The potent Volkswagen Tiguan R has touched down in South Africa and we’ve had a go in the 235-kW medium SUV, which costs a whisker under R1 million. Is it any good? It should be. Here’s our first drive report from the Western Cape.
The concept of a performance-oriented family car (medium SUV) sounds a bit daft, doesn’t it? However, these types of vehicles have proven highly popular throughout the past few years.
Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz offer performance derivatives of their family SUVs and we wouldn’t be surprised if those models comfortably outsell their sedan, hatchback and convertible equivalents. Like it or not, the SUV remains the dominant vehicle body style in the market. Also bear in mind that Volkswagen sells more Tiguans than any other model in its portfolio.
Big wheels. Big brakes. Big performance.
Volkswagen has successfully combined its much-lauded MQB modular platform with the latest iteration of the EA888 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, a 7-speed direct shift automatic gearbox (DSG) and an all-wheel drivetrain to create the Golf R, T-Roc R (not destined for our market, sadly) and the Tiguan R, the latter of which has now arrived in the Republic and will be hitting local showrooms soon, with the Golf 8 R following in the first quarter of 2023.
Rivals to the Tiguan R? Consider the BMW X2 M35i xDrive and Volvo XC40 T5 AWD R-Design, while Mercedes-AMG will be launching GLA 35 and GLB 35 derivatives shortly.
What’s On Offer?
The view of the Tiguan R that you’re likely to see in your rearview mirror… shortly before its shoots past you.
This is the first time that Volkswagen has offered a pukka high-performance Tiguan derivative. The pre-facelift model was offered with the 162 kW 2.0-litre engine from the Golf GTI 7.5 and it had an all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup, but although it was certainly brisk, it was not an R model and didn’t deliver the delicious exhaust pops we’ve come to associate with performance VWs.
The new Volkswagen Tiguan R is quite the opposite and comes out swinging with the EA888 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol motor punching out peak outputs 235 kW and 400 Nm. As in its Golf R sibling, all that grunt is channelled to all four wheels via a quick-shifting DSG. The Wolfsburg-based brand claims a 5.1-second 0-100 kph sprint time and you can distinguish the apex Tiguan by its unique wheels, quad exhaust ends, bold R badging and blue brake calipers.
A sporty and well-appointed cabin.
As expected at this price point (R999 900), the Tiguan R’s standard specification is generous – Volkswagen SA has kept the newcomer’s extras list very short. Options include a sonorous Akrapovic performance exhaust system, eye-catching 21-inch alloy wheels, an uprated audio system courtesy of Harman Kardon, as well as additional semi-autonomous safety features.
Standard kit includes 20-inch alloys, a panoramic sunroof, keyless entry, dynamic chassis control, Nappa leather trim, a Discover Pro touchscreen infotainment system with built-in satnav, USB-C ports and a wireless phone charging. Customers can choose from 6 exterior colours.
What’s It Like to Drive?
The Tiguan R packs 235 kW and 400 Nm!
At first glance, the R’s cabin looks much like that of a standard Tiguan derivative, but on closer inspection, you’ll notice subtle performance touches such as the R button on the multifunction steering wheel, the enlarged gearshift paddles and blue stitching on the seats and gear selector.
When you start the engine, it produces a subtle-but-purposeful rumble that sounds far from standard. Our test unit had the Akrapovic exhaust setup, which adds more pronounced gearshift pops and the occasional burble on downshift; it also rode on the optional 21-inch wheels.
The launch event’s test route consisted mainly of long stretches of rural road in the Western Cape’s Swartland region, but rest assured, we carved up a few corners along the way too.
First things first. Just how potent is the Tiguan R “off the line”? Well, once we had found a suitably quiet spot on the open road, we conducted a “mandatory” test of the launch-start system.
Herewith the launch sequence. Hit the R button on the ‘wheel to engage Race mode, set stability control to Sport, keep your left foot on the brake and flatten the accelerator pedal. A message that indicates launch control is active comes up, the engine revs hold steady at 3 500 rpm and, when you’re ready, release the brake. There’s a fraction of hesitation and then the Tiguan R flings itself towards the horizon with gusto, with a lovely bang accompanying each up change.
The straight-line theatrics seem indulgent in a buttoned-up product like the Tiguan, but they’re very entertaining. Launch starts aside, the Tiguan R’s real strength is its ability to muster rapid overtaking acceleration. With 400 Nm on tap from 2 000 rpm via a bolt-action dual-clutch ‘box, it’s never a chore to dispatch slower traffic, even in the non-sporty drive modes. Race opens the exhaust valves and enhances power delivery, so (of course) we used that mode most of the time.
The Tiguan R is fiendishly quick in a straight line, but it can corner quickly and confidently too.
What about cornering ability, though? We’re glad you asked – there’s so much more to performance than a potent engine and raucous exhaust. Volkswagen’s R division has gone to great lengths to make this Tiguan R handle like a performance derivative; the torque-vectoring system directs power to where it’s needed, and monstrous brakes, well, they stop on a dime.
The Tiguan R also sits a bit lower than its sibling derivatives, which lowers its centre of gravity, improves the overall handling balance, and helps to reduce body roll under hard cornering. The steering setup is excellent, with a quick, sharp turn-in (for an SUV) and a light ‘wheel action.
The ride quality is decidedly firm in Race mode.
Any gripes? The larger (21-inch) wheels definitely firm up the ride quality, but thankfully adaptive dampers are fitted to the Tiguan R to decrease the likelihood that you’ll help your chiropractor pay off their holiday house. When traversing poor-quality tarmac while operating in Race mode, the Tiguan R’s suspension thuds (we felt a few impact jolts inside the cabin) – rather use Sport or Comfort instead. Even better, there’s an Individual mode that allows drivers to adjust each of the car’s characteristics, including engine power, noise, suspension setup etc.
We tweaked all the settings to Race but left the suspension in Comfort and the result was near perfect. Anything else? The cabin is a genuinely pleasing space to occupy (the driver’s seat position is excellent), but the Tiguan R suffers the same material and ergonomic issues (such as the fiddly capacitive touchpads on the ‘wheel) that have frustrated us about other VW products.
How much does the Volkswagen Tiguan R cost in SA?
Tiguan R 2.0 TSI 235 kW DSG 4MOTION R999 900
The Tiguan R comes standard with a 3-year/120 000 km warranty, 5-year/ 100 000 km EasyDrive Maintenance Plan and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. The service interval is 15 000 km.
Summary
Given the Golf R’s supply constraints, the Tiguan R makes a serious case for itself.
Volkswagen SA wants to ensure that when its Golf GTI and -R customers’ families grow, they won’t leave the brand. With the Tiguan R, Volkswagen hopes to retain some of those young-at-heart petrolheads who still want an engaging driving experience, but with added practicality.
One of the best aspects of the Tiguan R is its dual nature. You could easily drive it daily, when it would excel as a family vehicle (even in its docile drive modes, it offers credible performance). However, if you like to experience a driving thrill now and again, you’ll take delight in hitting that R button for a quick burst of power and noise. The school run has never been this fun.
The Tiguan R retains all of the best elements of Volkswagen’s family car (medium SUV), but it also has a compelling fun-to-drive factor – with minimal compromise as an ownership proposition. Given the limited availability of the Golf 8 R, which will only arrive during the first quarter of 2023, the Tiguan is arguably the more sensible offering of the two R models. Yes, it’s probably a bit more expensive than its hatchback sibling (will be), but critically, it’s available right now.
