2023 Volkswagen Tiguan review: 162TSI R-Line

If you caught our medium SUV Megatest, you might have spotted a near-identical 'Nightshade Blue' Tiguan 162TSI R-Line.

With the context of a $50K ceiling, the top-spec (R performance flagship notwithstanding) VW Tiguan couldn’t contest top-place honours with the comfortable and spacious X-Trail Ti ($50,490 before on-road costs).

Thing is, if your budget stretches to $57,790 (before on-road costs) and you’re a keen driver, the all-wheel drive turbo-petrol Tiguan is an awfully charming medium SUV. Space-efficient and classily finished inside without being gaudy, the Tiguan is backed up by a chassis that feels more hot hatch than soft-roader.

You’ll struggle to get one at the moment, of course, because this 162TSI R-Line is the variant everyone wants. VW will sell you a slightly de-contented Monochrome version if you wish, which gets the adaptive dampers and punchy engine that make this Tiguan such a compelling package.

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Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI R-Line: The basics

JUMP AHEAD

• How much is it, and what do you get?
• How do rivals compare on value?
• Interior comfort, space and storage
• What is it like to drive?
• How much fuel does it use?
• How safe is it?
• Warranty and running costs
• VERDICT
• Specifications

How much is it, and what do you get?

At the top of the regular non-R Tiguan tree, you’re given a choice of turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel or petrol power and the option of luxo Elegance or sporty R-Line trims.

The confident diesel pairs brilliantly with Elegance ($55,790 before on-road costs), but the R-Line is deserving of the more alert petrol powertrain.

The R-Line cops a host of visual tweaks such as a handsome body kit, 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels and chrome garnishes to denote its sporty status.

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The test car has a few extras, including a Sound and Vision package bringing a head-up display, surround-view camera and a classy 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system for $2600. A panoramic sunroof will cost you an extra $2000 on top. Premium paint like our test car's Nightshade Blue is $900.

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How do rivals compare on value?

The Tiguan splits mainstream and premium positioning in Australia – not quite as glam as an Audi Q5 35 TDI ($67,900), but decidedly dearer than a top-spec Mazda CX-5 Akera ($54,000) and Nissan X-Trail Ti-L ($52,990) – all before on-road costs.

Volkswagen’s great perceived quality, powerful engine, planted chassis and clever cabin packaging justify Tiguan’s semi-prem position better than the Peugeot 3008 GT-Line ($63,390 before on-road costs).

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Interior comfort, space and storage

VW's upmarket pitch is more than smoke and mirrors.

You can feel the sturdiness and quality of the uniform paint finish as you grab the Tiguan’s door handles (all of which are equipped with comfort access sensors).

Once inside, you’ll find extremely ergonomic vertically laid-out controls that make the cabin feel spacious – if not cutting-edge on the technology side.

The Tiguan’s 9.2-inch touchscreen is smaller than you’ll find in an up-spec Golf, but the Tiguan’s dual-zone climate controls are mercifully separate, located lower down with capacitive touch sliders. These can be finicky at first, but you grow accustomed to the functionality with time.

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Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard as of the December 2021 facelift, too, which is a frustrating rarity among mainstream medium SUVs. A pair of USB-C charge points and an inductive smartphone charging pad feature to keep devices juiced up.

While it’s been around for a while, VW’s 10.25-inch digital instrument display is yet to be outdone within its competitive set. It’s incredibly legible and with the ability to show a moving interactive map, allowing you to predict the road ahead with soothsayer-like accuracy. It also means you’re unlikely to get lost in an unfamiliar city with the standard navigation.

Material quality is respectable, if not ultra-plush. There are soft plastics where they matter such as on the dash and front door cards, and the door bins are flock-lined to stop bottles rattling about. Interestingly, the Tiguan we drove in Sydney appeared to have slightly lower build quality than our Melbourne tester, with a few dash creaks evident over nasty bumps.

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Seating is taken care of by heated and power-adjustable leather-appointed pews that are just to die for – supportive in the bolsters without ever being ‘too’ sporty for a family SUV; very well judged, Volkswagen.

It may be one of the shortest medium SUVs – just over 10cm longer than something like a Kia Seltos or Mazda CX-30 from the next size down – but the Tiguan is tremendously accommodating, with its high roof guaranteeing great headroom and a sliding bench allowing you to shift priorities between occupant and cargo space.

Tiguan boot space

With a maximum boot capacity of 615 litres (even minimum load space is 520L), the Tiggy’s a very clever car.

Under the boot floor is a space-saver spare tyre, while there are practical shopping bag hooks, hidden netted areas, and the ability to install a cargo net thanks to four tie-down points.

For those chasing more space and a third row, the Tiguan is available in long-wheelbase Allspace guise, too.

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What is it like to drive?

With an upright driving position, low dash and generous glass house, the Tiguan has excellent visibility in all directions making it easy to judge each corner, unlike larger and more heavily-styled rivals.

This more conventional shape may look a little dated to some, but the Tiguan is certainly not dated in the way it drives. The Tiguan range offers four powertrain choices in total, including the aforementioned diesel and two lower-tune petrols, but the high-power 162TSI is Australia’s favourite.

In this state of tune, the VW Group's ubiquitous ‘EA888’ engine is powerful, tractable and refined, with a little bit of exhaust bark at high revs to match the sporty character. Although some bemoan dual-clutch transmissions, Volkswagens equipped with the wet-clutch variety shift smoothly and – generally – reliably.

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The seven-speed DSG is quicker and more satisfying to use than a conventional automatic, too.

The Tiguan is also equipped with strong brakes attached to a reassuringly meaty pedal.

Steering in this R-Line model has a progressive ratio, so it requires very little effort around town with its sharp 2.1-turn lock-to-lock ratio, though at higher speeds the tiller settles and is never nervous like a Tesla Model Y’s sharp rack can be.

Standard-fit adaptive dampers are rare at this point in the market and bestow the R-Line with excellent breadth, providing both a comfortable urban ride in Comfort mode (despite 255/40 series Continentals wrapped around 20-inch alloys) yet rock-solid body control in Sport mode.

If there are some complaints, the Tiguan can sometimes be a little abrupt over the worst sharp-edged bumps whereas rivals with more sidewall iron out the hits. But the cabin refinement and NVH suppression are superb, and the suspension is never noisy.

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How much fuel does it use?

The Tiguan 162TSI R-Line is rated to use 8.5L/100km in the combined ADR 81/02 cycle.

In the real world, you’ll see that closer to 9.0L/100km in a mix of urban and suburban driving, with it falling closer to 7.0L/100km on long highway slogs.

Volkswagen recommends 95 RON premium unleaded petrol for the Tiguan 162TSI R-Line.

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How safe is it?

The Volkswagen Tiguan scored five stars in 2016 safety testing – although with ANCAP’s updated protocol, that is no longer considered valid in 2023.

Of its rivals, the Tiguan has one of the most relaxing semi-autonomous modes. Highway Travel Assist is what VW calls it, and it combines adaptive cruise control with lane-trace assist to ease nerves on the freeway.

As part of the $2600 Sound and Vision pack you get a 360-degree camera, though its resolution could be better. Further driver assistance systems include auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist and junction detection, as well as reverse AEB. For 2023, the Tiguan is still not fitted with blind-spot monitoring or rear cross-traffic alert.

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Warranty and running costs

The Volkswagen Tiguan is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty in Australia.

Servicing is due every 12 months or 15,000km, Volkswagen offering both capped-price plans and the ability to pre-purchase service packs, which is the most affordable way to go. A three-year/45,000km pack costs $1650, while a five-year/75,000km pack is $2950.

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VERDICT

If you want the best mainstream medium SUV when it comes to driving dynamics, engine and drivetrain calibration, it’s hard to go past a Tiguan.

However, it is expensive in its class, and with its expired ANCAP rating and slightly old-hat cabin design, some of its rivals are looking pretty enticing in showrooms.

The Tiguan really hits back as a vehicle to live with, though. At 4.5 metres long it’s barely bigger than a hatchback, so it’s easy to park. Yet the space inside is scarcely believable – this is an excellent inner-city family car.

Even though the 162TSI R-Line is expensive and in short supply, Tiguan’s broad range means there’s probably one that fits your budget; both 110TSI and 132TSI are well worth considering.

Although not a comparison winner, the Tiguan remains one of the best medium SUVs out there.

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