Volkswagen ID. Tiguan Brings Back Physical Controls and Retro Golf-Inspired Displays

Based on the images Volkswagen provided to Ars, the electric ID. Tiguan appears to get many important details right. The R-Line interior looks particularly appealing, but the bigger story is that Volkswagen seems to be responding to customer feedback.

Volkswagen ID. Tiguan Interior Returns to Physical Controls

The return to conventional door handles is welcome, even if the change was prompted by Chinese vehicle regulators. The electric Tiguan also appears to include plenty of physical controls, including real buttons on the steering wheel, dedicated switches for the air conditioning and windows, and physical air vents instead of computer-controlled ones.

The new 15-inch infotainment display looks impressive in the images, although its responsiveness will be crucial. Volkswagen will also offer a 12-inch display for the front passenger—a trend this writer remains unconvinced by. Grandpa Simpson shouts at the clouds.

Six Retro Instrument Display Themes

One of the most eye-catching features is an optional retro dial design for the new 10-inch digital instrument display. Rather than using only a supposedly 21st-century theme—which Volkswagen did not show in the press images—drivers can choose displays inspired by the Mk1 Golf, Mk2 Golf Country, Mk4 Golf, first-generation Tiguan, Racing Touareg, or Beetle.

It is not clear whether the Beetle theme represents the original rear-engined Beetle or the retro Beetle designed by J Mays in the late 1990s.

European Pre-Orders Begin Next Week

Pre-orders for the electric Volkswagen ID. Tiguan will begin next week in Europe. In Germany, the vehicle will start at 42,695 euros ($44,716).

Volkswagen has not announced a North American launch date. The company said: “Following the European ID and Tiguan launch in early 2027, the company will share North American launch timing, offer structure, pricing and other market-specific details in due course.”