Our experts share their first impressions of the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan. We break down Volkswagen’s latest improvements, explore how the Tiguan stacks up in the crowded compact SUV segment, and explain why its redesign gives it a more refined, “grown-up” feel. Plus, we answer your questions about airbag deployment and recommend the best vehicle for a tall, traveling hockey family.

Test results here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Exclusive CR discount for Talking Cars viewers: https://www.cr.org/jointalkingcars?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

SHOW NOTES:

0:00: Intro

0:24: 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Overview

2:15: First Impressions

9:28: Volkswagen reliability

12:12: Pricing and competing vehicles

14:51: Question #1: Do airbags deploy if a driver is pressing the horn?

19:51: Question #2: What’s the best vehicle for a growing family of six?

This week, we discuss the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9. This sleek, futuristic-looking three-row electric vehicle shares its basic technology and design with the Kia EV9. We cover the similarities and differences between the two vehicles, share our driving experiences, and lament (once again) the use case of electronic door handles. We also answer questions about fuel savings on hybrid vehicles and the longevity of plug-in hybrid vehicle batteries.  

Test results here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Exclusive CR discount for Talking Cars viewers: https://www.cr.org/jointalkingcars?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

SHOW NOTES:

0:00: Intro

0:17:  Hyundai Ioniq 9 overview

5:26: EV Charging

7:50: Interior, controls, and cabin storage

16:50: Access

21:57: Regenerative braking

26:22: Driving impressions

29:27: Safety systems

33:50: Hyundai Ionia 9 vs. Kia EV9

37:35: Question #1: Is buying a hybrid still a better choice than a non-hybrid?

42:50:  Question #2: Does daily charging degrade a PHEV battery quicker?