The VW Tiguan is one of the best cars VW builds. When it revealed its full-blown Tiguan ‘R’ model in 2020, the world accepted it with open arms as buyers could get a taste of Golf 8 R performance in a higher and more practical package. The SA market had to wait as it was only locally introduced in October 2022; the question is, was it worth the wait?
Let’s talk looks
Off the bat, the Tiguan R looks pretty good. Our tester was finished in a rather stunning Dolphin Grey Metallic paint and sporting optional 21-inch Estoril alloy wheels. The one drawback when it comes to its looks is that it resembles a normal Tiguan R-Line, except for the blue ‘R’ badges and quad exhausts at the rear. Look, it’s not a bad thing, but VW could have made it look a little bit more special.
The interior
The Tiguan cabin does look good and is generously equipped. As standard, you get a panoramic sunroof, digital instrument cluster, electrically powered leather seats, four USB-C ports for practicality, and tri-zone climate control. Being a German manufacturer, there are quite a few boxes to tick in the extras, as our tester came with options such as the Inductive Mobile Charging System, Harman Kardon Sound System, Easy Open Keyless Entry, IQ.Light LED Matrix headlights, Area view camera system with Park Assist and Park Distance Control, Trailer hitch, and IQ.Drive: Adaptive Cruise Control, Pedestrian Monitoring, and Autonomous Emergency Braking. These options tally up to R90k plus.
At a million-plus price tag, there are a few niggles, such as quite a bit of plastic being used in the cabin. Another niggle, which might not be a deal-breaker for some, is the steering wheel controls, which have haptic feedback. We found ourselves mistakenly pressing these buttons unintentionally at times while driving. The Tiguan does make up for it with a decent amount of standard features and plenty of boot space, as well as head/legroom.
Performance and drive
The Tiguan R shares the same engine as the Golf 8 R, which is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder producing a healthy 235 kW and 400 Nm of torque. The engine is strong and always has a sense of urgency. The Tiguan R channels its power through its 4MOTION all-wheel drive system via a 7-speed DSG transmission. The ride is a tad firm, but it surprisingly rides decently despite sitting on 21-inch wheels with low-profile tyres. In terms of handling, this thing is a peach. You can call it a family apex hunter. As much as it gains speed rapidly, it also stops pretty well.
VW claims 8.8 L/100 km, and to be honest, you’ll only achieve that number while driving exclusively on the highway. During our stint, we managed a best of 7.4 L/100 km on a 600 km trip to Durban. With mixed driving, we settled at 10 L/100 km before handing the keys back.
Verdict
Overall, the VW Tiguan R shines as one of VW’s best cars, combining power, agility, and elegance. Its appealing design and well-equipped cabin make it a desirable choice, while its performance and handling live up to the ‘R’ badge’s reputation. With the price tag of R1,118,300.00, some might question the value for money, especially with optional extras driving up the cost. Nonetheless, for those seeking a high-performance SUV with ample space and a touch of luxury, the VW Tiguan R proves to be a compelling option. And yes, it was worth the wait.
