NEW Volkswagen Tiguan R review: just as good as a Golf R?

The VW Tiguan R is quite possibly one of the most versatile cars on sale today. Not only is it hugely practical and can comfortably seat up to five people, it's blisteringly fast. It'll blitz a 0-62mph sprint in 4.9 seconds and go all the way on to a limited top speed of 155mph. Incredible, for a family SUV.
But the question is: does it capture the magic of the Golf R it's based on? Or is it just a glammed up Tiguan R-Line? We've put the Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 rival to the test to see whether it lives up to the R name.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:48 Design
2:03 Performance upgrades
2:53 Engine specs
3:47 Interior design
4:44 Tech
6:18 Price
6:58 Driving
9:48 Is it as good as a Golf R?
13:00 Verdict
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[@RandomJunk99]

Comparison to the Golf R is pretty valid. We had the Golf R and wanted a bigger version of the same thing - so this was the obvious choice. We looked at the Macan, but speccing it to similar levels to the Tiguan makes it considerably more expensive. (We managed 5k discount on the list price with our options.)

[@SirThomasHarber]

Love that intro music!

[@ellishaindobo1794]

Awesome review. I would prefer this over a base Macan.

[@YesAutoUK]

Thanks Ellis! Interesting. While I personally think the Porsche is more appealing, it'll no doubt cost a fair bit more once you add options. But the Tiguan R really is very impressive. - Cam

[@thomasstevie]

Great review, but I would wait for the Golf R estate

[@howardgregory3888]

Anything that avoids the dash out of the Golf Mk8 would get my vote. Knobs and switches are fine with me. Thanks for the review.

[@pigeonpoo1823]

Good review. Perhaps the sweet spot of the range is slightly further down the food chain........

[@petersmith2040]

Agree. The sweet spot seems to be the Tiguan R-Line which also comes with Haldex AWD Torque Vectoring and cost a lot less than the Tiguan R.

[@rodrigoguedes2821]

Simplesmente M A R A V I L H O S O!!!!!!!

[@krane15]

Keep in mind that the Porsche at that price is entry level, while the VW is top-of-the-line. In other news, it needs fog light and better bucket seats.

[@KainSwiss]

Trust me it needs no fog lights at all

[@krane15]

@@KainSwiss They can add distinctiveness, even if the effectiveness is limited. See Japanese and Korean examples.

[@johnraisbeck9756]

Always wonder why VW nickel and dimes on small stuff. Hood strut? Infotainment! No HUD? Good review!

[@fastdays_1]

How you can take a Macan for that price? maybe the first series Macan but it's quite dated and with some miles on it...but a new one? try to spec a decent one and the price would not be anywhere near this...

[@gheorghepacurariu4045]

Is dsg a dq381 or a dq501 ?

[@francescocucchiara4613]

Beautiful w tiguan premium

[@krane15]

Instead of limited polarizing blue, I'd like to see body colored calipers -- a very distinctive, industry leading feature. It would signal the exclusive model look, yet increase the number of available colors for this vehicles.
Perhaps and additional whites, and two reds. While I'm at it, a chrome delete or black package that blacks out the chrome and even, body colored finder surround. Changes that are distinctive, yet still subtle.

[@vc8160]

Body coloured calipers? Japanese perhaps?

[@insanegixxerdude486]

the macan will also cost you loads more in parts and maintenance/upkeep.

[@scottdavies9336]

This review really depresses me. Since I live in the US I can't get one for some reason. I have the cash and they don't want it. I guess they just lost a sale!

[@andrewjames4835]

It really annoys me, how many reviewers are comparing this to the Golf R!! honestly, its a mid size SUV not a small nimble hatchback. All I hear is, its not as fast as the Golf R, its not as agile as the Golf R, its got more roll than the Golf R...........No Sh*t!!!! its a bloody SUV. these need to be compared to the equivalent SUV's not the Golf R...

[@YesAutoUK]

It's because the Tiguan R does a great job of replicating the Golf R recipe in a car that's taller and heavier than the hatch. A direct comparison with rivals would be unfair without doing a back-to-back, but we touched on the Porsche Macan being a car that could tempt you away. Besides, many would have looked at the Golf R and thought "I want that in a bigger car", so natural to draw comparisons - Cam

[@krane15]

Hear, hear.

[@ralentinovossi8081]

So he just did a 0-62 test run at a turn?

[@mightymeatball8535]

Matt watson on carwow had the tiguan 0-60 In 4.2 seconds and the golf R 3.9 seconds

[@David-vz5mv]

They never give us the cool stuff in America. 😥

[@jimbrown5552]

My next car

[@greggraziani1559]

The Porshe Macan is slower and in a lower build quality , slower and less powerful remember same motor but detuned, you are thinking oh i drive a Porshe so I must be better well you need to think again

[@billparker5425]

The muppet is back 🙄

[@YesAutoUK]

I mean... I'm the presenter so... I'll be back twice a week. - Cam

[@davedoesyt]

Don’t watch then?

[@sanjsharma9903]

This guy is boring