2023 Volkswagen Tiguan R new car review

Families graduating from a sporty hot hatch to a more practical SUV no longer have to give up the heart-pumping drive experience.

The Volkswagen Tiguan R is the grown up version of the Golf R hatchback.

Volkswagen has expanded its high-performance R range to include the once sensible Tiguan medium SUV. Our family of testers don race suits for this $80,000 thriller.

The Volkswagen Tiguan R medium-size SUV pumps out 235kW/400Nm from its turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

JULES: Wow. Is this my new racing SUV for school drop-off?

IAIN: Absolutely. What mum doesn’t need 235kW, 400Nm and the ability to hit 100km/h in five seconds?

JULES: We’ll never be late again.

IAIN: These rapid Tiguan R SUVs are one of the land’s most in-demand cars. Chip shortages and eager buyers mean a long waiting list.

JULES: It’s a desirable beast. The Lapiz blue body, giant 21-inch alloys, quad exhausts and Matrix LED headlights make it look weapons-grade.

IAIN: With a ballistic price to match. It’s $77,570 drive-away, or almost $82,000 with a panoramic roof and Harman Kardon audio optioned as here.

JULES: Holy hell that’s an expensive VW.

It’s fast, too, hitting 100km/h in just five seconds.

IAIN: Prestige brands aside, rivals are few. The Hyundai Kona N Premium ($52,200) is slower and smaller; the Skoda Kodiaq RS ($69,290) slower and larger, but the new Cupra Formentor VZx ($63,990) shares the Tiguan R’s engine and reaches 100km/h even quicker.

JULES: You’re so predictable, I know you’re going to mention the Golf R.

IAIN: The Golf R Wagon specifically. It’s faster, $1000 cheaper, has the same size boot, is 200kg lighter with a lower centre of gravity and even has a Drift mode.

JULES: Get over it, grand dad. We want SUVs these days, not wagons.

THE LIVING SPACE

IAIN: VW knows about cabin layout. The driving position is great and the 9.2-inch infotainment, digital dash and control panel are smartly thought out.

JULES: Heated and power Nappa leather seats are posh, and the driver gets massaged.

IAIN: But they’re wrong for this car. The seat style is more executive than ‘R’ racer. This version needs the Golf R’s sculpted, bucket-like chairs, or the racy suede/Alcantara inserts and harness holes from a Skoda Kodiaq Sportline.

JULES: The sunroof brightens what is a dark cabin theme, as do 30 different ambient light colours.

There are plenty of luxury features, too.

IAIN: I love the carpeted door bins, there are three USB-C ports, cubbies to sling your phone in and wireless CarPlay/Android Auto. No wireless charging is an oversight, though.

THE COMMUTE

JULES: Good grief this thing shifts.

IAIN: A blue ‘R’ steering wheel button brings the fun. Hold it and the turbo engine goes all rabid mongrel.

JULES: It’s so fast in Race mode. In Comfort the engine’s lazy to respond, but in Sport or Race it’s eager to play.

IAIN: VW’s done a great job making this two cars in one. In Comfort it’s calm, docile and cruisy. Despite rubber band-like tyres it rides really well, superbly mopping up bumps. It’s fine as a daily driver.

JULES: Agreed. Radar cruise control, head-up display and pumping audio work for me.

IAIN: Swipe-activated touch controls for climate and on the steering wheel are too clever for their own good. Simple buttons please VW.

It’s got a huge boot and roomy back seat.

THE SHOPPING

JULES: I’m proud to burble into the Coles carpark in this R. A smart electric tailgate and 360-degree camera are bonuses.

IAIN: The boot’s a decent size at 615 litres but as discussed, a wagon’s lower load height is easier for the grocery run.

SUNDAY RUN

JULES: Do people take SUVs to the track?

IAIN: Tiguan R owners should. I found a twisty rural road and the cornering ability, body control and sheer fun of chucking this Tiguan around was mega.

JULES: Who needs a Golf R, eh?

IAIN: I’d still prefer one, but for a heavier SUV the hot Tiguan’s mind-bending. In Race mode the engine’s pull is ferocious, the dual-clutch gearbox flies through cogs with the help of paddles and the clever torque vectoring rear differential and adaptive chassis control make you a corner-carving hero.

JULES: You enjoy the mechanical stuff, I love the barking noise when flooring it.

IAIN: The Race sound is fun but artificial. Credit to VW, you can select Pure sound and enjoy a natural exhaust note. Windows down, everyone.

JULES: When we tested the Golf R it had a Nürburgring Mode and Drift Mode. They’re all absent in the Tiguan R, but probably for the best.

IAIN: Another reason to get the Golf R Wagon.

THE FAMILY

JULES: The kids have ample space but again I’m grateful for the glass roof or it’d be pretty dark.

IAIN: The rear seats recline and slide, I love that versatility. Kudos for little nets stitched in seat backs to hold phones, and touch-control rear aircon.

JULES: There are the safety aids a mum demands. Front and rear auto emergency braking plus rear cross-traffic alert are the most useful.

IAIN: But let’s talk family budget. For starters we’d have to drop $80k. Then it’s $3200 to service for five years and it drinks only Premium 98 at an 8.8L/100km average. We saw 9.1L/100km overall. Those are prestige brand bills.