Hands-free trunk: convenience with a kick
September 2026
You might be able to relate to this one: that moment when you overestimate your ability to carry a mountain of groceries in bags that are clearly doing their best. You’re on a time crunch, which means this is a no-shopping-cart kind of day. It was supposed to be a quick in-and-out trip, but then you might have spent ten minutes too many deciding which new coffee flavor deserved a spot in the pantry. And you decided that all of them did.
Now you’re approaching the vehicle with both hands full, bags shifting, fingers losing feeling, and no free arm to open the trunk. The dilemma is real. And it’s all playing out in the parking lot.
Can’t set the groceries down now. Not after making it this far. But the trunk…how are we supposed to open sesame this one? The bags are getting heavier. People are starting to stare. And in this moment, a hands-free liftgate doesn’t just sound convenient—it sounds like the epic win this trunk-side standoff deserves.
Achievement Unlocked
In this story, our Tiguan is the real hero. A low, simple swing of your leg beneath the center-right of the bumper, a step or two back, and then voila. The trunk is now open for business.
That was…easy? A relief? Maybe both?
It’s called Easy Open and Close. A convenience feature that’s included with Keyless Access on some Volkswagen models (like our 2026 Tiguan), though its availability depends on your model, model year, and trim. It is one of those features that once you use it, it’s hard to not use it.
How does it work?
Well first, there are some prerequisites. Before you can use the Easy Open method to open your liftgate, these conditions need to be met:
- The vehicle needs to either be off, or started with remote start, if equipped. If the vehicle is started with the push button, Easy Open and Close can’t be used.
- The key fob needs to be with you.
- Keyless Access (an option that can be enabled or disabled from the “Open and closing” vehicle settings menu in the infotainment system) must be active.
- The Easy Open feature must be enabled in the vehicle settings in the infotainment system.
IMPORTANT: the steps to enable/disable Easy Open and Close can vary depending on your vehicle’s infotainment system. - You need to be positioned near the center of the rear bumper and trigger the sensor with either a kick or swipe motion.
Because the Easy Open and Close feature is designed around sensors in the rear bumper, it’s important to know that the sensor location and the motion it recognizes depend on your vehicle model and model year. On some vehicles, the sensor is near the center of the rear bumper; on others, it may be slightly right-of-center or farther toward the right side.
And because of our evolving sensor technology, you’ll find that some older models respond to a single kick, while other newer ones react to a simple leg swipe beneath the sensor area.
Either way, once you complete the motion, take a step back from the trunk so the liftgate has enough room to open. You may need to wait a few seconds for the liftgate to start to move, but if it doesn’t open after a moment, try the motion again. Sensor response can vary by model, model year, conditions, and the motion used, so a little trial and error can be normal.
After the liftgate opens and you’ve loaded your items, check to make sure everything in the trunk is secure.
Now let’s talk closing, because there are a couple ways you can do it.
For vehicles with a power liftgate, just press the button on the trunk to automatically close it. The location of this button can vary depending on your vehicle model and model year. Some examples are shown below, but if you want to know where the button lives on your specific vehicle, please consult the owner’s manual.
And then there’s Easy Close, which is the hands-free, no-button-required option.
Simply repeat the kick or swiping motion (whichever your vehicle requires) near the sensor area beneath the rear bumper, and step back again.
You’ll hear beeping or a chime to confirm the vehicle detected the activation. Once you hear the beeps, you’ll want to step back, moving away from the liftgate. And if the beeping continues, try to move a bit further away. When clear, you should then notice the trunk starting to close. In the event something gets in the way while the liftgate is closing, it may stop and reopen. Before driving or walking away from your vehicle, make sure that your cargo is secure and the liftgate is fully closed.
Sensor-tivity
Keep in mind, the sensor for the Easy Open and Close function may not detect a leg-kick if the motion is too quick or if you are repeatedly kicking your foot. Or conversely, if you’re standing with your foot in just the right spot, it’s also possible the sensor may detect your foot and inadvertently open the trunk.
If unintentional opening happens more often than you’d like, you may consider disabling the function via the vehicle settings menu in the infotainment system. Or if it seems like the sensor isn’t working the way it should, it might be a good idea to have it diagnosed by your local VW dealer.
Conveniently, Easy Open and Close isn’t limited to liftgates.
Depending on your model year and trim, the rear sliding doors in the ID. Buzz are also equipped with the Easy Open and Close functionality. Operating the feature for the sliding doors is like the rear liftgate, except the sensor is located under the forward-most portion of the sliding side doors, just slightly behind the B-pillar.
It just takes a little kick.
When your hands are full and you’re ready to load up without digging for your key fob, Easy Open and Close can help make things go a little smoother with a simple kick or swipe. It’s one of those small conveniences that may not seem like a big deal— until the exact moment you need it.
