Volkswagen is preparing to retire the ID.4 and ID.5 nameplates, with a new ID. Tiguan set to take their place as the brand reshuffles its electric vehicle range around more familiar model names.
Importantly, the ID. Tiguan won’t replace the existing Tiguan. Instead, Volkswagen will sell the two alongside each other, with the ID. Tiguan serving as the fully electric alternative while the regular Tiguan continues with combustion and hybrid powertrains.
It follows a similar strategy already announced for the ID. Polo and ID. Cross, as Volkswagen moves away from some of the numerical names used across its first generation of dedicated electric vehicles.
Although Volkswagen hasn’t released technical specifications yet, it says the ID. Tiguan is an entirely new model rather than simply a renamed ID.4. The company is also promising a more substantial exterior design, suggesting it will have the visual presence of an SUV from the class above.
The new model has some big shoes to fill. Volkswagen says more than 950,000 examples of the ID.4 and coupe-style ID.5 have been delivered since 2021.
The Tiguan name carries even more weight for the company. More than 8.3 million have been produced over its lifetime, and the Tiguan is currently Volkswagen’s best-selling model globally.
Volkswagen says the move towards familiar names is intended to make its electric range easier for customers to understand. In this case, the ID. Tiguan should make its positioning fairly obvious.
Camouflaged prototypes are currently undergoing final testing, with more detail expected to be rolled out soon. The new electric SUV will make its world debut in early October, ahead of its market launch at the beginning of 2027. Australian availability has not been detailed at this stage.
