Summary
The Volkswagen Tiguan R was a high-performance version of the regular second-generation Tiguan SUV range, which was launched when the Tiguan received a 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 featured 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 blended the space and practicality of an SUV with the acceleration and pace of the Golf R hot hatch, which used 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 explained. “It’s not as fun as a Golf R, but it’s pretty comfortable.”
Several reviewers noted that the ‘hot’ SUV was 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 was within the Tiguan R’s price range put a dent in Volkswagen’s value-for-money reputation too.
Richard Lane of Autocar praised the Tiguan R for its strong residual values, and pointed out that it was faster and cheaper than similar vehicles like the Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 and BMW X2 M35i. But for a rewarding driving experience combined with family practicality, he suggested opting for the cheaper Golf R estate instead.
As of April 2024, the Volkswagen Tiguan R holds a Used Car Expert Rating of D, with a score of 57%. It scores fairly poorly across the board, with a D grade for media reviews, safety, eco credentials and running costs.
- Volkswagen Tiguan (2016 to 2024) – Expert Rating
- More Volkswagen Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
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 tests 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
The Volkswagen Tiguan R was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.
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
As of April 2024, the Volkswagen Tiguan family has a fairly 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 and braking systems, which account for nearly half of all warranty claims between them. These 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.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Volkswagen Tiguan R, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Alfa Romeo Tonale | Audi RS Q3 | BMW X2 M35i | Cupra Ateca | Jaguar E-Pace | Mini Countryman John Cooper Works | Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 | Porsche Macan S | Volkswagen T-Roc R
- Volkswagen Tiguan (2016 to 2024) – Expert Rating
- More Volkswagen Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
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