Volkswagen has officially started series production of the all-electric ID. Tiguan at its Emden factory in Germany, marking an important step in the company’s electric vehicle strategy. The new electric SUV will replace the ID.4 and ID.5 in Volkswagen’s lineup, with the first customer deliveries scheduled for early 2027.
The production launch comes just weeks after the ID. Tiguan made its world debut in October 2026. Volkswagen has already received several thousand pre-orders since its unveiling, suggesting strong initial interest in the electric SUV.
The first production vehicle, finished in Olive Bronze Metallic, rolled off the assembly line on November 12, 2026, at the Emden facility. The factory will gradually increase production over the coming weeks to meet expected demand.
Volkswagen ID. Tiguan Replaces the ID.4 and ID.5
The ID. Tiguan represents a major change in Volkswagen’s electric SUV strategy. Rather than continuing with its numerical naming system, the company is bringing one of its most recognizable vehicle names into its fully electric lineup.
The new model succeeds both the ID.4 and the coupe-style ID.5, consolidating their positions into a single electric SUV. However, Volkswagen does not currently plan to introduce a separate coupe version of the ID. Tiguan.
The decision makes sense given the popularity of the traditional Tiguan nameplate. More than eight million Tiguans have been produced worldwide, making it one of Volkswagen’s most successful models.
By using the familiar Tiguan name for its electric successor, Volkswagen hopes to make the transition to electric mobility more appealing to customers who already recognize and trust the brand.
The ID.4 and ID.5 have also played an important role in Volkswagen’s electric vehicle expansion, with more than 950,000 combined vehicles delivered since 2021.
New Design and a More Practical Interior
The Volkswagen ID. Tiguan introduces a significantly revised exterior compared with the ID.4. Developed around the company’s Pure Positive design philosophy, the electric SUV adopts a more upright and muscular appearance.
Its front end looks wider, while sharper body lines and more traditional SUV proportions give it a stronger road presence. Volkswagen has also replaced the previous flush door handles with conventional pull-style handles, addressing one of the practical details that divided opinions among ID.4 owners.
The interior receives substantial improvements as well. Volkswagen has brought back physical buttons and controls, responding to customer feedback about the heavy reliance on touch-sensitive surfaces in earlier ID models.
The dashboard features a 10-inch Digital Cockpit for the driver and a 15-inch central infotainment touchscreen. A 12-inch passenger display is also available, introducing additional entertainment and information features for the front passenger.
Other practical features include a 32-liter front trunk and a rear luggage compartment offering up to 534 liters of storage space.
Volkswagen has also introduced a Retro Mode feature that allows drivers to display classic instrument graphics inspired by historic Volkswagen models.
Three Powertrain Options and Up to 600 km of Range
The new ID. Tiguan uses Volkswagen’s updated MEB+ electric vehicle platform and will be available with three powertrain configurations.
The entry-level version combines a 58 kWh battery with a rear-mounted electric motor producing 140 kW (190 horsepower).
Customers looking for additional performance and driving range can choose a rear-wheel-drive version equipped with a larger 77 kWh battery and a 210 kW (286 hp) electric motor.
At the top of the lineup, the ID. Tiguan offers a dual-motor 4MOTION all-wheel-drive configuration. This version produces 220 kW (299 hp) and also uses the 77 kWh battery.
Depending on the selected configuration, Volkswagen quotes a WLTP driving range of up to 600 kilometers (373 miles) on a single charge.
The battery and motor combinations are designed to offer different balances between affordability, performance, and everyday usability.
Charging performance, however, could be an area where the new electric SUV faces criticism. According to the published specifications, the 58 kWh LFP battery supports DC fast charging at up to 105 kW, while the larger 77 kWh NMC battery reaches a maximum of 165 kW.
These figures are relatively modest compared with some newer electric SUVs, particularly in a market where faster charging capabilities are becoming increasingly important.
The ID. Tiguan also offers practical capabilities beyond its electric range. Towing capacity reaches up to 1,800 kg with the smaller battery and 2,000 kg with the larger battery, making it a potentially useful option for families who need to tow trailers or recreational equipment.
Volkswagen’s Emden Factory Takes Another Important Step Toward Electrification
The start of ID. Tiguan production is also significant for Volkswagen’s Emden manufacturing facility.
Located in northern Germany, the factory has undergone a major transformation to focus on electric vehicle production. It currently builds the ID. Tiguan alongside the larger ID.7 and ID.7 Tourer.
Volkswagen says more than 500,000 electric vehicles have already been produced at the Emden facility.
The production launch also comes as the company continues to restructure its manufacturing operations and adjust production capacity to changing demand for electric vehicles.
For the Emden plant, the ID. Tiguan is expected to become an important model for maintaining production volumes and securing the facility’s long-term future.
The new electric SUV is therefore important not only for Volkswagen’s product lineup but also for the employees and wider automotive industry in the region.
When Will the Volkswagen ID. Tiguan Go on Sale?
Although series production has now started, European customers will have to wait until early 2027 for the first deliveries.
Volkswagen is gradually increasing production at Emden, with several thousand pre-orders already recorded following the vehicle’s October unveiling.
North American availability is also planned, with the ID. Tiguan expected to succeed the ID.4 in the US market. Volkswagen has not yet confirmed a specific launch date or detailed US-market specifications.
The transition is particularly notable because Volkswagen ended ID.4 production at its Chattanooga, Tennessee, facility in April 2026. Future North American versions of the electric SUV are therefore expected to be supplied from Germany.
