235kW for cheap! 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan R review: Grid Edition | Cut-price Audi SQ5 rival races in

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan R is an outlier in the mainstream Mid-size SUV segment. You see, properly performance-focused models in this class are a rarity in 2023, so this cut-price Audi SQ5 rival is looking to have all the fun.
But that fun factor just got a whole lot easier to access thanks to the release of the Tiguan R's new entry-level Grid Edition. The ongoing global semiconductor shortage has its challenges, but Volkswagen Australia has taken it as an opportunity to lower the cost of its hot mid-size SUV.
As such, the Tiguan R Grid Edition forgoes some of the 'regular' model's luxury and safety features, including Matrix LED headlights and blind-spot monitoring, but are they really missed?
In this expert review, CarsGuide Contributing Journalist Richard Berry puts the Tiguan R Grid Edition through its paces to find if it stands up on its own, or if you're better off paying full-whack for its more expensive sibling.
#Volkswagen #Tiguan #review
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Timecodes:
00:00 Intro
01:07 Pricing and features
02:23 Design
03:02 Under the bonnet
03:47 Driving #1
04:49 Efficiency
05:06 Ownership
05:22 Practicality
05:45 Safety
06:42 Driving #2
07:40 Verdict
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[@andyxmunoz]

I'm glad my salesman talked me out of the Taos and into a 2023 Tiguan R, super happy and impressed with it.

[@MrBruster78]

Not great value, I would happily pay the extra $6k to get leather, auto seats, heads up display, matrix lights, auto tailgate….. $6k is excellent value to get all this

[@markiesmark]

Everyday of the week.

[@Donaqueen777]

There are a couple of golf r line reviews done in AU but I wish you could do one. Love your reviews.

[@scotnoco]

Love it! and loved the review! Only wish the capacitive buttons in the steering wheel where optional and could get the regular buttons instead :D

[@markchesterfield6118]

Berry, you are an absolute nut job! Please, please don't ever change!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@dutchie7302]

no ....... change

[@jimbrown5552]

Watching from Ireland

[@426dfv]

i'm wondering when is the new model coming to Australia...

[@haymont78]

I have no doubt it will be a fun drive but heck after test driving the lower trim models that interior made me sad and that infotainment system actually made me angy. The mist unintuitive thing I've ever used. It was fun to drive but the for me a car also needs to be simple to drive. Instead I was left quite underwhelmed. It's not a premium brand and if they're asking premium price tags

[@nikolasb2933]

Engineered to break down the day after the warranty expires.

[@mvnorsel6354]

Lake Mountain is getting a workout.

[@oliver_mendi]

So like a Tiguan R pure version (pure from bmw M models)

[@davidforbes6250]

Helps if you are sporting nail polish I see!

[@vc8160]

It doesn’t help his driving ability!

[@Fureddo28]

I have blind spots warning and rear cross traffic alert on mine. Too bad this option isn’t available in your country. (I own the “regular” Tiguan R though)

[@chrissydney5451]

It usually is, however with the global chip shortage, this Tiguan R ‘Grid Edition’ is a limited edition and as such has equipment missing and priced accordingly.

[@Fureddo28]

@@chrissydney5451 I see!🤓
Never thought this issue would force VW to offer a trimmed down version of its flagship Tiguan…

[@trojanhman8136]

Wouldn't you pay the $6K extra (If you could afford the incredible price).

[@reddpill]

Maybe a good car but it's still not worth the current 70k+ asking price.

[@jimbrown5552]

On my short list

[@dsinghr]

Next gen is around the corner. Current Tiguan sound insulation is very poor..

[@sackeycharliejeremiah1923]

It's over price reduce price please Mercedes have more extras and comfort but their prices are reasonable

[@carlboo1122]

Went into a few dealers this car was over 73 thousand and over drive away dealers must be trying to burn people like normal

[@chrisallen9009]

Compare to Landrover,Porsche cayenne..The Tiguan R is good value..as I own one..& a friends Landrover 40k more

[@vc8160]

Someone’s been watching too much throttle house intros!

[@BaggySu]

You become Nic Cage 😅

[@mostlikely...]

🏁🏆

[@pieterholwerda3335]

Is that nail polish????

[@ashtonkee5868]

How many pints did you have? 😂

[@romb1818]

How could a car with this price can be Cheap or Bargain? 🤦
Are you a CEO or what? 😂
In the BCS, it is "cheaper than...", but Not Cheap.

[@jetta.josh4]

This car is so weird to me as an American. It’s not the “Allspace” as the rest of the world calls it. This isn’t even a real Tiguan for us. We have the larger one. This “half space” model is just weird and disproportionate.

[@vc8160]

What’s with the green nail polish? Don’t tell me that the new level of male acceptable appearances…..

[@pieterholwerda3335]

Yes, makes you query sanity levels.

[@washout04]

Not a fan.

[@JJ-wi2uw]

Painted nails? 🤨

[@mvnorsel6354]

Matches the car colour?😅

[@exhibitD79]

You think everyone should be like you?

[@Ricardo-ur7tp]

Typical keyboard warrior. Weak as piss

[@nickn1905]

🎉😂❤

[@fletcher6227]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jethrox827]

It's designed for the woke guy with painted finger nails, who's wife won't let him get a Golf R

[@jethrox827]

@@tonymillar5342 I meant boy friend