VW ID. Tiguan: Volkswagen renames ID.4 and releases first images

Volkswagen is renaming the ID.4 and ID.5 to ID. Tiguan as expected. This move underscores VW's intention to emphasize the relationship with the combustion-engine and hybrid Tiguan model — while also aiming, as with the new ID. Polo and ID. Cross, to use a more emotional and already well-established name.

VW ID. Tiguan in camouflage wrap

Image: Volkswagen

With the new VW ID. Tiguan, which will “take on the role of ID.4 and ID.5“, as Volkswagen puts it, the German carmaking giant is continuing its strategy of using established model names for electric vehicles instead of the “ID.” prefix combined with a number. Volkswagen embarked on this path a year ago when it renamed the new electric compact car the ID. Polo, previously known by the working title ID.2. The company now wants to connect its electric vehicles to the names of its “established bestsellers”.

At the time, VW brand chief Thomas Schäfer explained that the carmaker’s model names are firmly anchored in people’s minds, representing a strong brand and embodying qualities such as “quality, timeless design and technology for all”. The company will carry its well-known names into the future, for which the ID. Polo was just the beginning.

VW ID. Tiguan draws on the strengths of the Tiguan

Although the name change from ID.4 and its coupé derivative ID.5 to ID. Tiguan has essentially been known since early 2026, the Volkswagen Group has only now officially confirmed it, thanks to IG Metall Emden. VW brand chief Schäfer currently states: “More than 8.3 million Tiguan vehicles produced demonstrate the strength and trust associated with this model name. The Tiguan represents a versatile, premium vehicle and embodies the essence of True Volkswagen. With the ID. Tiguan, we are carrying this product promise into the electric future. The all-electric model builds on the strengths of the bestseller and offers premium design, generous space, intuitive operation and innovative technologies. Together, both models form a strong offering for our customers’ different powertrain preferences”

While the ID.4 and ID.5 still had a completely independent design, the VW ID. Tiguan and its internal combustion engine counterpart will look significantly more similar in the future. Just how similar will become clear in a few days, as the world premiere of the new electric SUV is set to take place in October.

First press photos with camouflage wrapping

A first impression of what the VW ID. Tiguan will look like was already 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 so far still with camouflage wrapping.

Image: Volkswagen

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Despite the striking pixel camouflage, some details are already visible. The front becomes more angular and features a continuous light signature — both characteristics of the current VW design language, which gives the VW ID. Tiguan a more robust appearance.

In the side and rear views, VW breaks away from some of the playful details of the earlier ID. models: classic door handles and a more clearly contoured tailgate with a continuous light strip emphasise the down-to-earth SUV character. Combined with the aerodynamically optimised wheels and the strong shoulder line, the ID. Tiguan appears significantly more dynamic and purposefully designed — and looks like a blend of the previous ID.4 and the combustion-engine Tiguan.