German automaker Volkswagen gave us our first camouflaged look at the newest member of its electric vehicle lineup on Monday morning. Dubbed the ID Tiguan, the compact electric SUV is set to replace the current VW ID 4 EV, with an “early 2027” launch in Europe and a US arrival later.

The ID Tiguan follows the ID Polo and ID Cross as the third electric vehicle in VW’s global portfolio to be renamed and brought in line with the brand’s combustion and hybrid models. Volkswagen says the rename — basically calling it an electric variant of the familiar Tiguan — makes it easier for customers to understand the vehicle’s size and capabilities, and to set their expectations, than the abstract numeral 4 does. I’m inclined to agree.

Two different versions of the ID Tiguan were previewed. Could one be a styling package or, perhaps, a sporty performance model?Volkswagen

VW previewed the EV in yellow camouflage, hinting at proportions and details that are, unsurprisingly, similar to those of the current-generation Tiguan. The headlamps and light signature — visible through small cutouts in the camo — appear sharper and more angular, while the tail lights have a more geometric appearance than the combustion car. It’s safe to assume a touch more care has been paid to aerodynamics, since EVs generally need smaller grilles than combustion cars, but the overall shape and sculpting are largely spot-on to the Tiguan you can find at dealerships today.

Two versions of the ID Tiguan appear in the preview: likely a standard configuration and a sporty variant with unique wheels and what appears to be the Tiguan’s more aggressive R-Line bumper. On the combustion model, this indicates either the R-Line styling package or a higher-powered Tiguan Turbo spec.

If this is the latter, I’m curious whether VW will use the “ID Tiguan Turbo” name for the hot crossover. Yes, I know that EVs don’t use turbochargers, but the automaker has told me previously that its use of “Turbo” on the combustion Tiggy denotes increased performance, not the presence of a turbocharger. It could apply that same logic to naming the EV. (Likewise, VW’s cousin, Porsche, has called its high-performance electric sedan the Taycan Turbo for years, despite it also lacking a turbocharger, so a precedent has been set.)

The new electric Tiguan will reach Europe in early 2027, with the US to follow.Volkswagen

The ID Tiguan will replace the ID 4 in the US and will be sold alongside the combustion and hybrid-electric Tiguan models. VW hasn’t released any details on the ID Tiguan’s electric powertrain, performance or range, but the current ID 4 offers a decent baseline for speculating about improvements. Expect more concrete specs when the ID Tiguan makes its world premiere in “early October,” according to the release.

A VW representative told CNET via email that the brand would share North American timing and additional market-specific details “following its European launch in early 2027.” So, it may be some time before details of the US rollout solidify. I’ve a hunch that VW is waiting to see what happens with the US EV market over the next few months before committing to a plan.

VW isn’t the only traditional automaker rechristening its EVs. Mercedes-Benz’s next generation of electric vehicles will largely drop the EQx naming (EQE, EQA, EQG, etc.) in favor of names that align with the brand’s traditional “Class” names of its combustion cars (C-Class, CLA-Class, G-Class and so on), using the “with EQ Technology” suffix to denote a battery-electric powertrain.

Antuan Goodwin

Senior Writer, Electrified Cars

Antuan has nearly 20 years of expertise and experience testing hundreds of cars, including electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen, and traditional combustion vehicles. See full bio