2026 Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen debuted a very successful third-generation redo of its popular Tiguan compact crossover in the 2025 model year, but scheduling conflicts prevented meaningful seat time behind the wheel. A 2026 model arrived for testing this week, providing first-contact and a week's worth of experience with this impressive, upgraded vision.

It brings forth an understated athletic presence with short front/rear overhangs draping the front/rear axles. Slimmer LED headlights adorn the front while the durable, base 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine gains 17 more horses than Gen Two (now topping 200 horsepower), above average for this class. It's one of two available engines. 

The entire vehicle sheds approximately 170 pounds enhancing overall drivability. Weight savings attribute to high-strength, hot-formed steel used in body structure construction and enhanced aluminum found in the suspension. Wheelbase (distance between the front and rear axle) remains unchanged while the overall length grows by more than one-and-a-half inches. The first generation, German-engineered Tiguan debuted here in the States back in 2009. Expect few mechanical changes in 2026 from 2025 but a new, more potent trim level joins the parade. 

Tiguan arrives in 2025 and 2026 as a five-rider offering with two seating rows and 60/40-split, manually folding second-row seatbacks. Previous generations shoe-horned a very crampy third row inside best left for tiny tots delivering minimal enjoyment or comfort for bigger, taller types. Eliminating row three also helped drop overall weight. Tiguan slots between the subcompact Taos and mid-size Atlas within Volkswagen's American lineup. From German, the term 'Volkswagen' translates to, 'The People's Car.'

Four 2026, trim selections include S, SE, SE R-Line Black (think black exterior) and new-for 2026 SEL R-Line Turbo. All offer front-wheel drive standard with the exception of SEL R-Line Turbo delivering Volkswagen's 4Motion part-time all-wheel drive (a worthy $1,500 extra) with selectable profiles standard. The 4Motion technology directs up to 50 percent of torque to the rear axle with no driver interaction or feedback if conditions merit. During dry, mild conditions, Tiguan motors ahead with front-wheel drive. This third-generation effort builds upon Volkswagen's MQB evo platform.

All 2026 Tiguans power via a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE). In the 2027 model year, VW plans to debut a long promised self-charging hybrid electric version (HEV) of Tiguan delivering enhanced economy. This marks a return of gas-electric hybrids to the VW lineup after a short hiatus. 

Our SEL R-Line Turbo tester included the upboosted engine, a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine cranking out 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet for torque providing extra zest when punching the accelerator. The standard four-cylinder turbo cranks out 201 horses. Both engines utilize regular, 87-octane fuel with the SEL R-Line turbo boasting a 15.6-gallon tank. A conventional eight-speed automatic transmission arrives standard with both engines. Pricing starts at $30,805 for a 2026 front-drive S trim, a $560 increase from 2025 but represents a decently equipped package within a base choice. Our 2026 SEL R-Line tester arrived with just about every bell and whistle standard and a $43,085 starting price. Tack on the $1,475 destination charge and the bottom line dropped to $44,560. Base pricing stands slightly higher than other imports from compact Asian rivals but on par with European selections. 

Tiguan and the lighting techs formulated an artful, glowing touch hyping the iconic V over W circular logo found within the SEL R-Line Turbo. While centering the upfront grille, the letters glow white at night with a neon hint with a top-side white lightbar extending through the circle to each end of the headlight housings. Out back, the logo stands prominently, only this time partnering with red tones shared by a narrow light bar running east-west across the hatch door underscoring the VW celebration. The SEL R-Line Turbo also exclusively benefits from inclement weather lights up front (think old-school fog lights with a twist) when the going gets sloppy. As an added exclamation mark, SEL R-Line adds puddle lights beaming down the VW logo to the nighttime pavement from projects generated from the side view mirrors. 

Large, sizeable rear side doors open to supply ample room to easily maneuver in and out. Some compact rivals design squeeze these dimensions requiring extra body torque upon entry. Once inside, sizeable headroom awaits along with better-than-anticipated leg room all delivering a second-row experience a step above many rivals. Two average-sized adults continue to enjoy maximum benefits with the fold-down center arm rest (with two beverage holders) although in a pinch, three riders could coexist for short durations. Both front and rear participants enjoy a sense of silence not historically associated with past compact VWs. Tiguan's quiet interior rivals that of VW's luxury Audi division. 

Backrests manually fold flat onto seat cushions generating 69.8 cubic feet of room. With seat backs prone, a usable 37.6 cubic feet awaits. These numbers inch closer to what other compact crossover rivals offer. 

Front LED lighting includes adaptive mobility, which illuminates corners more effectively especially at night. The rear lift gate includes a power-format lift in SEL R-line Turbo trims including a foot-swipe opportunity assisting with hands-free operation. The SE and SE R-Line trims includes a power lift feature without the hands-free opportunity

An electronic start/stop push push-button locates between the front bucket seats and away from the steering column for much easier access. While most rivals of all sizes offer a circular format, Tiguan chooses a square shape to push down when starting and finishing the drive. To the right resides a multi-purpose twist dial combining audio volume levels and a drive mode selector welcoming a multitude of drive modes including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Custom, Off Road and Snow. These six options may also select through the multi-function center screen main menu through the settings icon and drive mode option. 

The electronic transmission motivates from a right-side steering column stalk with a thick end point which utilizes a twist to maneuver to change from Reverse (backward twist) to Neutral to Drive (forward twist). Summoning Park requires a gentle nudge of the stalk's end cap. This follows a popular current trend of relocating the shifters. The first two Tiguan generations located the shifter in between front buckets. The new home opens up the area's design for a multi-tiered arm rest and standard wireless Smartphone charger. 

Phones stand tall and stay pinned to the left side within an open pit thanks to a plastic retracting, clip-like plastic clamp; the one caveat being that the phone's screen side remains largely out of the driver's sight. 

Kudos for VW adding a massaging function, exclusive to the SEL-R-Line Turbo, providing extra comfort to front to both leather-like front row bucket seating surfaces. Controlled from the center touch screen, both front seats enjoy several pressure point selections (up to 10) lasting up to thirty minutes; a nice extra usually only found within luxury-branded products. 

Tiguan features one the largest center screens within a compact-sized crossover, measuring in at 15 inches, dimensions usually reserved for full-sized crossovers and exclusive to the SEL R-Line This flat-screen design rests upon a mid-dash shelf extending up beyond the dashboard's top. Lower trims still enjoy a sizeable 12.9-inch size. Both touch-sensitive screens boast wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto connectivity, built-in Wi-Fi and operate via voice recognition. Climate controls also build into the bottom portion of the screen monitored by finger-slide operation and touch action, which takes slightly more effort and eye contact than old-school tactile dials located outside the screen.

The base menu includes two swappable screens with 18 options from which to choose. The ambient light icon selection allows multiple backlit hue options on the doors, overall interior and even within the center touch screen. 

The bright, all-digital, 10.5-inch rectangular digital cockpit pro remains a separate entity from the multi-function screen residing deeper within the dash back of the manually-adjusting steering wheel. Several unique screen layouts select from a 'view' button at the 9 o'clock post on the steering wheel's right wing. Once pressing 'view,' the nearby up/down arrows cycle through panel options.

This third-generation Tiguan brings forth welcome updates resulting in a huge improvement over the previous effort. It's quieter, rides smoother with a light steering feel and the elimination of the impractical third row saves weight. While the base engine boasting 201 horsepower provides more than enough power to plow through suburban traffic, the SEL-R-Iine Turbo's engine adds zest with few equals in this class and worthy of the top-trim's extra cash outlay. 

Tiguan, as with most 2026 VWs sold within the United States, qualifies for 24-hour roadside assistance for three years or 36,000 miles. In addition, a pair of complimentary, 'carefree' maintenance sessions are available at one-and-two-year intervals (or 10,000 and 20,000 miles) at participating VW dealerships. Historically, these maintenance perks once solely belonged to luxury brands. 

2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo
Price as tested: $44,085
Engine: 2.0-liter four cylinder 
Horsepower: 268
Wheelbase: 109.9 inches
Length: 184.4 inches
Width: 73 inches
Height: 66.5 inches 
Powertrain warranty: Four years/50,000 miles
City/Highway economy: 22 mpg / 29 mpg
Assembly: Pueblo, Mexico