New features for the 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan Turbo SUV
Volkswagen’s Tiguan compact SUV has a spacious cabin and attractive wood trim.
- This model has 33% more power than the base Tiguan.
- The front and rear light bars of the 2026 VW Tiguan are noticeable.
Compact SUVs are becoming like Labradoodles, so popular that it’s hard to tell them apart.
You want to reach Chakit! First of all, the ball, right?
Introducing the 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan Turbo, the funniest version of the new Tiguan that debuted a few months ago as a 2025 model.
The base 2025 Tiguan is a bit of a little dog with just 201 horsepower. That was an improvement over the previous generation 2024 Tiguan, which made just 184 horsepower, but the base 2025 model is no Greyhound.
In contrast, the 2026 Turbo is a bouncy baby.
The Tiguan Turbo is VW’s first recognition that its SUVs should offer the same sporty driving experience that helped introduce compact cars 50 years ago with the legendary Golf GTI.
That’s a good start.
2026 VW Tiguan Turbo Main Features
- 268 horsepower, 258 pound-feet of torque
- paddle shift
- front and rear light bar
- heads up display
- Illuminated front and rear VW logos
- LED headlights and taillights
- IR reflective sound insulation windshield
- 15 inch touch screen
- harman kardon audio
- 20 inch aluminum wheels
- american walnut dash trim
- Front seats with 10-way ventilation and massage function
- Heated rear outboard seats
How powerful is it? how much? How big is it?
The Turbo currently on sale is the top model of the 2026 Tiguan. It delivers 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque from a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine connected to an all-wheel drive system and eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Turbo sits at the top of the Tiguan model line, with prices starting at $43,085. All prices exclude $1,475 destination charge.
The rest of the Tiguan family is equipped with the same gearbox linked to a 201 horsepower version of the same engine. Pricing starts at $30,805 for the base front-wheel-drive model, and the SEL R-Line Turbo I drove tops out at $43,085.
The 2026 model year introduces the third generation of the Tiguan with all-new sheetmetal, interior, and electronics. It’s about 1.7 inches shorter than the 2024 model, but 0.4 inch taller and 0.6 inch wider. Ground clearance increases slightly. The non-turbo model is slightly lighter despite the new features added. The 2025 Tiguan was not equipped with a turbo.
The Tiguan competes with compact SUVs such as the Chevrolet Equinox and Equinox EV. Ford’s escape. Honda CR-V. Hyundai Santa Fe; Ioniq 5; Kia Sportage and EV6. Nissan Rogue. And Toyota’s RAV4.
Aside from EVs, there are few compact SUVs that offer sporty models, so the Tiguan Turbo has little direct competition.
2026 VW Tiguan trim levels and prices
- S FWD: $30,805
- S 4Motion: $32,305
- SE front-wheel drive: $33,605
- SEE 4Motion: $35,105
- SE R-Line Black FWD: $37,245
- SE R-Line Black 4Motion: $38,745
- SEL R-Line Turbo 4Motion: $43,085
Prices do not include $1,475 destination charge
Source: Volkswagen
Driving impression
The Tiguan Turbo’s additional power comes thanks to a larger turbo that operates at higher boost pressure than the base engine. VW strengthened components such as pistons and connecting rods to withstand higher power output.
VW’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system decouples the rear axle to improve fuel economy at low loads.
On slippery roads or during active driving, up to 50% of the power is sent to the rear wheels. The stability control system has also been tuned for performance and grip.
A ‘Driving Experience Dial’ in the center console manages volume, ambient lighting and drive modes.
It sounds like a usability nightmare, but I found it plain and simple. Sport mode provides more responsive steering and improved throttle response, a benefit that I noticed while driving through the hills and lakes west of Detroit.
The Tiguan Turbo consisted of rough roads and gentle turns under autumn leaves.
Volkswagen has reduced the Tiguan’s weight by up to 170 pounds by eliminating the old model’s largely useless third-row seat and using more aluminum in the suspension and high-strength steel in the body. Savings are reflected in fuel economy and handling.
The interior is spacious, comfortable and quiet. The Turbo is equipped with a standard 15-inch touchscreen. The bottom trim is 12.9 inches, giving you even more screen space than some competitors offer. All trim levels are equipped with a crisp and configurable 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.
Why buy a 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan Turbo?
Every mainstream automaker offers at least one compact SUV. They’re all talented, but few are memorable.
The 2026 Tiguan Turbo is a standout. Its performance, technology, and style may convince some older dogs that they need to learn new tricks.
2026 Volkswagen Tiguan Turbo Overview
Compact SUV with all-wheel drive
5 seater
Base price: $43,085
Now on sale
Price as tested: $43,480
Power: 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
Power: 268 hp @ 5,500-6,500 rpm hp; 258 lb-ft torque @ 1,900-5,250 rpm
Transmission: 8 speed automatic
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway/25 mpg combined. Regular gasoline.
Length: 184.4 inches
Width: 73.0 inches
Height: 66.5 inches
Ground clearance: 7 inches
Passenger volume: 103.8 cubic feet
Cargo Capacity: 33.8 cubic feet behind rear seats. 69.8 with seats folded
Vehicle weight: 4,010 lbs.
Assembled in Puebla, Mexico
Contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark ferran. read more car and sign up for our service automotive newsletter. become a subscriber.
