We bought our first annual tester for Boston Auto Blog back in December. A 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R Line Turbo. It’s said to be the most impressive compact crossover under $50,000. Its improved performance and long list of features make it a no-brainer on paper. But has the Tiguan lived up to the hype so far? Now, three months and 3,000 miles later, here are our thoughts on VW’s most impressive crossover yet.
The good:
Interior comfort. The leather seats, massaging seat feature, ambient lighting and exceptional interior insulation are all features you would expect from a $60,000 to $70,000 vehicle, but at $45,000 it almost feels like a bargain in this oversaturated and overpriced market. Since some of these features, like the massage seats, aren’t even offered in a brand-new Audi Q5, one could argue that the 3rd-generation Tiguan is a true luxury compact crossover.
Fit and done. I wouldn’t have said this a few months ago, but the Tiguan’s interior isn’t all plastic or sturdy, which is now even more apparent with the introduction of the new Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5. In fact, recent additions to the segment have cemented the Tiguan’s place in this class as it probably goes too far. We’ve seen crossovers get microfiber inserts or fabric padding on trim on numerous occasions. Luckily VW didn’t do that.
It successfully positions itself between the mainstream and luxury markets. Its refinement in terms of performance and ride comfort (exclusively on the highway or outside the city) sets it apart from its closest competitors. While it may be detrimental in the short term, VW has put most of its energy into producing an Audi Q5-like crossover rather than prioritizing fuel efficiency, essentially putting the Tiguan at the top of its class as there are very few rivals that can match the on-road manners and driving experience that VW has brought to this crossover.
The Bad:
Start with the little things I don’t like. It is the main unit. It’s unnecessarily cluttered when VW could easily tidy up the display and make menus and functions easier to access. While I’ve generally disliked new technology in cars lately, the functionality and layout does require a bit of a learning curve since VW doesn’t use Android-based software. On the other hand, this infotainment system is unique and not a copy and paste like we see on many vehicles today.
Technical glitches. It goes without saying that VW needs to fix the errors in its software. There will be days when the backup camera won’t work, but it’s not a constant problem. In rare cases, the infotainment system stops working if it freezes. The cell phone charger stopped working. On the more extreme side, there are error codes, a CEL and/or limp mode, which fortunately has a software update coming soon that will hopefully fix all of these issues.
Stiff suspension when driving in the city. This is a two-parter because there’s another component that goes hand in hand and makes this the most annoying crossover to drive in stop-and-go traffic or busy areas. This suspension does not absorb potholes and bumps well at all. It’s like driving a GTI that makes you cringe and cringe on the way to work. While this stiffer suspension pays off on the highway and in the suburbs, it comes at the expense of not being a smoother ride when commuting to work.
Part 2 is this 8-speed automatic transmission. Honestly, it’s the transmission that I hate the most about this crossover. It’s indecision, lack of refinement when downshifting to 3rd or 2nd gear, the jolts you get when you don’t know what gear you want to put in when you’re driving in stop-and-go traffic. If you live in a colder area, this gearbox hates temperatures around freezing or below. It’s not always a hassle or a headache as upshifts are usually smooth and on the highway or on back roads the transmission isn’t as noticeable. I describe it as spirited, and that applies to the VW Tiguan as a whole. It’s a temperamental vehicle that requires some adjustments to your driving habits to get used to the gear ratios.
The mixed:
Fuel economy can be either good or bad. City driving is miserable in my opinion as it’s entirely possible you won’t get 20mpg and that’s not an exaggeration. On the other hand, I get close to an average of 30 mpg on the highway with a full tank, and if you drive conservatively you could get 400 miles before needing to refuel. I also like that it doesn’t require premium fuel, so I don’t end up broke at the pump during times of high gas prices.
When it comes to the overall performance of this Turbo 4, the results are still not clear even after three months. Sometimes it delivers power like a B9.5 Audi Q5 and other times it feels like the engine is working and gasping for air, which may be more of a software issue than a mechanical one. It’s this lack of consistency that mars the ownership experience a bit, but enough for me to condemn this crossover as a whole.
Alternatives IF you’re put off by the software issues the Tiguan faced this year:
And this is where my disappointment with the compact crossover segment in general comes into play, as the options are very limited. Mazda has taken a step back with the CX-5, Toyota has cheapened the interior and ruined the functionality but made the hybrid powertrain standard, Subaru with the Outback is a great all-rounder but the CVT might put you off, and at this point all that’s left is the tried-and-tested Mazda CX-50, which has its own drawbacks as people complain about the stiff suspension, older technology and exterior trim. They are forced to resort to older crossovers or pay more for luxury and performance-oriented SUVs.
The Tiguan SEL R Line Turbo is the bridge between both markets, but this bridge is very fragile. Their shortlist of great crossovers between $40,000 and $50,000 is so short that it’s frustrating to consider that VW somehow lost out here with this Tiguan. Yes, it embarrasses so many of its competitors with its wealth of amenities, but the Tiguan’s weaknesses can’t be overlooked either. After three months I can’t regret the purchase as it has largely met my expectations, but this crossover is far from perfect and for that reason I would rate my ownership experience at this point as a B, perhaps a B+ at best.
