2022 Volkswagen Tiguan R review | Wheels Australia

[@WheelsAustralia]

Is the Tiguan R the fast family SUV you've been waiting for? Or would you rather the smaller but similarly priced Golf R wagon? Tell us below, and read Pete's full review here: www.whichcar.com.au/reviews/2022-volkswagen-tiguan-r-review-launch

[@mail2philk]

Tiguan R is absolutely what I have been waiting for, Im at that point in life where I want a bit of performance, some degree of comfort and not to be crawling into a car.

[@Leo-ei2il]

You can't compare this with SQ5, GLC43 or X3M40i, they are V6 and more expensive. It is more comparable to GLA35, SQ2, X2M35i in terms of power and size. You can add RSQ3 to the mix in terms of size but it's more powerful and expensive (35k extra). GLA35 is 20k+ more expensive, while the SQ2 and X2M35i are on par. Jag E-pace or LR Evoque are the same size, but less power. If you take all the options to make it similar to Tiguan, the price climbs to 95K+ and if you take the same power output eg. 200Kw+, it is even more expensive. Macan is basically a Q5, and probably using the same engine EA888 as Tiguan, I'm not sure though, but again more expensive if you tick all the options that Tiguan have. The choice comes down to luxury or performance. If I have a deep pocket, I'll probably take an RSQ3, it's an extra 35k though. For a 235Kw/400Nm, torque vectoring 4WD system with all the possible options conceivable in a car and cost 83k driveaway, it's an easy decision. Just waiting to see what a dolphin gray and Lapiz blue looks like. I like the Lapiz blue but the household CFO prefers a dolphin gray.

[@peterhess6039]

@@Leo-ei2il poor man’s macan?

[@Leo-ei2il]

@@peterhess6039 Is that the only comment that you can put on Tiguan reviews? I saw your comment in the other review. But to be honest with you, I can afford it now that I am mortgage free after 25 years of paying our house but it doesn't suit my status. I am just a normal employed person that earns a bit over 160k. If I am a businessman or someone that earns megabucks, maybe a Porsche Macan S. An Audi RSQ3 is probably ok.

[@peterhess6039]

@@Leo-ei2il haha - you saw my other comment ! Nice choices You have good taste

[@robinbaass1825]

Needs a full sized spare for Aust country roads, and forest roads. Don't think the kit provided will fix stone/rock damage on a dirt road. Which is where SUVs should be able to go.

[@tyzon00800]

Dribbler

[@laoslegend1972]

Yep it’s a deal breaker for me unfortunately.

[@krane15]

Its not. And I wish manufacturer would stop doing that. A space-saver spare is tolerable. No spare is unacceptable.

[@CT-zw3ch]

Best review I’ve watched on this car!

[@djm8027]

I went to a dealer in 2020 to look at a full spec golf R wagon that was $62000 drive away , ended up buying a R line full kit Tiguan for $65000 drive away. At least the increase with the Tiguan R is justified with a much better vehicle ,but $25000 more for the golf is tough to explain.Also I feel that the Tiguan might be using up the last of its original parts and is due a major upgrade , hopefully VW takes notice of the negative feedback in regards to haptic controls and dumps those at least.

[@farnzy2011]

My drive away price when i ordered was 87k, the exact same drive away price of the golf r wagon when i changed my order to that. The Tiguan does not have the new 4wd system and the interior is a bit lacklustre for a 87k car. Ended up canceling the order all together. Going to wait until the mk8 price drops a bit and dealers stop cashing in on the inability to get stock.

[@zerogeewhiz]

Yeah, we only talk about prices before on-roads unless we’re given drive away pricing. There are definitely pros and cons between them but you’ve clearly got your head around it 👍

[@MrBruster78]

Hi, I was thinking of putting an order in, how the hell did it come to $87k when rrp is $68k? On roads can’t be $20k extra

[@farnzy2011]

@@MrBruster78 ask your dealer, if you find it cheaper let me know

[@MrBruster78]

@@farnzy2011 I’m not being smart I’m being serious I’m curious. I’m not doubting your statement, seems to be the go these days but wanted to know what inflated to that price

[@farnzy2011]

@@MrBruster78 I didn’t mean to be smart, genuine question. If you find it cheaper, let me know. I’m still interested in the car, just not for 87k

[@simianinc]

Surely the Cupra Formentor is also in the running? At least that's the car I'm comparing to this and trying to decide between...

[@juriebezuidenhout2538]

Tiguan R is available in South Africa since 2017 called R line with the top of the rage (R line available from the 1.4 to the 2.0 petrol and disel) been fitted with the Golf R engine. Decent review, open and honest. The sport seat comes standard withthe R line here in SA.

[@iBlogGadget]

The R-Line and R are very different vehicles. Not even compatible.

[@WheelsAustralia]

Thanks for the kind compliment Jurie, much appreciated. But yes, as iBloGadget noted, the R-Line looks similar but has much lower power figures. (Which I think you were alluding to in your comment, but I'm not too sure...) - Mike Stevens

[@saigoneze4465]

Different car buddy .Australia hs had R Line models since 2008 lol

[@juriebezuidenhout2538]

@@saigoneze4465 im not aware of any other manufacturers that have a Tiguan model range other than VW. Go watch the video again and see the reason for my comment. Additional useless info, the Golf R engine has been sold in the Tiguan since 2017, tge first R line Tiguan was sold in South Africa as the first gen favelift 2003

[@Leo-ei2il]

@@juriebezuidenhout2538 you're technically correct that the Tiguan R, Tiguan R-Line (2.0 LT engine) and Golf R are fitted with the same engine (EA888). The R version of Tiguan and Golf is tuned with higher output and probably bigger turbo than the Tiguan R-Line model. The R-Line max power output is around 162Kw/350Nm, while the R on both Tiguan and Golf are now 235Kw/400Nm. That's just one difference in terms of mechanics. The R have extra 4WD function such as torque vectoring, the R-line don't, but technically all 3 have the same Haldex 4wd system.

[@byronwaite2824]

I'm in Canada and I can't find anything on this here no info on the vw Canada web site no release date no marl nothing

[@Coooch6262]

RSQ3 would be its natural competitor for just a little more.

[@zerogeewhiz]

Hi Frank - it is and it isn't. It is just a few bucks more but it's in a different segment. I did think about whether to include it as a competitor and for some people, that would be a good choice. That five-cyliinder egine is amazing.

[@Leo-ei2il]

@@zerogeewhiz It's my second choice but $29K is not a few bucks. You can get the Tiguan for under $83K DA, but the RSQ3 is $111K DA not including the sunroof and choice of colour options. Granted 10k is the badge premium, is the engine worth another 20k? But that 5-cylinder bark is unique.

[@Coooch6262]

Yes, this Tiguan is great value. But the RSQ3 is more than just the amazing engine. Audi Sport has done lots with the suspension and electronics. I'm biased as got in very early and pre-ordered a Sportsback for $103K including roof which now has over a one year wait or commands overs as a used car. The big single turbo took getting used to, but wow, its great daily car that looks so smart and that I can have fun with.

[@Rossy_moin]

Avoid….. worst reliability in a car I’ve ever owned by far…… Vw nz not helpful either.

[@lflyr6287]

Wheels Australia : it's pathetic that a 2022 Tiguan has 520 litres of boot space....when Tucson 2016 already had 514 litres 6 years ago. And back in 2016 the then version of Tiguan was smaller and of lower build quality and with much much lower reliability than the Korean competition as well as it had a much smaller leg space and boot space. It's pitiful to promote such a "MEH" SUV that the competition has overtaken in almost every department years ago. And yeah, promoting it through the TOP TIER model on the 20" wheels is misguiding to potential customers since the "normally trimmed" version looks much much more pathetic and fuglier.

[@jimbrown5552]

My next car

[@giofyocars8581]

Love the blue color and big wheels!

[@BoyceKewute]

The best suv ever in history.... I mean it's a goat suv

[@andrewsmactips]

So refreshing to hear a road tester talk about what the car is actually like to drive. Carrying on the Wheels magazine tradition. Well done.

[@zerogeewhiz]

Thanks Andrew, I’m absolutely chuffed to hear you say that.

[@RD-ni7qe]

The seats in the Grid Edition are wayyyyyyyyyy more supportive and comfortable, which is a bit weird considering the Grid Edition is supposed to be the cheaper model which has equipment compromises...

[@greggraziani1559]

Good review but can you explain how you turn on the heated stearing wheel one needs to be double jointed ar a circus clown to be able to touch the button with the ones hand. also can you tell me which car can fit a 4 ltr water bottle in the normal holders No one drinks that much water on a trip

[@salfield6379]

@wheels if you hold the R button in for a few seconds the individual screen appears

[@krane15]

I hate those integrated head rest seats. They wall off any body seated in the rear.

[@poshladdie]

Gr8 review. ❤ it. Switching from a WRX to the Tiguan R

[@greggraziani1559]

And way better then a macaan cheaper more bits and faster

[@honeyisaac]

i wonder if there is any wait time for this now

[@MrrrrMime]

Touch controls on the wheel is a massive fail and enough to not buy this car

[@georgezablocki6898]

With 21in wheels there is possibly not enough clearance to fit snow chains which are mandatory in Victorian resorts. Is there a snow package to overcome the above issues

[@krane15]

Yes, snow tires.

[@chrismcdonogh4666]

This car has AWD, I don’t believe you need snow chains unless this is also mandatory for all AWD & 4WD

[@angusnz7910]

I thought the Aussie tiggy got the euro tune engine with 420nm?

[@JLM85_]

First batch aren't getting GPF/PPF which means a reduction in torque but no sound sucking Petrol Particulate Filter.

[@nickgentile4574]

Assume it still has drift mode? Did you get a chance to feel the rear end go in the wet?

[@zerogeewhiz]

Hi Nick! Thanks for watching. No drift mode I’m afraid, that’s for the Golf R. Like the seats.

[@vsboy2577]

This guy knows his stuff

[@sch-corp]

This is based on the mk7 Golf/MQB platform isn't it? Golf R wagon seems like a much better bet to me given VW aren't offering any discounts to account for the fact that this is really an old model now. Or the much sexier Cupra Formentor VZx...

[@zerogeewhiz]

Hi Sanjay - definitely on MQB but it might just be on MQB Evo which is an update of the platform. The Tiguan itself is quite old but it’s also not the same car it was six years ago and really, it’s to grab all those SUV sales. Sadly the Golf R wagon just won’t do it for a lot of folks.

[@Goglespurt]

Nope this is based off the new MK8 platform

[@danielwarring]

Does it has the easy open/close tail gate (swipe foot underneath)? Also, what about 360 cameras?

[@espaudio]

Formentor VZx would be my choice over this any day...

[@WheelsAustralia]

Haha, I'm sure Volkswagen Group Australia would be fine with that! - Mike Stevens

[@mail2philk]

If you can't afford a Lamborghini you buy a Porsche, can't afford a Porsche then buy an Audi, can't afford an Audi you buy a VW, can't afford a VW then you buy a Skoda, can't afford a Skoda then you buy a Cupra and the last stop in the VW chain is the good old Seat. They are all great cars, it really just depends on how deep are your pockets for that next step YOU perceive as up.

[@espaudio]

@@mail2philk not about affordability to me. Just better looking. Better equipped. Better (mostly) tech. Latest generation. Tiguan is a facelift and feels it inside

[@DS-en4et]

@@mail2philk Porsche shits on Lamborghini

[@mail2philk]

@@DS-en4et Thank you for your carefully considered reply

[@karl6203]

I don’t really think you can compare a VW to luxury brands. You need to cross shop it against similar brands like Mazda, Toyota, Skoda etc. Comparing it with them, this is pretty expensive.

[@evgenyklimov6472]

They don't even have a car like this.

[@Jay-hr9ci]

Interior is the same shit from 8 years ago.. very disappointing. Nothing special really. And you are lying about the Tiguan being comfortable, especially in the back. The seats are very hard and disgusting.

[@zerogeewhiz]

Lying, you say?

[@krane15]

One man's hard is another man's supportive.

[@lausf01]

Vw is always good only with a warranty.

[@krane15]

Nobody buys a German car for their warranty.

[@clarkkent6642]

Great car as long as under warranty. Body flex is interesting but an amazing drive. A big fan of the dynamics but not of the mechanical build QA.

[@djm8027]

I owned a 2020 162 r line and sold it after 1 year 6000 ks because of worrying rattles and vibrations in the drive line . Fortunately I was able to take advantage of the covid inflation factor and only dropped $5000 . I would love to own the full R and I still think they are better looking than any of the other offerings from Korea, but I don't have confidence in the build.

[@colonelangus2580]

Due if your right hand keeps turning on the heater you need to learn how to hold the steering wheel properly.

[@WheelsAustralia]

I've seen this complained about by more than a few people on the VWROC forums and in one or two reviews (struggling to remember which ones, unfortunately), so I'm not sure it's simply that Peter's incompetent... the guy is a *fairly* experienced steerer. I gather you've driven the Mk8 though? - Mike Stevens

[@davidt3196]

@@WheelsAustralia I wonder if the fact that you and I'm sure many other journo's have seen it complained about influenced Peter subconsciously to complain about it, as was recently shown in the mk8 Golf R it's almost impossible to do but almost always complained about in other reviews and I'm not sure but assume it's the same control layout in both cars.

[@zerogeewhiz]

@@davidt3196 no, I complained about it because it happened to me in this car and the 162 TSI I had on February.

[@saigoneze4465]

Honestly.Wheels need to get a new reviewer.This guy is so slow and lethargic in his presentation .I can see a car enthusiast when I see one and he isn’t one .Reviews Tiguan R but doddles around like a grand pa on Sunday .No spirited driving no real driving insights at all .He stayed on 62kmh the whole time

[@zerogeewhiz]

Are you offering to pay my speeding fines and court costs?

[@WheelsAustralia]

Utterly bizarre comment. - Mike Stevens

[@mail2philk]

You didn't get excited about the ambient internal lighting or the exhaust note adjustment through the info system. Oh well come October I'll have mine that was ordered back in Sept 2021

[@zerogeewhiz]

It’s true, I didn’t. It was fine, though. Glad you’ll eventually get yours. Let us know how it is!

[@mail2philk]

@@zerogeewhiz Well as mine will be the Morel company car it will have something significantly better than the HK system (which I advised the dealer to forget about), a total stealth install and absolutely SQ. After all Morel does supply audio speakers to Pagani, Mazzanti, Tushek & Spigel and a few others we can not name.

[@RG-ld8wv]

Wow congratulations nice ride. Sometimes wish I didn't buy Audi Q3 and waited for this 😕.

[@mail2philk]

@@RG-ld8wv LOL Believe me a few days I've thought what the hell I'll switch to an Audi, I just want the Tiguan R and the wait is killing me.