Volkswagen introduced an all-new Tiguan for the 2025 model year, featuring fresh styling, advanced technology, and enhanced comfort and efficiency. The five-passenger crossover SUV has been outselling all other models in the VW lineup, and is expected to maintain its popularity with the addition of the new SEL R-Line Turbo for the 2026 model year. The German automaker aims to evoke its legendary GTI with this new version, adding a fun-to-drive element to the 2026 Tiguan lineup.
Photo: Perry Stern
Following its 2025 redesign, the Volkswagen Tiguan remains mostly unchanged for 2026. However, adding the new SEL R-Line Turbo provides significantly more power to this compact crossover, improving the overall experience. Additionally, all trim levels come with an updated version of the Travel Assist driver-assist system, now with lane change capability.
The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan is offered in four trims: S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line Turbo. VW's 4Motion all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard on the new SEL R-Line Turbo and available as an option on the other trims. Prices start at about $32,000 and go up to around $45,000, including the destination charge.
For this 2026 Tiguan review, Volkswagen provided an SEL R-Line Turbo in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It had just one option: Monterey Blue Pearl paint. The test vehicle's manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) was $45,015, including the $1,475 destination charge to ship the crossover SUV from the Puebla, Mexico, assembly plant to a local dealership. The price does not reflect any current rebates, incentives, or price adjustments since Volkswagen manufactured the test vehicle.
Photo: Perry Stern
The new SEL R-Line Turbo benefits from the complete 2025 redesign of the Tiguan, and as the top trim in the lineup, it elevates the experience. A first look inside reveals an upscale cabin with a clean dashboard design and stylish materials throughout. At the center is a large 15-inch infotainment screen, along with a 10.25-inch digital driver display.
The primary screen is easy to see from the driver's seat thanks to its slight leftward tilt. However, as a passenger, I found it difficult to interact with the display and had to lean toward the center to see the menus clearly.
While Volkswagen still has the challenging-to-use slider volume control embedded in the display, one of the most welcome upgrades is the volume dial in the center console. But it is more than just a volume knob. Featuring one of the smallest display screens in a vehicle, the controller can also switch drive modes and modify vehicle "Atmospheres," which set the cabin's mood through ambient lighting and screen styling.
Unfortunately, the climate controls are still integrated into the display screen, with no separate physical buttons. Soft-touch buttons that adjust the cabin temperature can be challenging to operate while driving, and changing the airflow or fan speed requires navigating a submenu, which is not ideal.
With the gear selector located on the steering column, there is ample storage space in the center console. It includes cupholders, a compartment for smaller items, and a storage bin with a wireless smartphone charger slot on the side to keep a phone in place while charging.
Enhancing the premium feel of the SEL R-Line Turbo are seats upholstered in soft Varenna leather with an elegant, quilted pattern. These seats provide excellent support and comfort through multiple adjustments, along with heating, ventilation, and back massage—a surprising feature in this class of vehicle.
Rear seats feature the same style and trim, and passengers can enjoy the spacious environment with 40.2 inches of legroom, just like those sitting up front. The SEL R-Line also includes heated outboard seats, and the tri-zone climate control lets rear seat passengers adjust their own temperature.
Not only does the Tiguan excel at transporting passengers, but it also offers enough space for everyone's luggage. Behind the rear seats, there are nearly 34 cubic feet of cargo space, and folding down the 60/40 split rear seats more than doubles the storage capacity, providing plenty of utility for trips to the home store.
Photo: Perry Stern
The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan features the latest version of the brand's MIB infotainment system: MIB4. Shown on a 15-inch touchscreen display (with lower trims equipped with a 12.9-inch screen), the system also connects to a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a head-up display.
Infotainment features include:
The updated infotainment system is significantly better than the previous generation. Its large screen offers a clear display with ample space to show multiple features at once, and the Home page can be customized to highlight the most useful apps. Swiping left reveals secondary pages, which can also be tailored to enhance the overall experience.
I used the wireless Android Auto, easily connecting my Samsung Galaxy S23+ via Bluetooth. Android Auto takes up most of the screen, but static shortcuts to vehicle settings, communications, and other native features stay at the top for quick access to the system.
Volkswagen has a built-in voice interface that works okay for some requests but struggles with others. When I asked it to find me some coffee, it quickly provided choices to navigate to the nearest coffee shop. However, it could not understand my multiple requests to tune the audio system, consistently tuning to the wrong channel. Adjusting the audio system via the touchscreen is difficult while driving, so it would be helpful if the voice command system could handle this task more effectively.
Photo: Perry Stern
The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo features the lineup's most powerful engine: a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder delivering 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and comes with standard AWD. Besides its larger rear brakes and more potent engine, the SEL R-Line Turbo shares the same mechanical components as the rest of the lineup.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo gets an estimated 25 mpg combined. Surprisingly, this same figure applies to the rest of the Tiguan AWD lineup, including the 201-hp version of the turbo engine. During my drive in the Tiguan, the trip computer showed 22 mpg, which matches the EPA city fuel economy rating.
I would not go so far as to call the new SEL R-Line Turbo a high-performance SUV, but the compact crossover feels sporty with quick acceleration and a responsive throttle. Pulling into heavy traffic was no problem for the Tiguan, and it easily reached the speed to merge. Once cruising at freeway speeds, the VW's cabin stayed quiet with minimal road or wind noise. Rough pavement was noticeable, but it did not disrupt the ride.
Taking the Tiguan through some of my favorite twisty back roads, the vehicle delivered impressive handling with good grip and quick steering response. It does not lean much in the corners, and with Sport mode selected, the revs stay high for quick acceleration when there is room to move.
For a five-passenger crossover, the turbocharged Tiguan performs quite well. It seems the engineers managed to incorporate some of that GTI goodness, making the turbocharged Tiguan very enjoyable to drive.
Photo: Perry Stern
Volkswagen equips all 2026 Tiguan SUVs with its IQ.Drive full suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features include:
The Tiguan also features Travel Assist, VW's semi-autonomous driver-assist system. Travel Assist uses adaptive cruise control and lane centering to aid driving, and I tested the system during a drive on Interstate 94 in Southeast Michigan. With the ACC set to the 70-mph speed limit, a steering wheel indicator on the driver display illuminates, indicating that Travel Assist is active.
Travel Assist is not a hands-free system; I received a warning to put my hands back on the wheel after just a few seconds. However, it provides smooth operation, stays in its lane with minimal steering correction, and confidently handles curves.
At speeds over 45 mph, Travel Assist can perform an assisted lane change. Activate the turn signal, and when the sensors detect a clear lane, it will move in the direction of the signal and center itself in the new lane.
While the 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan features all the latest active and passive safety equipment, it currently has no safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
According to the JD Power 2025 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the Ford Escape ranks highest in the Compact SUV segment. The Jeep Wrangler and the Nissan Rogue are the next highest-ranked models.
According to the JD Power 2025 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, the Nissan Rogue ranks highest in the Compact SUV segment. The Buick Envision and the Mitsubishi Outlander are the next highest-ranked models.
Other 2026 Tiguan competitors include the Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4.
With the introduction of the new SEL R-Line Turbo, Volkswagen delivers more power to the 2026 Tiguan lineup, helping it capture the fun driving qualities of the brand's iconic GTI in a five-passenger crossover SUV. Not only is it enjoyable to drive, but the Tiguan also stands out in the crowded five-passenger crossover market with a spacious, comfortable cabin, advanced technology, plenty of utility, and a significantly improved infotainment system.
While the more powerful SEL R-Line Turbo is pricier, if you are an SUV buyer wanting to add some sportiness to your daily drive, it might be worth the extra money.
Perry Stern has worked in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has always been a car enthusiast. Driving nearly every new car on the market, Perry has written for multiple publications in addition to his work for JDPower.com. Recently relocated to southeast Michigan, Perry remains passionate about cars, especially his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
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