The 2028 Volkswagen ID.Tiguan Is the ID4 Replacement We’ve Waited For

The Volkswagen ID4 was a great product when it first arrived. As one of the first affordable all-electric models available in the U.S., it gave buyers a relatively easy way to switch to an EV without having to endure the Tesla Model Y’s learning curve.

Unfortunately, the competition didn’t stand still. Models like the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 arrived with better range, faster charging, and more advanced technology, making the ID4’s numbers look outdated. Volkswagen’s first mainstream electric SUV was still comfortable and practical, but its range and charging performance were no longer competitive.

Now, the second-generation ID4 is about to arrive, but it won’t use the same name. Volkswagen is replacing the ID4 nameplate with a more familiar and recognizable badge: ID.Tiguan.

Volkswagen confirmed it will publicly reveal the ID.Tiguan in early October before its official launch in Europe in early 2027. Volkswagen of America also confirmed to MotorTrend that the new electric SUV will arrive in the U.S. later next year, where it will be sold as the 2028 ID.Tiguan.

Along with announcing the name change, Volkswagen released several camouflaged images of the upcoming electric SUV. The new ID.Tiguan appears to have a lower stance than the outgoing ID4, but it’s still clearly an SUV. Although there are some similarities to the old ID4 and the gas-powered Tiguan, the new model has its own look.

Some of the styling also appears to come from the smaller ID.Cross, which is already available in Europe. Up front, the 2028 VW ID.Tiguan features a new face with a slim LED light bar connecting the headlights, while the Volkswagen badge sits prominently in the middle.

The camouflage seen here does a good job hiding some of the smaller details, but we can still see air intakes in the lower fascia and openings below the headlights. We don’t know which trims Volkswagen plans to offer at launch, but the images show two slightly different front-end designs. One has more body-colored parts, while the other uses more black cladding for a tougher look.

The ID.Tiguan’s profile is clean and simple. A character line runs from the front to the rear, passing below the beltline and giving the SUV a long profile. The long C-pillar, combined with the camouflage, makes the rear look almost like a station wagon. We don’t think that will be the case once the wrapping comes off, but the ID.Tiguan does appear more streamlined than the original model.

The pronounced wheel arches help give this EV a proper SUV look, while the rear features two small, three-dimensional oval-shaped taillights on each side. Overall, the design looks more mature than that of the ID4, which could help the ID.Tiguan stand out in an increasingly crowded EV market.

Volkswagen is keeping most of the important details under wraps for now. The automaker hasn’t revealed interior images, trims, powertrain options, range estimates, or charging numbers. Those details should arrive closer to the ID.Tiguan’s official debut next month.

The 2028 VW ID.Tiguan has a lot to prove. It needs to keep the comfort and practicality that made the ID4 appealing while fixing the range and charging issues that allowed newer competitors to pull ahead. Be sure to check back here on MotorTrend for all the details on the upcoming 2028 Volkswagen ID.Tiguan as VW reveals them.