2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Priced From $26,245, Third Row Costs 500 Times More Than Challenger Demon's Second Row

Volkswagen of America announced pricing for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan starts at $26,245, including fees, when the second-generation small crossover arrives at U.S. dealers this summer.

Volkswagen will charge $500 for an optional third row of seats for buyers who are selecting 4Motion all-wheel drive. Front-wheel drive 2018 Tiguans include the third row as standard equipment

Base Tiguan pricing increases by only $385 compared with the 2017 model, another sign that Volkswagen plans to move the first-generation Tiguan — which takes the Tiguan Limited name — downmarket.

The top-spec 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan’s U.S. price, when every option and package plus all-wheel drive and a third row are added to the SEL Premium trim, climbs to $40,445.

All-wheel drive, with four selectable modes, is a $1,300 option on each of the Tiguan’s four trim levels: S, SE, SEL, and SEL Premium.

To the S’s standard equipment (6.5-inch touchscreenm 17-inch alloys, LED daytime running lights, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto) the $29,980 Tiguan SE adds an 8.0-inch touchscreen, proximity access with push-button start, dual-zone automatic climatr control, leatherette seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, rear traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring are also standard on the SE — they cost $850 as a Driver Assistance Package on the Tiguan S.

The $33,450 SEL swaps the 17-inch wheels for 18s and adds navigation, a power tailgate, remote start, a panoramic sunroof (that costs $1,200 on the Tiguan SE), and adaptive cruise control. At the top of the heap, the $37,150 Tiguan SEL Premium exchanges the 18-inch wheels for 19-inch wheels and adds adaptive front-lighting, rain-sensing wipers, a hands-free power tailgate, a heated steering wheel, and leather seating. The SEL Premium also includes lane departure warning with lane assist, auto high beams, ParkPilot, an overhead view camera, Fender audio, and a 12.3-inch Digital Cockpit display in the gauge cluster.

For $1,795, the Tiguan SEL can add an R-Line package with sportier exterior design elements and ParkPilot. The R-Line package is $1,495 extra on the SEL Premium, which already includes ParkPilot. The R-Line package won’t be available at launch.

All Tiguans bound for the United States are fitted with a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, producing 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, that makes less horsepower than the old Tiguan’s 2.0T but more torque.

With nearly a foot of extra length, the new Tiguan promises 58-percent more cargo volume. Launched with the larger Atlas in May, the Tiguan also inclues a six-year/72,000-mile comprehensive warranty.

Prices for the 2017 Honda CR-V, America’s top-selling utility vehicle in each of the last five years and a prime Tiguan rival, start at $24,985 and top out at $34,735. The CR-V, of course, doesn’t offer a third row of seating, let alone come standard with sixth and seventh seats.

The Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, is America’s top-selling utility vehicle through 2017’s first five months. A Family Package drives the base 2017 Rogue’s price up to $26,570, $325 more than the entry-level 2018 Tiguan S.

Timothy Cain is a contributing analyst at The Truth About Cars and Autofocus.ca and the founder and former editor of GoodCarBadCar.net. Follow on Twitter @timcaincars.