Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI R-Line 2021 Review

The updated 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan range is now available in three trim levels – Life, Elegance and R-Line – and will carry four powertrain options once all variants make their way Down Under.

Following the launch of the 110TSI 1.4-litre turbo-petrol in April, the 162TSI 2.0-litre turbo has now arrived and will be followed in June by the lower-output 132TSI 2.0-litre and 147TDI 2.0-litre turbo-diesel.

Gone are the Comfortline and Highline variant names of old, as well as previously optional R-Line packs. Now, a full-time R-Line grade replaces the Highline, while the Elegance takes over the Comfortline’s position.

Here, we’re testing the most popular – and most powerful – 162TSI powertrain in R-Line specification, which Volkswagen Group Australia reckons will be the best-selling combination in the new Tiguan range.

As its name suggests, the R-Line is naturally sportier, fitted with exclusive front and rear bumpers, side skirts, a rear spoiler, larger 20-inch alloy wheels (with space-saver spare) and R-Line decals.

It also has ‘progressive steering’ rather than a typical constant steering ratio, featuring variable tooth spacing on the rack and pinion and a more powerful electric motor than the standard electromechanical steering system. This aims to provide more direct steering in dynamic driving, as well as reducing the effort required in low-speed manoeuvring and parking.

Inside, specific R-Line touches include a Vienna faux-leather steering wheel with haptic touch buttons, leather-appointed seats, a black headliner and stainless-steel pedals.

The cabin, while conservative, feels every bit as high-class as pricier German rivals. Handy features such as powered and heated front seats, auto-hold park brake, one-touch windows for every door and rain-sensing wipers all add to its appeal.

The R-Line (and Elegance) also features LED ambient interior lighting with 30 colour options, bringing a beautiful display at night, while an electric tailgate is a welcome inclusion, providing access to the 615-litre cargo area.

Each Tiggy is also covered by Volkswagen’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and is available with three-year ($1200) or five-year ($2400) service plans.

Safety and technology features line up as obvious strong-points of the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

On board, VW’s IQ.Drive safety suite brings Travel Assist, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, park assist, lane assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, blind spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors and more.

Proactive Occupant Protection is also fitted across the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan range, and uses the vehicle’s on-board safety systems to detect a potential accident. It will then automatically close the windows and sunroof (if fitted), as well as tighten the front seat belts as a precautionary measure.

Elsewhere, a huge 10.25-inch customisable digital cockpit sits behind the steering wheel.

Mid-range Elegance and top-spec R-Line grades come equipped with a larger Discover Pro 9.2-inch central touch-screen (instead of 8.0-inch) that brings gesture control, satellite navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There’s no volume knob on the larger screen; instead, the interior is adorned with touch-sensitive buttons and slider controls. They seem a bit ultra-high-tech and fiddly at first, but, once familiar, most owners will find them responsive and simple to use.

Another cool bit of kit found within the infotainment unit (via a sub-menu) is a visual display of the IQ.Drive safety and assistance features, which provides an explanation for each system and allows for adjustment of the sensitivity – or to turn them off, if need be.

Front row occupants get a pair of USB-C ports and one 12-volt outlet, but there’s no wireless phone charging or digital radio.

Meanwhile, the standard eight-speaker sound system is okay, but music-lovers will probably find the $2500 Sound & Vision package a worthy investment, adding a crisper Harman Kardon audio system, along with a head-up display and 360-degree camera.

Up front, the same super-bright headlight system (Matrix LEDs) that wowed us in the recently updated Volkswagen Passat are also on board this range-topping Tiguan, as are LED daytime running lights (DRLs), cornering lights and dynamic indicators.

For this mid-life update, there are few changes to the way in which the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan performs, which is no bad thing.

The German car-maker says the 162TSI powertrain we’re testing here is the most popular engine choice for Tiguan buyers – and it’s easy to see why.

Borrowing the Golf GTI’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and matching it to the German brand’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive system brings a cracking duo.

Serving up 162kW of power and 350Nm of torque, power is sent through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that’s found in almost all Tiguan models, save for the base 110TSI which has a six-speed unit.

For the most part, the 162TSI is a punchy powertrain that really gets the SUV moving. That said, there’s some hesitation from the DSG at take-off and low speeds – as we’ve found in previous tests – but still plenty of get-up-and-go when you put your foot down.

The R-Line is not a bona fide performance SUV though, and there’s no growling soundtrack to match its aggressive exterior.

Like other Tiguan models we’ve tested, steering response is vague, but it can be stiffened up in the R-Line with the progressive steering feature via Sport mode.

On the topic of drive modes, the R-Line also has Eco, Comfort, Normal and Individual options, as well as Snow, Offroad and Offroad Expert settings.

Volkswagen says the 162TSI will consume 8.5L/100km on the combined cycle, and our tester just about lived up to that claim. After a stint of highway driving, urban and country road driving, we saw averages between 7.6 and 9.6 litres.

Overall, it’s easy and enjoyable to drive, with little interference from the on-board driver assistance features. The 2500kg braked towing capacity is also worth noting.

On road, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI R-Line feels noticeably firmer than the base-spec 110TSI Life we tested in April.

That’s because it sits on sports suspension and rides on those huge 20-inch Misano alloys wrapped in low-profile rubber.

It’s not too harsh or rigid to cancel it out as a daily driver, and for those partial to a bit of apex-hunting and enthusiastic cornering, the R-Line’s athletic nature is welcome.

Indeed, the sportiest Tiguan stays planted on the road, remaining well settled even over potholes, lumps and bumps.

But you do get some negative feedback through the steering wheel, and it’s worth noting that road noise is substantially higher in this flagship variant. Tyre noise is prominent on coarse-chip surfaces, but again, it’s not a deal-breaker.

Like every other Volkswagen Tiguan we’ve tested, the cabin is spacious enough, but ultimately suited to four adults. Up front, it’s easy to get comfortable and all-round vision is good.

Rear seat amenities include a centre arm rest, outboard ISOFIX points, one USB-C port, one 12-volt power outlet, air vents with a separate temperature control function and multiple map pockets.

In overall terms, the storage facilities are great. You can fit a drink bottle in every door pocket, while buyers who don’t option the $2000 panoramic sunroof get a pair of overhead storage bins instead.

The centre console is small, but the glove box is cooled and there’s another sunglasses storage pocket atop the dash.

For many mid-size SUV buyers, the circa-$55K 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI R-Line may prove too expensive.

But when you weigh up what you get for your money – a generous cabin and a big boot, some of the best safety and tech features at this price point, and plenty of performance – its appeal is obvious.

Those willing and able to pay the price won’t be disappointed.

How much does the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI cost?
Price: $53,790 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 162kW/350Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 8.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 195g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2016)

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