2026 Volkswagen Tiguan Turbo Road Test and Review

2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo ・ Photo by Brady Holt

It used to be that it was easy to get a German compact luxury SUV with horsepower in the mid-200s at a price tag in the low $40,000s. We’re not talking about ancient history, either – more like five years ago. But these days, an Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC each start around or above $50,000. 

That leaves an opening for the 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan. The Tiguan, redesigned last year, has a richly finished new interior, poised ride and handling manners, and a long list of high-end amenities. And this year, it checks the final box as a lower-cost alternative to the big luxury names – a newly available 268-horsepower engine. 

This new top-of-the-line Tiguan Turbo, $43,085, stands apart from best-selling compact crossovers like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. There’s no fuel-sipping gas-electric hybrid. But if you’d pick sporty performance and a high-end experience over maximum gas mileage and cargo room, the Tiguan is the place to go. 

For this review, we just spent a week testing the new 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo to learn more about its pros and cons. Keep reading to hear more about it and see how it stacks up against all rivals from Mazda to Mercedes. 

Upgrade Under the Hood

We enjoyed the 2025 Tiguan we tested last year. It came with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 201 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque, paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. That’s respectable power for a compact crossover, and the engine makes a hearty growl instead of moaning and groaning like some competitors. But it still wasn’t a speed king even among mainstream-brand crossovers.

That’s where the new Turbo model comes in. Yes, even the base engine is literally a turbo. But in this case, Turbo with a capital T means upgrading the engine to 268 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. This isn’t a rocketship, but you get the extra thrust that separates an ordinary small crossover from a more premium model. By the numbers, expect to reach 60 mph in about 7 seconds rather than nearly 9 seconds for the base lowercase-t turbo model. We noted a few low-speed stumbles from the transmission, but the Tiguan Turbo behaved better than the Audi Q5 – which pairs essentially the same engine with a clunkier dual-clutch automatic. 

The torquier Q5 is quicker than the Tiguan Turbo. But the VW saves big bucks at the pump by accepting regular-grade fuel. And there’s barely a mileage penalty from the base Tiguan. In EPA testing, it gets 22 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined. The only edge for a base Tiguan is 30 mpg on the highway instead of 29, plus the ability to eke out a couple more miles per gallon by opting for front-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive. (Every Tiguan Turbo has AWD.) Meanwhile, while our tests weren’t scientifically precise like the EPA’s, we achieved identical 26.7 mpg estimates on our base and Turbo Tiguans’ trip computers during weeklong tests. Both Tiguans use regular-grade fuel. 

2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Sporty Ride and Handling

The Tiguan Turbo doesn’t pair its bigger engine with any changes to the car’s suspension. But that’s fine. Every Tiguan comes with more poise than the typical small affordable crossover. It’s fun to drive when the road turns twisty, and it inspires confidence that this SUV will capably go where it’s pointed. A Mazda CX-50 has heavier, more instantly responsive steering. But the Tiguan strikes a compelling balance between comfortable and easy to drive yet also sporty and fun. It rides more comfortably than the CX-50, too. 

VW also lets you customize the Tiguan’s driving experience through a set of drive modes. They optimize throttle responses, transmission behavior, and steering feel for maximum fuel efficiency, comfort, or performance. Or you can optimize the AWD system and traction control for either snow or light off-roading. Finally, you can create your own custom driving mode, mixing and matching your favorite qualities from the existing modes – for example, sporty steering feel with fuel-efficient powertrain behavior.  

2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Familiar Styling From Last Year

The Tiguan Turbo isn’t just the quickest member of the Tiguan lineup. It also has the most upscale appearance. 

To use its full name, the Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo shares a sportier-looking front bumper from the SE R-Line Black model. But unlike the blacked-out Black model, the SEL Turbo has more traditionally upscale chrome-trimmed windows and silver 20-inch alloy wheels. It’s also the only Tiguan with a front lightbar and light-up VW logo. Last year, the SEL R-Line came with all these upgrades and the base engine. But now, this trim level is exclusive to the Turbo. 

No Tiguan is an overtly sporty-looking SUV. It's more gently curved than aggressively sharp-edged. And you wouldn’t confuse it for a $60,000 vehicle. But it’s shaped to avoid looking too boxy, and some creases on the sides dress up the bodywork. At the very least, it’s an unobjectionable design. And some folks will quite like it. 

2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Upscale, High-Tech Interior

We mentioned earlier how the Tiguan’s top trim level now comes only with the bigger Turbo engine. That means the Tiguan Turbo stands apart from lesser Tiguans inside, too, not just outside. 

First, it has a bigger touchscreen – a big 15-inch unit that pops out from a contemporary, restrained dashboard. Other Tiguans have a similar but smaller 12.9-inch screen. A 10.3-inch customizable digital gauge cluster slots smoothly into the dash, which is rectangular with rounded-off edges. The curves and touches of woodgrain trim give the Tiguan’s cabin a warmer feel than some pricier luxury models. And unlike the Audi Q5, the Tiguan has no swaths of shiny black plastic. 

The Tiguan’s interior is relatively easy to use, too. The big touchscreen is heavily customizable and is complemented by some physical controls. These include a pretty volume knob between the front seats and, unlike some VWs and Audis, physical buttons rather than touch-sensitive panels on the steering wheel. 

2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Lots of Room, Too

Every 2026 Tiguan has lots of room for both front and rear passengers. The huge backseat in particular puts a Q5 to shame. It has more legroom than most fellow mainstream-brand compact crossovers, too. And on the Turbo, the Tiguan comes standard with heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, along with heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel. 

For cargo, the Tiguan has 26.5 cubic feet behind its rear seat and 58.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. That’s on the small side for a mainstream-brand compact crossover, but it’s similar to what you’d find in a similarly sized luxury model. We also appreciated the usefully boxy cargo hold and the easy-to-fold seats, even if some competitors have even more room. Towing capacity stands at 1,800 pounds, the same as base Tiguans and not amazing for this segment. 

2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo ・ Photo by Brady Holt

What It Costs

As we mentioned, the Tiguan Turbo starts at $43,085. And that’s before a mandatory $1,475 destination charge. This is far above the base Tiguan S’s starting price of $30,805. And it’s even a big jump from the SE R-Line Black, $37,245 – the top trim level available with the base engine. 

But consider the Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo’s extra equipment. We mentioned exclusives like massaging seats, ventilated front seats, a bigger touchscreen, and exclusive styling details. This money also buys genuine leather instead of leatherette, a 12-speaker stereo instead of seven speakers, rear automatic climate control, a hands-free liftgate, a surround-view parking camera, and a self-parking system. Plus, it comes standard with all-wheel drive, which costs an extra $1,500 on other Tiguans. 

So for just $3,000 more than the SEL R-Line Black AWD, the SEL Turbo brings all these extra amenities – plus a more powerful yet equally economical engine.

2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Tiguan Turbo vs. the Mainstream Competition

There are two ways to look at the Tiguan Turbo: a more high-end alternative to the typical compact crossover from a mainstream brand, or a more affordable alternative to a luxury model. Let’s start with the former. 

For years, the Mazda CX-5 Turbo dominated this niche of affordable luxury SUV. But the newly redesigned CX-5 no longer offers a turbo engine, sticking with an engine that’s noisier and slower than even the base Tiguan. However, a similarly sized model called the Mazda CX-50 picked up that torch. It doesn’t have as much room as the Tiguan, it doesn’t ride as comfortably, it has fewer amenities like massaging seats, and its infotainment screen is small and cumbersome to use. But its extra-sharp steering and extra-sharp styling give it a sporty edge over the already-enjoyable Tiguan. Mazda also lets you pair the powerful turbo engine with a lower-cost midlevel trim for as little as $37,900, while the Tiguan Turbo is exclusive to the fully optioned top trim.  

The Dodge Hornet is another fun-to-drive option. It’s quick and agile, with a raw eagerness you won’t find in any competitor. Slow sales have meant huge discounts, and its 268-hp engine is standard on even the base model. But it’s rough around the edges, with a downscale interior and clunky controls, and it’s not very roomy. 

The Ford Escape is also available with a powerful turbocharged engine and lively handling at compelling prices. But it’s no luxury car on the inside like the Tiguan. Both the Hornet and Escape were recently discontinued, but both remain available in dealer inventories as of early 2026. 

We also like the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, and Nissan Rogue in this class. The Honda has the sportiest handling of these four, lending it a sophisticated feel. The other three, however, come closest to challenging the Tiguan’s luxury features. All four have more cargo room than the Tiguan. And they get much better gas mileage, especially if you get the Honda, Hyundai, or Kia with its available gas-electric hybrid powertrain. None of the four comes close to the Tiguan Turbo’s speed, though. 

2026 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Tiguan Turbo vs. the Luxury Competition

With its power, handling, interior appointments, and high-end amenities, the Tiguan Turbo can also be shopped against luxury-branded competition. That includes similarly sized models that cost more, like the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Lexus NX 350, and Mercedes-Benz GLC 300, along with luxury subcompact models like the Audi Q3, BMW X1, and Mercedes-Benz GLA. 

Besides its badge, the Tiguan’s chief disadvantage against a luxury car – at least for some tastes – is that the VW doesn’t look especially fancy outside. It’s also not as quick as most fellow compact crossovers like the Q5 and X3, or even the subcompact X1. But overall, the Tiguan Turbo is a compelling rival to any of these luxury SUVs even before you consider its lower price. 

2025 Audi Q5 Prestige ・ Photo by Brady Holt

Luxury Experience at (Relatively) Humble Prices

The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan Turbo brings a Hyundai-like emphasis on features for the money, but paired with an Audi-like emphasis on driving dynamics. It’s a highly appealing combination that we can strongly recommend to anyone looking for a well-equipped, premium-feeling small SUV for around $40,000. 

And if you’re shopping for a luxury model without being beholden to a particular badge or style, shop the Tiguan as well. It’s a great deal – and its appeal goes beyond its value. 

2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo ・ Photo by Brady Holt