The 9 Best Tires for the Volkswagen Tiguan

#1. Michelin CrossClimate 2

The Michelin CrossClimate 2 can benefit VW Tiguan drivers in various ways.

Start with improved handling and performance. As with Michelin’s other flagship all-season tires, the CrossClimate 2’s tread design is designed to offer ideal grip in dry and wet conditions. As such, it will make your Tiguan an even more reliable companion.

This tire may make your Tiguan’s already enjoyable ride even more lithe. How could I be so confident? Because I have driven this tire myself. Over the last decade, I have tested and reviewed dozens of tires. Only very few were as quiet and comfortable.

Next comes superb stability on snow and ice. Did you know that the CrossClimate 2 comes with the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) rating? This indicates that this all-season tire can safely carry you from point A to point B on snow-laden roads. 

Then there is the ability to keep going year after year. A 60,000-mile treadwear warranty indicates that an average American driver can easily get 4 years out of this tire. That time seems just about right, considering that it’s astronomically expensive.

#2. Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 4

Several qualities make the Pilot Sport A/S 4 an exciting pick for VW drivers.

The first of which is that it performs reliably year-round. A flexible tread compound, combined with aggressive sipes (biting edges) makes sure of that. As such, whether your regular driving routine involves dry, wet, or even snowy roads, this tire has you covered.

Wet performance is another area where this tire shines, thanks mainly to the exceptionally wide grooves (vis-à-vis other all-season tires) and rain channels. Both these design elements will turn this tire and, by extension, your Tiguan into a reliable rain performer.

Its dry handling isn’t far behind. This shouldn’t be surprising considering it’s part of Michelin’s popular Pilot tire family, renowned for its high-performance tires. Various models of this lineup – Pilot Sport 4, 5, and many more – lead the class of ultra HP tires.

Speaking of UHP tires, there’s one thing about them I don’t like – a limited treadwear warranty. Unfortunately, the Pilot Sport AS 4 also has this drawback.

#3. Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus A/S

The ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus isn’t your average all-season high-performance tire.

Unlike many of its rivals, this model doesn’t just offer a reliable driving experience on dry and wet roads. Thanks to the pliable tread compound (vis-à-vis other all-season tires) and macro edges, it also offers excellent stability on snow and ice.

Moreover, its comfort and noise levels are higher than the competition. That is especially the case when you compare it with other A/S HP tires. Most of which prefer driving dynamics over refinement. Luckily, the DWS 06 Plus strikes the balance.

This tire’s dry traction almost matches that of summer tires. Again, that is something you don’t usually get from this class. While most high-performance all-season tires offer better road grip than A/S tires, they still fall way short of the summer performance tires.

Fortunately, the ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus narrows that divide. That too while offering the treadwear warranty (up to 50,000 miles on certain sizes) you don’t usually get on A/S HP tires.

#4. Continental ProContact TX

Even if they don’t say it out loud, every Tiguan owner knows in their heart that this SUV could do with more power. The lack of a powerful engine means that this compact crossover isn’t as good at accelerating from the stop as some of its rival SUVs.

Luckily, that is one problem the Continental ProContact TX can solve. With a rolling resistance that is among the lowest in class, this tire doesn’t need too much power to ride the wind. This enables it to fulfill the Tiguan’s acute need for more power.

Another ride-related weakness of the Tiguan is that its seats are firm. Guess what? The ProContact TX can mitigate that drawback as well. How’s that so? This tire has the ability to soften vibrations and deflect road noise before they can enter the cabin.

Lastly, while it’s true that the Tiguan drives best when it’s in the ‘Normal’ mode. Installing the ProContact TX can still give you some thrills behind the wheel. This model is nicely responsive for an all-season tire and offers confidence-inspiring grip levels.

Unfortunately, a limited size range means it may not fit every single VW Tiguan on the road. Only buy this tire if you’re fully sure it will fit your model.

#5. Nokian WR G4

The Nokian WR G4 is one of the market’s most underrated all-weather tires.

Mainly because of the brand it comes from. Nokian, as everyone already knows, is the market leader in the winter tire category. What most people don’t realize is that its all-weather tires, especially the WR G4, are equally good. Especially if you only drive on paved roads.

A dual-performance tread compound (one part for dry roads, another for slippery surfaces) helps this model perform equally well in the summer and winter months. On top of that, it enhances this tire’s wear resistance. The result is even wearing for an extended road life.

Like other tires from this brand, the WR G4 has aramid fiber in its sidewall. This has steeled this tire against cuts, punctures, and chips. Small wonder, then, that Nokian backs this tire with a 5-year workmanship and material defects guarantee.

No other all-weather tire comes with such an extended warranty. Another thing most tires in this category cannot claim to have is a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty. Probably because most all-weather tires suffer too uneven a wear to last as long.

#6. Hankook S1 Evo3 SUV

Didn’t anticipate finding a Hankook tire on this list? Your fellow Tiguan owners, especially those with Tiguan-driving friends, may not share your disbelief.

Mainly because the S1 Evo3 SUV already has the acceptance of many Tiguan drivers. This shouldn’t be surprising considering what this tire is capable of – super-short dry and wet braking distances, an easy-to-control drive, and an affordable asking price.

Another thing that might have made this tire endearing to your fellow Tiguan drivers is that its rubber is vulcanized at lower temperatures. The result? By going for this approach, Hankook has developed an HP tire that can stay useful in colder weather.

The S1 Evo3 SUV also performs decently on wet roads. The credit for this goes to the inner zone pattern (that helps raise aquaplaning resistance) and interlocking grooves. The grooves improve this tire’s traction on damp roads while also channeling water.

Yet there is one area where the budget asking price shows (and I’m not saying this in a complementary way). This tire’s handling won’t make you feel as if you’re driving a performance tire.

#7. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV

While some people believe that performance tires can be an overkill for Tiguan, premium models like the Pilot Sport 4 SUV show that isn’t always the case.

This model won’t just bring noticeable improvements in braking, acceleration, and handling (though many Tiguan owners I know would be more than satisfied with these enhancements).

The Pilot Sport 4 will also let you attack bends at speed. This model’s cornering grip is so high you won’t have to slow down a lot when taking turns. Its steering response is equally high, meaning you’d be able to execute quick lane changes with complete confidence.

And what about wet roads? Will it struggle there? No chance. The combination of internal grooves (for evacuating water) and biting edges (for added grip) make sure of that.  Thanks to the duo, the Pilot Sport 4 SUV’s wet performance can be described as best-in-class.

To further sweeten the deal, Michelin backs the Pilot Sport 4 SUV with a 20,000-mile treadwear warranty. That is 20,000 miles more than what you get on most tires in this segment.

#8. Michelin X Ice Xi3

The X Ice Xi3 offers everything you expect from a premium winter tire.

The first of which is a rubber compound that stays pliable year-round. This, in turn, makes sure that the tire stays usable, regardless of how much snow there is on the road.

Another is the directional tread pattern. Together with the Cross Z Sipes, it enhances this tire’s traction on slippery surfaces, such as the one you drive on in harsh wintry conditions.

Then come the circumferential grooves. These channels make sure that any water inside the tread is evacuated before the risk of aquaplaning becomes too real to ignore.

The area where this tire surprises the most is the warranty. Or, to be more precise, a 40,000-mile treadwear warranty. Why am I amazed? Because most winter tires don’t come with a mileage guarantee whatsoever. Let alone one that could rival that of all-season tires.

#9. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 SUV

Need the best possible traction and braking performance this coming winter? The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 must be on your shortlist.

Released in early 2021, this tire features several improvements over the Hakkapeliitta 9, the previous market leader in the category. These include much shorter braking distances on snow and ice, added traction (and thus safety) and availability in more sizes.

Nokian has also put more rubber on the base of this tire. This is to ensure that the studs (yes, it does come with built-in studs) have something extra to latch on to. As such, the problem of stud separation (a common issue with studded tires) is reduced here.

Another thing that may pique your interest in this tire is its excellent fuel efficiency. You may also find it good to note that it’s quiet for a tire in this class. Unfortunately, though, Silent Drive Technology (the main force behind its quietness) only comes on EV tires.