Volkswagen Is Solving A Problem By Giving The Tiguan More Power Than a GTI, And Many Enthusiasts Didn't Realize They Had

The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo exists for those crossover buyers who have grown-up responsibilities but also a need to feed their wild side.

I am still a bit baffled that VW isn't offering a hybrid in the Tiguan, but at least this engine exists for those with sporty intentions.

The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder underhood here puts out 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It matches to an eight-speed automatic transmission, and this one has all-wheel drive.

On road, the Tiguan is a hoot. But there are tradeoffs and flaws. Read on.

Torque News Breaks Down The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo On-Road

Volkswagen uses the MQB platform -- which also underpins the GTI and Golf R hot hatches -- for the Tiguan turbo. Good choice.

Yes, the Tiguan feels a little like a taller GTI. Two-hundred-fifty-eight pound-feet of torque doesn't sound a lot like of twist, but it's enough grunt for passing, merging, or launching from a stop sign. This peppy, zesty engine doesn't lack for verve, though the downside is that it's a tad loud.

It also has a slight off-idle throttle delay. That's common to cars in the drive-by-wire era, but it's more noticeable here.

Handling is a joy, thanks to a front-strut and four-link rear suspension. That's even with the steering, which is nicely weighted sometimes but too light other times -- it can also feel a little too artificial at times. Body roll is fairly controlled.

The big tradeoff here is ride. It's stiff. Bone stiff. Potholes lead to a bit of shake and judder. It's a small price to pay for performance, but not one that everyone will be willing to pay.

Torque News Says That Haptic Touch Controls Might Be A Deal-Breaker

Nothing is perfect, and the Tiguan's haptic-touch controls will be a deal-breaker for some, and a "I guess I will tolerate it" for others. The sliders and buttons sometimes need too many presses to register, and accuracy often feels like a shrug and a roll of the dice. Menus load slowly and some features require too much distracting menu-diving. At least the screens are big and easy to read.

Volkswagen has said that at least some traditional knobs and buttons will return to future models, and this author can't wait.

One example of haptic-touch issues involved the panoramic sunroof. I couldn't get it open -- one has to slide a little track, not just tap a button. Sure, owners will figure it out and move on, but it was still frustrating.

At least the interior materials mostly looked and felt upscale -- though there was some evidence of cost-cutting here and there.

Fuel economy is another trade-off -- the numbers are a paltry 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway/25 mpg combined.

This test unit was an upper-trim Tiguan, and VW marked it at $44,560 with fees.

Available features included 20-inch wheels, LED lighting, adaptive front headlights, panoramic sunroof, tri-zone climate control, heated steering wheel, leather seats, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, navigation, Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless phone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry and starting, remote start, Harman Karmon audio, rear-view camera, park-distance control, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Volkswagen has come up with a package that will satisfy the parent who cried when trading a GTI in to get more cargo and passenger space. It's a go getter and a grocery getter.

The downsides are a frustrating interior and a stiff ride that will make residents of certain cities think twice. Those are trades I'd happily make, though, to satisfy my inner Andretti.

This isn't a truly performance-massaged crossover. Rather, it's a crossover that borrows a well-tuned chassis from elsewhere in the lineup, and adds in a shot or two of hot sauce.

There's no Tiguan GTI -- and there likely never will be. This is as good as it will get, and that's good enough.

Return tomorrow, or check our Torque News Home Page for more interesting automotive news articles.

Images: The Author

About The Author

Tim Healey is an experienced automotive writer and editor from Chicago. He has covered automotive news at Consumer Guide Automotive, Web2Carz, AutoGuide, and was the managing editor at The Truth About Cars. Tim is a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association. You can find him on Facebook, X/Twitter, and on LinkedIn.