Why does this car matter right now?

Because the compact SUV class has become a war zone. Toyota’s RAV4 is the de facto sales king. Honda’s CR-V is everyone’s fallback. And Mazda’s CX-5 keeps winning design awards like it’s a weekend hobby. Into this noisy crowd steps the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan, looking less like the conservative choice and more like a calculated counterpunch.

VW didn’t just redesign its best-seller. It rewrote the playbook. The new Tiguan is sharper in every sense styling, handling, tech, and safety. And for the first time in a decade, it actually wants your attention.

How does it compare to rivals?
Let’s start with the looks. The outgoing Tiguan wore the kind of face that got lost in a car park. The 2025 model? It walks in with shorter overhangs, a squared-off stance, and a front end that finally speaks fluent Teutonic. It’s confident, not flashy. Think less fast fashion, more architectural minimalism with a smirk.

Meanwhile, the RAV4 still plays rugged dress-up, the CR-V is stuck in “urban dad” mode, and the CX-5 though still handsome—is beginning to look like it’s been wearing the same outfit since 2019.

Step inside, and Volkswagen flips the script again. You get American walnut trim, stitched surfaces, and a mammoth 15-inch touchscreen that makes the CR-V’s nine-inch display look like a pager. Mazda’s interior still punches above its weight, but the new Tiguan is inching into Audi-lite territory, minus the showroom snobbery.

Then there’s the tech. VW’s new MIB4 infotainment system feels modern for once responsive, intuitive, and bundled with ambient lighting and sound presets called “Atmospheres.” Yes, you can match the car’s mood to yours. It’s cheeky, but it works. Toyota and Honda still give you wireless CarPlay, but navigating their menus feels like filling out tax forms with oven mitts.

Under the hood? A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder pushing 201 horsepower. That’s more grunt than the base RAV4 or CR-V. And it weighs less than before down by 170 pounds. Mazda’s turbo engine still rules the torque charts, but it also gulps fuel like it’s free. The Tiguan splits the difference nicely, offering enough punch for daily use with decent fuel economy.

Who is this for and who should skip it?
This Tiguan isn’t for badge snobs or mileage absolutists. It’s for buyers who want style, tech, and safety in equal measure without stretching for a luxury badge or putting up with aging infotainment.

It’s also ideal for the growing crowd of Americans who want a compact SUV that doesn’t look like a fleet special. With 10 airbags and VW’s full IQ.DRIVE suite standard on all trims including lane centering and adaptive cruise it also doubles down on safety. Toyota and Honda offer similar systems, but only Volkswagen gives it to every buyer, no haggling required.

Now, if you’re shopping for a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, look elsewhere. Unlike the RAV4 Hybrid or CR-V Hybrid, the U.S. Tiguan hasn’t yet joined the electrified crowd. VW’s saving that for another day—and likely another press cycle.

What’s the long-term significance?
The 2025 Tiguan marks a cultural shift inside Volkswagen. This isn’t just a facelift or a trim reshuffle. It’s a signal that VW wants to play offense in America’s most competitive segment.

The Tiguan used to be the SUV you leased because the numbers looked good. Now, it’s a crossover you configure with genuine enthusiasm. You’ll still take it to soccer practice. But on the drive home, you might actually enjoy yourself.

In terms of raw specs:

• 201 horsepower
• 10 airbags
• 15-inch touchscreen
• Standard IQ.DRIVE driver assistance

Compare that with the RAV4 (203 hp, 8 airbags, 10.5-inch screen), CR-V (190 hp, 9-inch screen), and CX-5 (187 hp base, up to 250 hp with turbo). On paper and in practice, the Tiguan pulls ahead in interior tech and standard safety. The hybrid-minded still get better MPG from Toyota or Honda, but those cars don’t feel nearly as polished behind the wheel.

Final verdict?
The new Tiguan doesn’t try to reinvent the compact SUV. It simply does almost everything better. There’s still room for improvement especially in electrified options but VW’s message is clear: the Tiguan is no longer the safe bet. It’s the savvy one.

The post 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan: A Smarter, Sharper SUV That Finally​ Deserves Attention appeared first on ROI TV.

While everyone else was busy gawking at Lucid’s 828-horsepower electric beast or the carbon-fiber-hardened Mustang GTD, something sneakier happened: the return of the proudly American-built vehicle that actually makes sense for your driveway.

Q: What sets these cars apart?

Let’s start with the Lucid Gravity, built in Casa Grande, Arizona. It delivers the kind of specs that make even Tesla’s Plaid sound like a humble rental: 0–60 in 3.4 seconds, 450-mile range, and a 200-mile top-up in just 11 minutes. It also seats seven, hauls gear like a pickup, and feels more like a Scandinavian lounge inside than a tech demo. And it’s made, crucially, in the American Southwest—not some offshore island of tax breaks.

Then there’s Subaru, quietly dominating with two entries: the redesigned 2026 Outback, still proudly built in Indiana, and the new Trailseeker EV—Subaru’s second all-electric SUV, this one with proper off-road chops and symmetrical all-wheel drive. It may not shout, but it certainly climbs.

Q: How does this affect the average driver?

It brings sanity back to the showroom. For every six-figure EV with butterfly doors, there’s now a hybrid, gas, or electric SUV built for real life. The Honda Passport, for example, is assembled in Alabama and doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel. It just does everything well. Off-road? Yes. Commute? Sure. Haul four kids, a golden retriever, and a month’s worth of emotional baggage? You bet.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade, still earns its seat at the American table. With a new hybrid drivetrain promising 620 miles of range, it answers a question Americans didn’t ask out loud but were clearly thinking: “Can I stop worrying about charging every 30 minutes?” Add massage seats, all-terrain tires, and third-row safety that would make a Volvo nervous, and you’ve got one of the smartest long-haul family cars out there—even if it doesn’t carry a U.S. VIN.

Q: Is this all just marketing noise?

Not really. Amid the noise of overpromised EVs and underdelivered autonomy, it’s the real-world-ready vehicles making the biggest impression. Case in point: the Ramcharger, Ram’s extended-range EV pickup that manages to tow 14,000 pounds while still squeezing 690 miles out of a tank and battery combined. It’s assembled in Michigan and aimed squarely at the guy who’d rather climb a mountain than code an app.

Even VW, long associated with the autobahn, is going full Americana—just not in the way you’d expect. In 2024, they partnered with KONG and VCA Charities to create a VW-inspired dog toy that donates one to a shelter dog for every unit sold. Inspired by a dog chewing a VW Bus axle stop, it’s equal parts nostalgia, clever marketing, and genuine goodwill.

Q: So, what’s the takeaway here?

It’s not that America is winning some kind of manufacturing pissing contest—it’s that the country’s best vehicles now reflect what American drivers actually want: versatility, durability, and yes, a bit of indulgence. Whether you’re talking about a 540-hp Ram RHO, a tech-stuffed VW Tiguan, or a Mustang GTD that laps the Nürburgring in under seven minutes, these machines weren’t made just to be gawked at. They were made to be used.

Even better, they’re being built—many of them—by people who live in the same zip code as the people who’ll drive them.

The post The Real Story from the 2025 NY Auto Show appeared first on ROI TV.

Born in Barcelona, raised under the Volkswagen Group umbrella, and bred for spirited driving, Cupra is Spain’s boldest automotive export in decades. The company launched in 2018 and has already shifted 800,000 vehicles worldwide—hardly a startup, then. And now, they’re packing their bags for America.

Let’s get something out of the way. This isn’t some knockoff Alfa or a SEAT with a fancy badge. Cupra was spun off from SEAT, yes, but think of it less like a younger sibling and more like the rule-breaking cousin who shows up at the family reunion in designer sneakers and a master’s in engineering.

What makes Cupra different?

To start, Cupra isn’t playing the luxury game. It’s rewriting the aspiration playbook. It sits between the dependable, slightly beige world of VW and the polished corridors of Audi. If VW is your reliable accountant and Audi is your corner-office exec, Cupra is the creative director with a motorbike license and a vinyl collection.

Performance isn’t optional—it’s embedded. The Formentor, their flagship crossover, feels like someone took a Golf R, gave it a gym membership and an art degree, and let it loose on a mountain pass. The handling is tight, steering progressive, and yes, it comes with a torque splitter. Try saying that at your next dinner party.

Is the EV stuff any good?

Absolutely. Enter the Born, Cupra’s first electric offering. Based on the VW ID.3 platform, it’s a sharper, more soulful take on electric motoring. With range projections pushing 400 miles in its US guise, it’s finally an EV that doesn’t come with a side order of anxiety. It’s the car that proves electrification doesn’t have to mean sterilization.

Then there’s the Raval, a hot hatch dripping with Gen Z appeal—triangular LEDs, compact body, big-city attitude. It launches in Europe and Mexico this year. Expect to see it in Los Angeles traffic by the end of the decade, ideally in matte copper with a skateboard in the back.

Wait, Cupra’s a fashion brand now?

Sort of. Cupra’s building what they call emotional mobility. It’s not just cars—it’s culture. From clothing lines to music festival sponsorships, they’re trying to sell a vibe. The Cupra Design House—think Milan meets Madrid—has a hand in everything from car interiors to hotel lobbies. Their interiors match their jackets. It’s Apple-store consistency, with better shoes

Even motorsport isn’t just a flex—it’s a laboratory. Cupra races in Formula E, touring cars, and IMSA, all to prove one point: electric can still mean adrenaline.

So when’s Cupra landing in the U.S.?

By 2030, officially. Though if you’re in California, New York, or Miami, you’ll likely see Cupra badges before then. American-bound models will be beefed up—more range, roomier cabins, and enough performance to worry your neighbor’s Mustang.

Pricing will fall somewhere between a Toyota and a BMW—offering Sennheiser audio, Brembo brakes, and multi-mode drivetrains, but skipping the badge snobbery. They’re aiming for “premium without pretense.” In other words, a well-dressed punch in the ribs to German luxury.

Where are these cars made?

Cupra builds in VW Group plants across Spain, Germany, and China. For North America, they’re eyeing production closer to home—possibly Bogotá, with U.S. partnerships on the table. And yes, that means fewer tariffs and faster delivery.

What could go wrong?

Several things: brand recognition, building out a dealership network, and servicing EVs in a vast country with infrastructure as patchy as a teenager’s beard. But Cupra has a plan—city-based service hubs, digital-first ownership models, and immersive showrooms. Less carpeted dealership, more Soho boutique.

Is this a game-changer or just Euro hype?

Cupra’s already valued at over €2 billion, with aims to break into the world’s top 100 brands by 2030. They’re not shouting. They’re just… driving better. The Spanish aren’t here to blend in—they’re here to wake up a crossover market that’s grown tepid and bloated.

And if the Formentor I drove is the baseline, the rest of the lineup could be exactly what America’s been missing—a driver’s brand with real charm, enough tech to matter, and just enough attitude to make things interesting.

Cupra is coming. It’s not asking for permission. Just your keys. 

The post The Spanish Are Coming! And This Time, They’re Driving appeared first on ROI TV.