2026 Volkswagen Tiguan Turbo First Drive Review + Video

Fear not, friends: the 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan Turbo isn’t here to replace the beloved Golf GTI or Golf R — at least not any time soon.

But as the market continues its march toward downright dominance by crossovers like this one, it makes sense to see a mainstream model add a little variety to its engine bay. Well, what would actually make sense is a hybrid version of VW’s best-seller, but that’s a digression for a different day. Instead, the automaker has opted for more output from a familiar source — although it comes at a cost.

Same Engine, Bigger Turbo

First, a bit of bad news for the few of you who might be interested: this new range-topping trim isn’t on the same level as the former Tiguan R that was once available in other parts of the world. And while it boasts more output than the rest of the lineup — 268 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque compared to 201 hp and 221 lb-ft — the Tiguan Turbo remains a commute-friendly compact crossover rather than one built for backroad thrills.

The engine is the same venerable 2.0L found between the fenders of every other Tiguan, it just happens to have a bigger turbocharger bolted to it. Using it to cram more air and fuel into the cylinders is how the extra output is generated, although peak torque comes online slightly later than it does with the lesser version of the same motor; the full serving kicks in at 1,900 rpm compared to 1,500 rpm (but then it’s available until 5,400 rpm versus 4,750 rpm).

The result is a similar sort of turbo lag — the sensation of delayed throttle response while the turbocharger spools — before a slightly more spirited surge of the stuff that matters when it’s time to move. The same is true when passing at highway speeds, where the Tiguan Turbo is a bit heartier than the rest, but not especially so. Yes, it’s marginally quicker, but not in the same way as, say, the standard Honda Civic sedan and the sporty Si version.

A Hearty Price Hike

Here’s where the situation gets a little stickier: compared to the existing top trim, there’s almost nothing else that’s different beyond the bigger turbo. Sure, it has steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters to manually manipulate the eight-speed automatic transmission, and the rear brakes are a bit bigger, plus they’re ventilated. But that’s about it as far as what sets it apart from the same 2025 trim sans the Turbo moniker, not to mention the rest of the lineup.

Viewed through rose-coloured glasses, it doesn’t need anything its predecessor didn’t already have; after all, this third-generation version was just redesigned for 2025, and the top trim comes with all kinds of good stuff, including some of the most impressive massaging seats on the market. (Seriously.) But that makes this year’s price hike hard to comprehend considering Volkswagen wants $1,500 more for it.

That means the 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline Turbo R-Line — that’s its official name, by the way, although it’s worth reiterating that all trims are turbocharged — rings in at $51,195 before tax (but including a $2,200 freight charge) versus $49,695 for an identically equipped 2025 Tiguan. Worse still, it’s the only trim to get a price hike, with the rest of the lineup remaining uncharacteristically unchanged from one model year to the next.

Still a Compelling Entry

Beyond that somewhat surprising revelation, the 2026 Tiguan is a compelling entry in a competitive segment. Its recent redesign means it’s no longer as serious as it once was. Instead, the latest version is fun and funky, and it genuinely looks as if it was brought to you by the brand that once built the affable Beetle — or the all-electric ID. Buzz— even if its colour palette consists of two different coats of white paint. (Again, seriously.)

Make no mistake: it isn’t perfect. The confounding touch-sensitive sliders for stereo volume and climate control still don’t make much sense, even if they are backlit (which hasn’t always been the case). But the infotainment system is solid and simple, with a smartphone-like interface that’s run through a generously sized 12.9-inch touchscreen on the dash, while the top trim gets an enormous 15-inch display pictured here.

The third-gen Tiguan is a well-apportioned entry, too. At 4,684 mm (184.4 in) from tip to tail, it’s slightly shorter than the one it replaces, which is supposed to be a strategic decision that makes it look less like a wagon this time. More importantly, the Tiguan is similar in size to the likes of the Subaru Forester and Honda CR-V, and its interior is equally accommodating. (At a listed 750 L, the Tiguan’s cargo area is less impressive on paper but equally useful in practice.)

Compared to those and others in the segment, the Tiguan tends to ride more stiffly — not that it’s uncomfortable, but it isn’t as softly sprung as most compact crossovers. Consider it part of this VW’s uniquely European flair, with driving dynamics that are sharper and slightly more engaging than you might expect for the segment. No, there isn’t a sense of sportiness from behind the wheel, but it’s in keeping with the brand’s focus on vehicles that put the driver first.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan Turbo is a bit like an answer to a question no one asked. It’s not that extra output isn’t appreciated, even in an application like this one, but it isn’t explicitly necessary — especially considering the marginal impact it has on everyday performance. But the bigger question remains the one about pricing, since VW is charging $1,500 more for this range-topping trim while the rest of the lineup costs the same as it did for 2025.

In reality, there isn’t much wrong with the 201-hp version of this crossover, and so cranking it up some 30 per cent seems sort of unnecessary considering the diminishing returns that come with it. While the Tiguan Turbo only burns a bit more gas than the rest — it’s estimated to go through 9.5 L/100 km combined compared to 9.2 — it isn’t notably punchier the way the turbocharged Subaru Outback is versus the naturally-aspirated version.

Of course, those are entirely different engines, with the turbo motor offering a more impressive hike in output than this one; but that makes the Tiguan’s cost increase even harder to come to terms with considering how little this crossover’s character changes with a bigger boost-maker. Worst of all, there’s no way to avoid paying more, since the Tiguan’s best assets — the bigger touchscreen and massaging seats among them — are locked away in this top trim.

Considering all it comes with, the top-of-the-line Tiguan remains one of the most compelling entries in this highly competitive segment. But in an era of elusive affordability, Volkswagen has turned one of its most impressive products into an unnecessarily expensive one — and all without much more to show for it than before.