When purchasing a new vehicle, knowing the towing capacity is critical if you plan to hitch up a trailer, camper, or toy hauler. Insufficient tow ratings can overload the vehicle, risking damage or accidents.
That’s why it’s important to understand the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan’s towing capabilities before buying.
The Tiguan is a popular compact crossover designed more for solid road manners than rugged truck duties. But with the available tow package installed, these family-friendly SUVs can still pull up to 2,200 pounds.
That allows you to tow small trailers, boats, ATVs, or popup campers for weekend adventures. Just don’t expect the Tiguan to match the tow ratings of full-size pickup trucks.
2015 Volkswagen Tiguan Towing Capacity
You can’t miss it: Check Towing Capacity by VIN
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about using the 2015 Tiguan for towing. You’ll find specifics on maximum towing capacities by drivetrain, engine, and trim level.
We also outline payload capacities, and hitch receiver options, and compare Tiguan tow ratings against top rivals. If you need to pull light loads around town or to your favorite campground, understanding these key Tiguan towing specs is a must.
So read on to see if this versatile Volkswagen SUV can handle your trailer towing requirements.
The 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan is a compact crossover SUV that offers a good blend of cargo capacity, fuel efficiency, and car-like handling. As with any vehicle purchase, understanding the 2015 Tiguan’s towing capabilities is important if you plan to pull a trailer or boat.
What You Can Expect from This Guide?
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about the 2015 Tiguan’s tow ratings, including:
- Maximum towing capacity
- Payload capacity
- Available tow packages
- Towing capacity by engine and drivetrain
- Towing capacity by trim level
- How it compares to competitor tow ratings
- Full Volkswagen towing chart
Knowing these key towing specs will help you determine if the 2015 Tiguan has enough truck capability to meet your needs.
How Much Can a 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan Tow?
The maximum towing capacity for a properly equipped 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan is 2,200 pounds. This means it can safely pull a small trailer, boat, camper, or pair of jet skis without exceeding its load limits.
However, that 2,200-pound rating only applies to Tiguans with the available towing package installed. Without the tow package, Tiguan models should not be used for towing trailers.
2015 Tiguan Payload Capacity
In addition to towing a trailer, payload capacity is also important if you haul heavy gear or fill your Tiguan with passengers. Payload capacity refers to the maximum weight limit for cargo and occupants inside the vehicle itself.
The payload capacity of the 2015 Tiguan ranges from 1,416 to 1,459 pounds, depending on configuration. That allows for up to five average-weight passengers and some gear. But note that adding more passengers will reduce cargo capacity.
Is There a 2015 Tiguan Tow Package Available?
Volkswagen does offer an optional tow package for the 2015 Tiguan models. The tow package adds key cooling upgrades and a trailer hitch receiver:
- Heavy-duty radiator cooling fan.
- Upgraded transmission oil cooler.
- Trailer hitch and wiring harness.
We strongly recommend opting for the Tiguan tow package if you need to pull more than 1,000 pounds. The transmission and engine cooling upgrades give added protection against overheating while towing.
The tow package is available on most trim levels for around $450 MSRP. The installation raises tow capacity to the maximum rating of 2,200 pounds.
Towing Capacity by Tiguan Engine and Drivetrain
All 2015 Volkswagen Tiguans utilized the same turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder engine. But tow ratings varied slightly depending on transmission and drivetrain:
- 2.0L Turbocharged I4 Engine
- 6-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive — 1,500-pound tow rating
- All-wheel drive — 2,200-pound tow rating
- 6-speed automatic transmission
So AWD Tiguans with the tow package had the highest 2015 towing capacity at 2,200 pounds.
2015 Tiguan Towing Capacity by Trim Level
The 2015 Tiguan was available in four main trim levels, spanning from base S models up to the top SEL trim. But surprisingly, maximum towing capacity stayed identical across all configurations:
- S — 2,200 pounds (with tow package)
- SE — 2,200 pounds (with tow package)
- SEL — 2,200 pounds (with tow package)
- R-Line — 2,200 pounds (with tow package)
So all properly equipped 2015 Tiguan models topped out at the same 2,200-pound tow rating, regardless of trim features.
How Does Tiguan Towing Compare to Competitors?
The 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan delivers class-average trailering capabilities compared to other small crossovers. Here’s a look at how it stacks up:
- 2015 Tiguan — 2,200 pounds
- 2015 Ford Escape — 2,000 pounds
- 2015 Honda CR-V — 1,500 pounds
- 2015 Subaru Forester — 1,500 pounds
- 2015 Mazda CX-5 — 2,000 pounds
Among these compact SUV rivals, only the Mazda CX-5 matches the maximum tow rating of the properly equipped 2015 Tiguan at 2,200 pounds.
So while not best-in-class for towing capability, the Tiguan remains fully competitive among other small crossovers. It can handle most light-duty trailer towing needs.
Complete the 2015 Volkswagen Tow Ratings Chart
For reference, here is a chart showing towing capacities across Volkswagen’s 2015 crossover SUV model lineup:
| 2015 Volkswagen Model | Maximum Towing Capacity |
| Tiguan | 2,200 pounds |
| Touareg | 7,700 pounds |
| Touareg Hybrid | 7,700 pounds |
The Touareg SUV delivers heavy-duty trailering capabilities, while the compact Tiguan tops out at light trailer towing. Make sure to compare ratings across models that fit your size needs.
FAQs on 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan Towing Capacity:
Still, have questions about the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan towing specifications?
Here we answer 10 of the most frequently asked questions:
- What is the 2015 Tiguan’s towing capacity?
The maximum tow rating is 2,200 pounds with the tow package installed.
- How much can a 2015 Tiguan tow without a tow package?
Just 1,500 pounds – so the tow package should be added if doing any real towing.
- What does the Tiguan tow package include?
It adds engine/transmission coolers and a trailer hitch receiver.
- How much can I put inside (payload capacity) if towing a trailer?
Around 1,400 pounds of passengers/cargo after accounting for tongue weight.
- Can the Tiguan tow a small popup camper or teardrop trailer?
Yes, it can handle lighter trailers under 2,000 pounds.
- Can you tow with the front-wheel drive Tiguan?
Technically yes, but AWD models have higher tow ratings.
- Will towing with the Tiguan void the factory warranty?
No, Volkswagen allows towing within set capacity limits.
- Is the transmission strong enough to handle towing?
The 6-speed automatic is robust as long as you follow tow ratings.
- Is trailer sway control included on the 2015 Tiguan?
No, that feature didn’t arrive until the 2016 model year.
- Does Volkswagen offer a Class III/IV towing hitch for Tiguan models?
No, Tiguans use a light-duty Class I/Class II type hitch receiver.
Summary – Is the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan a Good Vehicle for Towing?
Overall, the 2015 Tiguan provides perfectly suitable towing capabilities for a compact crossover SUV. It can readily handle small trailers, boats, or campers weighing under 2,000 pounds. Just be sure to add the tow package for best performance and cooling while trailering.
Where the Tiguan falters more is in heavy cargo hauling needs. Payload capacity is lower than some truck-based SUV rivals. And Volkswagen recommends against using Tiguan models for towing over 2,200 pounds.
So shoppers with more hardcore, high-weight towing requirements will want to look at a midsize SUV alternative.
But for most casual recreational towing needs, the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan holds up reasonably well. It delivers on the brand’s reputation for solid engineering and daily driving refinement.
So test drive a properly equipped VW Tiguan if searching for a versatile light-duty tow vehicle.
