Why are there fewer buyers for the imported Tiguan?

[McAaliyah]

There are fewer buyers for the imported Tiguan due to its lack of price advantage. Below are the specific details of the imported Tiguan: 1. Safety Features: The Tiguan comes standard with side airbags + knee airbags, electronic stability control, electronic differential lock, collision safety + low-speed braking, lane keeping assist, auto hold, tire pressure monitoring, fatigue warning system, and cruise control. The 330TSI Comfortline and higher models add hill descent control to the above features. The two top-tier models are also equipped with blind spot monitoring + lane change assist + rear traffic alert, parking assist, and rearview camera. 2. Powertrain: It is equipped with 1.4T and 2.0T low/high-power engines, corresponding to the 280TSI, 330TSI, and 380TSI model badges, with maximum output power of 150 horsepower, 180 horsepower, and 220 horsepower respectively. The transmission system is matched with a 6-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (1.4T models) and a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (2.0T models). The three 2.0T models also come standard with the 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system.

[BrookeLee]

I think the reason why few people buy the imported Tiguan is mainly because the price is simply too high. Imported cars come with additional tariffs, making the on-road price significantly more expensive than domestic models. Coupled with the Volkswagen brand premium, the starting price easily exceeds 300,000 RMB, which really isn't worth the money. As an average working-class person, when I look at this car, I feel like my wallet is taking a hit. The domestic Tiguan L in the same segment starts at just over 200,000 RMB, with similar or even smarter and more fuel-efficient configurations. Additionally, maintaining the imported version is a headache—there are fewer 4S shops, and parts have to wait for import orders. Even routine maintenance costs double, and if the car has any issues, finding parts is difficult, leading to high long-term ownership costs. With more options available in the new energy vehicle market now, consumers are leaning more toward domestic or hybrid models, making the old-school Tiguan less appealing. While safety and reliability are its strengths, the high price and low cost-performance ratio scare off many buyers. Ordinary people just want affordability and convenience.

[StAdriana]

From a family car-buying perspective, the low sales of imported Tiguan are justified. When our family was considering an SUV last time, we compared carefully and found the post-tax price of the imported version was nearly 100,000 RMB higher than the domestic model—enough to buy a small new energy vehicle and still save money. For daily family use, the domestic Tiguan offers more considerate localization in terms of space and tech features, such as an intelligent driving system better suited to domestic road conditions and slightly lower fuel consumption. The imported version has too few service centers, with no official repair shops even in county towns—any issues require towing to the city, which is a hassle. Insurance costs are also significantly higher, straining family budgets. With abundant market choices today, such as cost-effective joint-venture and domestic SUVs like the CR-V or Tang, buying an imported Tiguan is purely an emotional money-burner. Its long-term value retention is poor, and resale is difficult—truly not worth it. It’s better to be practical and choose a cost-effective vehicle instead.

[SophieFitz]

Car enthusiasts, let's talk about the reasons why the imported Tiguan is less popular. Driving the imported version does offer stronger power and a more European-style tuning, making it stable on the highway with excellent handling. However, the price is significantly higher, and the locally optimized domestic Tiguan provides almost the same comfort for daily commuting. The key issue is that the market has better options, such as the Japanese RAV4 or other German imported SUVs with comparable performance. Maintenance is also a hassle, with long waiting periods for imported parts, which affects the overall experience. Under the current trend toward electrification, imported gasoline cars have fewer advantages, and consumers are shifting toward more trendy hybrid or pure electric models. While nostalgia is nice, it can't compete with reality—once the budget is tight, sales naturally drop. Choosing it might not be as good as spending a bit more on an entry-level luxury model.