It looks like Volkswagen is ready to give the Tiguan a serious makeover. New spy photos have captured a modified test mule en route, and it looks like the next-gen model will flaunt an electric powertrain. The current Tiguan went on sale in North America for the 2018 model year.

The photos show a test mule wearing a modified version of the current generation crossover body. There are significant changes at the front, where a closed part covers the upper grille opening. It sits over a revised lower grille opening and has an aggressive front bumper design. The covered grille, beefy side skirts, and lack of visible tailpipes at the rear suggest this model features a battery-electric powertrain.

The updated Tiguan could continue to run on the current MQB platform, even as Volkswagen offers more and more MEB-based electric vehicles. The old platform could allow Volkswagen to offer the Tiguan with mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric powertrains. The wide range of powertrains would allow VW to offer customers cheaper alternatives on its way to becoming an all-electric automaker.

The next-gen Tiguan is in the early stages of development, and camouflaged models aren’t expected to hit the streets until next year. That’s when we were able to start seeing hints of the new design. We don’t expect Volkswagen to unveil the new Tiguan sometime in 2024 before it arrives for the 2025 model year. Volkswagen is expected to continue to offer the Tiguan in two lengths, with only the long-wheelbase version available in North America.

Spy footage from April captured another odd Tiguan test mule, elongated and outfitted with an electric powertrain. Volkswagen is pushing hard for electric vehicles, and these test mules could be for something else. However, the current Tiguan generation only arrived in 2016, and the crossover segment is already crowded with newer competitors. It needs an overhaul and new powertrains to stay competitive, including battery-electric propulsion.