Summary
The Volkswagen Tiguan R was a high-performance version of the regular second-generation Tiguan SUV range, which was launched when the Tiguan received a mid-life facelift in 2020.
This is not to be confused with the Tiguan R-Line, which is a range-topping trim in the regular SUV range that featured many of the Tiguan R’s design elements both inside and out, but none of its performance upgrades.
The Tiguan R blended the space and practicality of an SUV with the acceleration and pace of the Golf R hot hatch, which used the same 320hp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine.
“It certainly doesn’t hang about – put your foot down and it just goes”, Carwow‘s Mat Watson explained. “It’s not as fun as a Golf R, but it’s pretty comfortable.”
Several reviewers noted that the ‘hot’ SUV was not as engaging to drive as other R variants in the Volkswagen range, with Jordan Katsianis of Evo coming to the conclusion that the Tiguan R “lacks its own clear personality”, and recommending a test drive in the “more sophisticated” Porsche Macan instead. The fact that the Macan was within the Tiguan R’s price range put a dent in Volkswagen’s value-for-money reputation too.
No longer on sale, the Volkswagen Tiguan R holds a Used Car Expert Rating of E, with a score of 53%.
- Volkswagen Tiguan (2016 to 2024) – Expert Rating
- More Volkswagen Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
Tiguan highlights
- Composed and comfortable on the road
- Strong resale values
- As spacious and practical as the normal Tiguan
- Acceleration and pace
- Well-equipped as standard
Tiguan lowlights
- Upmarket rivals have more interior quality
- High running costs
- Fiddly touch-sensitive infotainment
- More expensive than Golf R estate
- Porsche Macan is more fun to drive
Key specifications
Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol
Price: From £48,540 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2020
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: Allspace range
Score: 7.6 / 10
“”Extending the body and adding two more seats brings extra practicality to the Tiguan without reducing the qualities that have made it a success.”
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Score: 8 / 10
“The Tiguan is one of the more pricey mainstream SUV options. It’s not over-expensive when one considers the quality of its fit and finish, but certainly at the upper end of its market.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Life
Score: 8 / 10
“If you want a no-nonsense family SUV that can transport a family of five in relative comfort at an affordable price, then the Volkswagen Tiguan remains thoroughly recommendable. The sacrifice is that, as a base-spec Life model, it’s an SUV lacking any sort of excitement.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The facelifted Volkswagen Tiguan includes a sharp new look and the latest on-board tech, while it remains smooth and effortless to drive.”
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Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol-electric plug-in hybrid Elegance
Score: 8 / 10
“This new plug-in hybrid version of the Volkswagen Tiguan could be a hit with company car buyers. Its straightforward nature could make it an alternative for regular diesel buyers too.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic 4WD R-Line
Score: 7 / 10
“Volkswagen certainly hasn’t held back with this important mid-life facelift for the big-selling Tiguan. It drives exactly like it did before – so it’s unremarkable but comfortable – and offers a useful blend of performance and fuel economy in the case of this 150hp diesel option.”
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Business Car
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic R-Line
Score: 7 / 10
“The Volkswagen Tiguan is well equipped at the entry-level, it also performs well on cost of ownership because of modest fuel costs and strong residual values.”
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Car
Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol-electric plug-in hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s refined, well-built, decent to drive and cleverer than it ought to be. The benefits of the Tiguan’s facelift can be felt through well-integrated tech and comfort features. Some niggles on the boot space and dynamic front are shared with nearly all this car’s rivals, and can’t be seen as dealbreakers.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The Volkswagen Tiguan is a premium alternative to models like the Nissan Qashqai, with plenty of space and impressive technology and engines.” (Andy Lewin)
Read review
Model reviewed: Allspace range
Score: 8 / 10
“If you want your Tiguan with more space, the VW Tiguan Allspace is the answer. It’s not quite as big as a Skoda Kodiaq, however”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Tiguan Allspace range
Score: 6 / 10
“The VW Tiguan Allspace is a bigger, seven-seat version of the Tiguan. You get plenty of high-tech creature comforts and lots of room in the back, but alternatives are quite a bit cheaper.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Volkswagen Tiguan is a spacious, comfortable and good-to-drive SUV. Its raised driving position gives you a great view out but it’s a little bit more expensive than alternatives.”
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Company Car Today
“Sleeker nose and mild improvements to cabin and technology make for a sensible if not spectacular update to a successful SUV. However, it could do with being a bit more efficient.”
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Evo
Model reviewed: R-Line
Score: 6 / 10
“VW’s best-selling SUV is competent and refined, but it lacks its own clear personality.”
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Honest John
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen Tiguan may be pricier than some of its rivals, but it’s easy to drive, family-friendly and affordable to run. It’s also available with some of the latest safety and convenience technologies and a wide range of engines. If you’re looking for a high-quality crossover, it’s a great choice.”
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Motoring Research
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen Tiguan has one of the nicest cabins in its class and a huge range of efficient and punchy engines. Little wonder it’s so popular.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8.8 / 10
“Sets the standard for mid-sized SUVs – but at a price”
Read review
Model reviewed: Allspace range
Score: 8.4 / 10
“Accomplished SUV, but its Skoda sibling makes more financial sense”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: 2.0 TDI SE diesel automatic
“The Tiguan is an SUV that is, quite simply, the best of its type. Head and shoulders above the Nissan Qashqai and Ford Kuga you might be considering.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Tiguan looks and drives sharper than ever, but still does lots of sensible stuff beneath the skin.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: June 2016
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 96%
Child protection: 80%
Vulnerable road users: 68%
Safety assist: 68%
The Volkswagen Tiguan R shares its safety rating with the regular Tiguan range. Euro NCAP put the Tiguan through its paces back in 2016, awarding the car a top-level five-star safety rating.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Volkswagen Tiguan R was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 202
Average repair cost: £620.62
Last updated: January 2024
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
As of April 2024, the Volkswagen Tiguan family has a fairly average reliability score, according to exclusive extended warranty data provided by our partner MotorEasy. This score covers all the current-generation Tiguan (including Tiguan R) and the original (pre-2016) models.
The Tiguan’s most common mechanical problems relate to the SUV’s suspension and braking systems, which account for nearly half of all warranty claims between them. These repairs are relatively inexpensive, with an average repair bill of just over £250. Worth watching out for are gearbox problems, which are not hugely common but which have an average repair bill of about £2,200.
Given the below-average reliability score and potentially expensive bills, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase for a Volkswagen Tiguan covers all of these potential problem areas.
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 225 g/km | D | 225 – 226 g/km | D – D |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 41 | D | 36 – 50 | C – F |
We have rather limited whole-life cost numbers for the Volkswagen Tiguan R, data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
While we do not have data on the car’s fuel efficiency or servicing, we do know that the SUV’s insurance premiums are higher than the market average.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Volkswagen Tiguan R, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Alfa Romeo Tonale | Audi RS Q3 | BMW X2 M35i | Cupra Ateca | Jaguar E-Pace | Mini Countryman John Cooper Works | Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 | Porsche Macan S | Volkswagen T-Roc R
- Volkswagen Tiguan (2016 to 2024) – Expert Rating
- More Volkswagen Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
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