiguan MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan is rated 24 to 25 mpg combined across 2 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.0L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2021 Volkswagen Tiguan · 2 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

25MPG combined

23 city 29 highway

$2,500 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score5/10

2.0L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automatic

Best version costs $1,500 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.00 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Nov 12, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,500 to $2,600 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2020.

Fewer complaints than a typical Tiguan year

The 2021 drew 35 owner complaints in its first three years, against about 42 for a typical Tiguan year.

Years to avoid: 2018 and 2022; best years: 2016 and 2017. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Tiguan year ranked The 2021 Tiguan's recalls and problems

Every 2021 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 · 8-speed automatic Best EPA listing: Tiguan	25 mpg	23 / 29	$2,500
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · 8-speed automatic EPA listing: Tiguan 4motion	24 mpg	21 / 27	$2,600

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.00 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automatic	$2,400	$200	$12,000
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · 8-speed automatic	$2,500	$208	$12,500

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.

2021: gas 25 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 2021 Tiguan compares

2021 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.

2021 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Ford Escape Best: hybrid	41 mpg	30 mpg	$1,500
Toyota RAV4 Best: hybrid	40 mpg	30 mpg	$1,550
Honda CR-V Best: hybrid	38 mpg	30 mpg	$1,650
Nissan Rogue Best: gas	33 mpg	33 mpg	$1,900
Subaru Outback Best: gas	29 mpg	29 mpg	$2,150
Subaru Forester Best: gas	29 mpg	29 mpg	$2,150
Chevrolet Equinox Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
Mazda CX-5 Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
GMC Terrain Best: gas	27 mpg	27 mpg	$2,300
Kia Sportage Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
Jeep Cherokee Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
Ford Bronco Sport Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
Hyundai Tucson Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,500
Jeep Compass Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,500
Volkswagen Tiguan This page Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,500

2021 Tiguan recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 146 owner complaints for the 2021 Tiguan.

Owners most often describe excessive oil consumption (21 complaints, 14%), then oil leaks (19). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 5 stars.

See the 2021 Tiguan recalls and problems

Questions

Does the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2021 Tiguan's MPG compare with the 2020?

For 2021, the best gas version is rated 25 mpg, the same as the year before.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Nov 4, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.00, midgrade $4.61, premium $5.01, diesel $6.13 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Nov 12, 2026 and complaint file dated Nov 11, 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.