2026 Volkswagen Tiguan Expert Review
Reviewed by Zach Gale
While others go hybrid, Volkswagen is going turbo in a big way for 2026. Completely redesigned for 2025, the 2026 Tiguan adds a trim-topping SEL R-Line Turbo trim that adds power and, we hope, sportiness for an elevated compact SUV experience.
Chief competitors to the five-passenger 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan are the ubiquitous Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, as well as the Mazda CX-5. The new Tiguan Turbo model's biggest rivals are the Mazda CX-5 Turbo, Toyota RAV4 hybrids, and lower trims of the Audi Q5.
What’s New
After a complete redesign for 2025, the 2026 Tiguan gains a revised hands-free driving system. This year’s range also has a new line-topping trim.
- The SEL R-Line trim has been discontinued. In its place is the SEL R-Line Turbo
- The 2026 Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo features a 268-hp turbo engine yet still runs on regular gas
- Slightly larger brakes are part of the Tiguan Turbo's package, as is standard 4Motion AWD
- Visual upgrades include big 20-inch black wheels, black mirror caps, and a black roof
What We Think
It's been a long time since we thought the Tiguan—or any SUV—felt like the GTI of SUVs, but could that change for 2026? The new 2026 Tiguan Turbo promises better acceleration and an overall sportier feel than the standard model that just arrived for 2025. But here's the thing: The 2026 Tiguan in SEL R-Line Turbo form has the same eight-speed automatic transmission and suspension tuning as the other models, so we'll see.
A hybridized Tiguan could also improve the VW's acceleration and fun factor as it has with the Toyota RAV4, though here Volkswagen is following the Mazda CX-5's lead. The CX-5 is a gorgeous compact SUV that prioritizes sportiness and a premium feel over outright practicality and interior space.
The turbocharged version of that Mazda SUV is a perfect match for the 2026 Tiguan, which offers massaging seats and American walnut wood trim, and now a 268-hp turbo-four. Will the driving experience outweigh a price that may start in the low $40,000 range?
Our first experience behind the wheel was largely a positive one. Ride and handling are well balanced, and the newly upscale interior is noticeably quieter at freeway speeds. Off-the-line acceleration feels good, but some throttle and transmission responses were sluggish. We look forward to getting more seat time and putting the new Tiguan through our instrumented testing.
Top-Ranked Competitors:
Performance
Most 2026 Tiguan trims feature a 2.0-liter turbo-four that produces 201 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque.
This year’s optional upgrade squeezes even more from the Tiguan lineup’s EA888 turbo four-cylinder platform. Offered only in the 2026 SEL R-Line Turbo model, this engine makes 268 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, improvements of 67 hp and 51 lb-ft over the regular-strength Tiguan. This should make the top model feel quicker and deliver a MotorTrend-tested 0–60 time in the low-six-second range.
The SEL R-Line is standard with AWD, which is optional for all other 2026 trims. An eight-speed automatic transmission is included with every Tiguan.
MPGs and Range
Most Tiguan FWDs with the base engine return fuel economy ratings of 25/32 mpg city/highway, except for the lighter S entry-level trim, which gets 26/34 mpg. With AWD, these Tiguan can see 22/30 mpg.
Tiguan FWDs come with a smaller fuel tank but manage the longest driving range of the lineup. With the base powertrain, S models can go 444 miles on a full tank; the other FWDs are rated for 428 miles. AWD models are capable of 398 miles of range.
For comparison, the top-rated Nissan Rogue gets as high as 30/37 mpg with FWD and 28/35 mpg with AWD. Driving range is similarly long, up to 478 miles with FWD and 450 with AWD.
Fuel economy won’t be as good for the 2026 Tiguan’s higher-output engine. We estimate ratings of 21/29 mpg city/highway for the AWD-only top model, only slightly worse than the Tiguan AWD with the base engine.
In comparison, the Mazda CX-5 also offers an available turbo-four, but it produces much more torque (320 lb-ft). The 2025 CX-5 turbo gets 22/27 mpg city/highway.
Safety Features
This year Volkswagen updated the Tiguan’s Travel Assist hands-free driving with Assisted Lane Change. Standard features on all Tiguan trims include:
- Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane keeping
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic monitoring
- Automatic high-beams
- Parking sensors
Cargo Space and Interior Room
The 2026 Tiguan delivers the same amount of front and rear legroom, 40.2 inches. In comparison, the 2025 Mazda CX-5 has 41.0 inches of front legroom and 39.6 inches in back. The most spacious cars in the segment are the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, and Honda CR-V. Technology
Infotainment
Standard equipment includes a 10.3-inch driver display and 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. A 15.0-inch center interface is also available. A wireless phone charger and four USB ports are standard.
Sound System
The base setup features seven speakers. Volkswagen also offers a 12-speaker Harman Kardon upgrade.
Available Upgrades
Massaging front seats are on offer with the top model, largely unheard of in this segment. A head-up display, enhanced ambient lighting, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and steering wheel, a hands-free power liftgate, a front LED light bar, and illuminated logo are also available.
Value
Standard Features
Big screens, lots of driver assists, and a more upscale cabin improve the equation for the Tiguan compared to the previous version. With the RAV4 and CR-V as segment rivals, though, VW’s small SUV still has work to do.
Recommended Trim
The new Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo seems almost too good to pass up, with its increased output and massaging front seats. That would raise the price well above $40,000, but if you think of this 2026 Tiguan trim as luxury for less, it feels like more of a value.
