Name: Volkswagen Tiguan R (2020 – ) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Volkswagen Tiguan R
Rating: 56

Summary

The Volkswagen Tiguan R is a high-performance version of the regular Tiguan SUV range, which has been on sale since the Tiguan’s mid-life facelift in 2020.

This is not to be confused with the Tiguan R-Line, which is a range-topping trim in the regular SUV range that features many of the Tiguan R’s design elements both inside and out, but none of its performance upgrades.

Described as a “fantastic all-rounder” by What Car?, the Tiguan R blends the space and practicality of an SUV with the acceleration and pace of the Golf R hot hatch, which uses the same 320hp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine.

“It certainly doesn’t hang about – put your foot down and it just goes”, Carwow‘s Mat Watson explains. “It’s not as fun as a Golf R, but it’s pretty comfortable.”

Several reviewers have noted that the ‘hot’ SUV is not as engaging to drive as other R variants in the Volkswagen range, with Jordan Katsianis of Evo coming to the conclusion that the Tiguan R “lacks its own clear personality”, and recommending a test drive in the “more sophisticated” Porsche Macan instead. The fact that the Macan is within the Tiguan R’s price range puts a dent in Volkswagen’s value-for-money reputation too.

Richard Lane of Autocar praises the Tiguan R for its strong residual values, and points out that it’s faster and cheaper than similar vehicles like the Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 and BMW X2 M35i. But if you’re looking for a rewarding driving experience combined with family practicality, he suggests opting for the cheaper Golf R estate instead.

As of January 2024, the Volkswagen Tiguan R holds an Expert Rating of 56% on our award-winning Expert Rating Index, which is lower than the current score of the regular Tiguan range.

Tiguan highlights

Composed and comfortable on the road
Strong resale values
As spacious and practical as the normal Tiguan
Acceleration and pace
Well-equipped as standard

Tiguan lowlights

Upmarket rivals have more interior quality
High running costs
Fiddly touch-sensitive infotainment
More expensive than Golf R estate
Porsche Macan is more fun to drive

Key specifications

Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol
Price: From £48,540 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2020
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen Tiguan R is a good all-rounder. It’s fast (if not all that economical) while it offers secure and predictable handling and plenty of easily accessible performance.”
Read review

Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen Tiguan R succeeds as a hot SUV because of its versatility. In comfort mode it’s barely any more taxing than a 2.0-litre TDI model and rides arguably better than the standard Tiguan line-up, owing to adaptive suspension.”
Read review

Autocar+

Score: 7 / 10
“Rabidly quick, spacious and easy to drive, but there are finer fast SUVs at this price”
Read review

Car+

Score: 8 / 10
“As SUVs go, the Volkswagen Tiguan R is a cracker.”
Read review

Carbuyer+

Model reviewed:
Score: 7.2 / 10
“It may seem odd to create a performance model out of a big, boxy SUV, but the result is a car that is both sporty and practical.”
Read review

Carwow+

Model reviewed:
“The Tiguan R certainly doesn’t hang about – put your foot down and it just goes. It’s not as fun as a Golf R, but it’s pretty comfortable.”
Read review

Evo+

Score: 6 / 10
“VW’s best-selling SUV, the Tiguan R, is competent and refined, but it lacks its own clear personality.”
Read review

Top Gear+

Score: 6 / 10
“The Volkswagen Tiguan R is a very competent and very quick thing, and it’ll no doubt sell well given the lack of rivals that match its size and performance figures.”
Read review

What Car?+

Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen Tiguan R is a fantastic all rounder.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: June 2016
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 96%
Child protection: 80%
Vulnerable road users: 68%
Safety assist: 68%

The Volkswagen Tiguan R shares its safety rating with the regular Tiguan range. Euro NCAP put the Tiguan through its paces back in 2016, awarding the car a top-level five-star safety rating.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2024, the Volkswagen Tiguan R has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 202
Average repair cost: £620.62
Last updated: January 2024

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Volkswagen Tiguan has an above average reliability score, according to exclusive extended warranty data provided by our partner MotorEasy. This score covers all the current-generation Tiguan (including Tiguan R) and the original (pre-2016) models.

The Tiguan’s most common mechanical problems relate to the SUV’s suspension, which account for close to a third of all warranty claims. These suspension repairs are relatively inexpensive, with an average repair bill of just over £250. Worth watching out for are gearbox problems, which are not hugely common but which have an average repair bill of about £2,200.

Given the below-average reliability score and potentially expensive bills, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase for a Volkswagen Tiguan covers all of these potential problem areas.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	225 g/km	D	225 – 226 g/km	D – D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	41	D	36 – 50	C – F

We have rather limited whole-life cost numbers for the Volkswagen Tiguan R, data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

While we do not have data on the car’s fuel efficiency or servicing, we do know that the SUV’s insurance premiums are higher than the market average.