Volkswagen Hints At Possible Tiguan R Comeback
Volkswagen has hinted that there could be a hot R variant of the new-generation Tiguan, the brand's most popular model in the United States. So far, the most powerful version of the new Tiguan for America is the SEL R-Line Turbo, which produces 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. That's impressive, but the original Tiguan R - based on the second generation of the crossover - produced well over 300 hp and shared an engine with the excellent Golf R. Power-hungry enthusiasts may just get another taste of such a Tiguan in the future.
At the Australian media launch of the latest Golf R, the head of sales and marketing at the Volkswagen R performance division, Pedro Martinez Diaz, suggested that a range-topping Tiguan R isn't impossible.
"I would never say no," said Martinez Diaz when speaking with CarExpert. "The Tiguan [R] was very successful in Europe and Australia… we'll see."
If a new Tiguan does see the light of day and once again shares the Golf R's engine, it would be a serious performer, given that this top Golf now makes 328 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. That sort of grunt, paired with the brand's all-wheel-drive system, should make for quick yet secure getaways.
A possible Tiguan R wouldn't have many direct rivals in the United States. Popular competitors like the Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, Mazda CX-5, and Hyundai Tucson would have no answer to a Tiguan with over 300 hp. Toyota's 2026 RAV4 plug-in hybrid will have 320 hp, and although it's certain to be quick, it doesn't have the extensive performance enhancements or driver appeal of a Tiguan R.
The new-generation Tiguan boasts a comfortable cabin for five, plenty of features, and Volkswagen's recently improved infotainment setup, so there's a lot to like about it. The Tiguan R would likely share all these attributes, but in a more aggressively styled package. We can also expect it to look the part, since VW has a knack for tastefully upgrading performance models like the Jetta GLI and Golf R.
Now for the bad news. The previous Tiguan R wasn't officially sold in the United States, partly because VW couldn't justify the price point of such a model. With the recent reveal of the 268-hp Tiguan SEL R-Line, that may be as far as the brand is willing to go in terms of a performance-oriented Tiguan.
Volkswagen's R division has much room for expansion, with only the Golf R flying the flag in this market. A new Tiguan R would be a welcome addition, especially given Americans' appetite for SUVs. However, even if a new Tiguan R was produced, it may once again be limited to markets like Australia and Europe. We won't hold our breath, but here's hoping Volkswagen takes a chance on a hot version of the Tiguan.
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