Tiguan overtakes Golf as VW’s top seller worldwide, facelift due next year

To celebrate the milestone, Volkswagen has released a teaser image of the styling themes of the updated Tiguan due in 2021.

Volkswagen produced its six-millionth Tiguan earlier this year – after introducing the nameplate in 2007. Over the past 12 years, annual production of the Tiguan has increased by more than seven times the original factory output – growing from 120,000 in 2007 to 910,926 in 2019.

Last year, the Tiguan outsold the Golf for the first time ever (778,000 Tiguans globally versus 702,000 Golfs). In 2018, Volkswagen sold 731,000 Golf hatchbacks versus 622,500 Tiguan SUVs.

Although the Golf remains one of the Top 15 selling vehicles globally, data from sales analyst Jato shows demand for the Golf has been in decline for the past four years in a row in Europe and China – and the past two years in a row in the US – as the world embraces SUVs.

However, the Volkswagen Golf remains the company's best seller in its current line-up when historical data is compiled.

As of March 2019, Volkswagen had recorded 35 million Golf cars as sold since its introduction in 1974. By comparison, Volkswagen sold more than 21.5 million Beetles and 10 million Kombi vans globally during their production run, however those models are no longer produced.

The 2021 Tiguan will launch in Europe later this year, however Volkswagen Australia predicts – due to disruptions caused by COVID-19 – that the revised Tiguan won't see Australia until some time next year.

"With factories re-starting from next week, we'd say early Q2 2021 for (arrival of) the updated Tiguan," a Volkswagen Australia spokesperson told Drive.

The media statement issued by Volkswagen – which accompanied the above rendering – said the updated Tiguan will also include a “redesigned interior and new powertrains”, though the company did not outline what new engines are coming.

Whether Australia would adopt any new engines – given our poor quality fuel versus Europe – remains unclear.

"It's too soon to discuss [Tiguan] specifications and pricing," Volkswagen Australia told Drive.

The updated Tiguan is set to receive Volkswagen’s MIB3 infotainment for the first time. In Volkswagen Passat guise, the system comes in either a 8.0-inch or 9.2-inch touchscreen, featuring over-the-air technology and Apple CarPlay.

A plug-in hybrid powertrain is also slated for release in European markets, however the tech remains unconfirmed for Australia.