VW ID. Tiguan: Volkswagen renames ID.4 and reveals first images
Volkswagen has renamed the ID. 4 and ID.5 as expected to ID. Tiguan. By doing so, VW emphasizes the connection to the gasoline and hybrid Tiguan model — while also aiming to use a more emotionally resonant name that is already well-established, just as with the new ID. Polo and ID. Cross.
VW ID. Tiguan with camouflage finish
Image: Volkswagen
With the new VW ID. Tiguan, which will going forward “take over the role of the ID.4 and ID.5,” as Volkswagen puts it, the Wolfsburg-based company continues its strategy of using established brand names for electric vehicles instead of combining the abbreviation “ID.” with a number. Volkswagen adopted this approach a year ago when it renamed the previously known as ID.2 new electric city car the ID. Polo. The company states it now aims to draw inspiration from the names of “established bestsellers” for its electric vehicles. In reality, however, the E-SUV coupe ID.5 will be completely discontinued as part of this shift.
VW brand chief Thomas Schäfer said at the time, “Our model names are firmly rooted in people’s minds. They represent a strong brand and embody qualities such as quality, timeless design, and technology for everyone. That’s why we will carry our well-known names into the future. The ID. Polo is just the beginning.”
The VW ID. Tiguan builds on the strengths of the Tiguan.
Although the name change from ID. 4 to ID. Tiguan has been known since early 2026 through IG Metall Emden, Volkswagen Group has only now officially confirmed it. VW’s brand head, Schäfer, said regarding this: “Over 8.3 million produced Tiguan units demonstrate the strength and trust associated with this model name. Tiguan represents a versatile and high-quality vehicle, embodying True Volkswagen. With the ID. Tiguan, we carry this product promise into the electric future. The all-electric model builds on the strengths of this bestseller, offering a premium design, ample interior space, intuitive operation, and innovative technologies. Together, these two models provide a strong offering to meet the diverse driving needs of our customers.”
While the ID. 4 and ID. 5 still featured completely distinct designs, the VW ID. Tiguan and its internal combustion engine counterpart will look much more similar in the future. Just how similar they will be can be seen in a few days, as the world premiere of this new electric SUV is set for October.
First press photos with camouflage coating
A first glimpse of what the VW ID. Tiguan will look like was provided at the end of August in a short video by YouTuber Thomas Majchrzak on his channel “Autogefühl.” Now, Volkswagen has also released a series of press photos of the model — though they still feature a camouflage coating.
Photo: Volkswagen
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Despite the prominent pixelated camouflage pattern, some details can already be discerned: The front becomes more angular and features a continuous lighting signature—both characteristics of VW’s current design language that give the VW ID. Tiguan a robust appearance.
In side and rear views, VW abandons some of the playful details from earlier ID. models: Classic door handles and a clearly shaped trunk lid with a continuous lighting strip emphasize its practical SUV character. Combined with aerodynamically optimized wheels and a robust shoulder section, the ID. Tiguan appears significantly more dynamic and purposeful—resembling a blend of the previous ID. 4 and the conventional Tiguan.