Volkswagen Tiguan R 2022 Review

The fact that Volkswagen Australia chose a racetrack as the location to launch the inaugural 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan R is a testament to the dynamic prowess of this unassuming SUV.

But we’ve now had a chance to live with the first-ever R-rated Tiguan, plonking it into its more accustomed environment – the suburbs – to see whether it still stacks up.

Priced from $68,990 plus on-road costs, the Volkswagen Tiguan R takes top spot in the German brand’s five-seater mid-size SUV range and brings thrills and value for money currently unrivalled in this segment.

It’s powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that produces a spicy 235kW and 400Nm. Sending power to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, the Tiguan R will hit 100km/h from standstill in just 5.1sec. Enough.

Riding on 21-inch Estoril alloy wheels with 18-inch cross-drilled discs gripped by blue brake callipers blazoned with the R logo up front (17s on the rear), it’s easy to tell this performance-poised Tiguan from its tamer siblings.

Other standard R-specific features include R badges on the front, side and rear of the vehicle (there’s no Tiguan badge), quad tailpipes, matte silver mirror caps, illuminated R scuff plates and R logo-projected puddle lights.

Inside, the Tiguan R follows the sophisticated and restrained design we know and expect from Volkswagen. Keyless entry and push-button start set up the no-fuss vibe, while large digital screens and seamless integration are a sign of the quality craftsmanship.

It’s a tactile cabin with soft touch-points throughout. It feels premium, with a performance edge thanks in part to contrast blue stitching and carbon-look details.

Over and above what you get in the Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line, the Tiguan R features Nappa leather upholstery (with blue R logo), 12-way electric-adjust front seats with heating, memory and massage function, and blue contrast stitching on the floor mats, gear lever and arm rest.

A heated multifunction sports steering wheel also wears blue stitching and R logo.

Metallic or pearl-effect exterior paint is a no-cost option, with our test vehicle finished in striking Lapiz Blue.

A panoramic glass sunroof ($2000) and premium Harman Kardon sound system ($1000) are additional options.

The Tiguan R is backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and capped-price servicing sees you pay $1650 and $3100 over the first three and five years respectively.

Wondering whether the cheaper, twin-under-the-skin Golf R is a better option? Not if you’re after boot space.

With the family load in mind, the Volkswagen Tiguan R boasts a generous 615-1655 litres of cargo capacity, compared to just 374-1230 litres in the Golf R.

With performance comes great responsibility and the safety and driver assist technology standard on the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan R is a good fit.

Standard is Volkswagen’s IQ.Drive safety suite that features adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function, lane keep assist and lane departure warning, side assist and lane changing assist with rear cross traffic alert, emergency assist and proactive occupant protection.

There’s also driver fatigue detection, parallel and perpendicular park assist with sensors front and rear and a 360-degree camera, and autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection.

The Tiguan R’s 9.2-inch touch-screen is home to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, AM/FM and digital radio and satellite navigation.

Tri-zone climate control keeps all occupants happy, as does fast access to those controls via one-touch buttons below the central screen.

The customisable 10.25-inch digital instrumentation cluster is thoroughly modern and keeps all the important information front and centre, while a head-up display keeps your eyes on the road.

USB-C ports and 12V outlets are aplenty, along with 30 colours for the ambient interior lighting.

The 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that powers the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan R delivers true driving enjoyment and dynamism – two things that haven’t always been naturally associated with a mid-size SUV.

Well, not unless you’re paying considerably more. Think Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 (from $96,760 plus ORCs) or Audi SQ5 (from $115,591 plus ORCs). And yet here we are, in the Tiguan R.

The Volkswagen Tiguan R boasts performance credentials that will rarely be fully exploited – particularly when you think about the family-first duties that often define the mid-size SUV.

But the fact it can draw on such levels of mechanical prowess is comforting. Consider long road trips carrying five occupants and a capacity cargo load, negotiating the many hairpins of Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, for example… The Tiguan R (and driver) will be in its element.

Offered exclusively with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, the Tiguan R suffers momentary lag from standstill. But get the revs up and the response lifts and gear changes are immediate whether you’re leaving the car to shift itself or taking a DIY approach via the manual paddle shifts – it’s fun.

The ride is firm, as you may expect, and the cabin is a little noisy, which you might not expect. It’s not quite at the refined and closeted cabin refinement levels of the aforementioned prestige rivals.

Grip is supreme. The all-wheel drive Tiguan R features R Performance torque vectoring which not only allows torque distribution between front and rear axles, but also between the rear wheels, allowing up to 100 per cent of power to be sent to the pressured (outside) rear wheel for more accurate cornering under power.

Paving the way for better cornering is an R-spec vibe it seems, however this tester kept things calm on public roads, avoiding the kind of cornering my carsales colleague Ali Lawrence lives for.

The Tiguan R can tow too, with a braked towing capacity of 2200kg.

Drive modes of Comfort, Sport, Race and Individual deliver a marked change in feel at the wheel and engine response, becoming more engaging and involving as you climb the ranks.

Feedback through the wheel is noticeably different in Sport and Race mode, readying you for enthusiast-style driving… on everyday roads.

Equally, there’s no shame in taking this mid-size SUV to a track day. Left foot braking at 2pm, school pick-up at 3pm.

Indeed, the more time you spend behind the wheel of the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan R, the more sense it makes. Why not throw a performance badge and all that follows onto your popular mid-size SUV?

The only real potential detractor of the Tiguan R is the firm ride that comes with a sporty chassis set-up – even in Comfort mode – and 21-inch alloys with low-profile (255/35) run-flat tyres

That aside, the Tiguan R brings comfort and amenity in spades.

The front of cabin is thoroughly sophisticated and the layout is practical. There’s a spot for everything and ergonomics are good.

However, this driver never could get the perfect driving position; something about the steering wheel reach and overall seat adjustment left me wanting.

In terms of the rest of the family, those second-row occupants, the Tiguan R also offers good levels of comfort, space and amenity.

There’s plenty of room for three occupants and their gear, while standard features include seatback pockets just right for your phone, in-door storage, dedicated air vents and climate control, USB-C and 12V outlets and an arm rest with two cup holders.

There are ISOFIX positions on the outboard rear seats and three top tether child seat anchor points. The flexible 40/20/40-split folding rear seat adds extra versatility to the load space too.

It’s hard to imagine buyers not being attracted to the new 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan R.

Versatile, relatively affordable and with performance at its heart, the Tiguan R ticks most of the boxes we know Aussie buyers are chasing.

It definitely gains this writer’s stamp of approval.

How much does the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan R cost?
Price: $68,990 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 235kW/400Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 8.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 201g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2016)