There are many households in a rush in Australia.
Orders for the quick Volkswagen Tiguan R household hauler are had been not too long ago closed, as VW Australia labored to clear a major backlog. They’re open once more, however solely on the again of a wholesome further dose of inventory from Germany.
A number of individuals clearly need to get their fingers on this sizzling SUV, and there aren’t fairly sufficient to go round.
Together with “improved manufacturing” of the common Tiguan R for Australia, Volkswagen has give you the Grid Version as an answer.
With no electrical, heated entrance seats, no IQ.Gentle Matrix LED headlights, and no blind-spot or rear cross-traffic help (amongst different omissions), the 2023 Tiguan R Grid Version isn’t as properly geared up because the common mannequin.
Nevertheless it makes up for that truth by providing the identical efficiency, packing a racy set of entrance seats, and shaving $6500 from the sticker worth. You even get distinctive badging, which within the case of a few of our testers was a bit crooked.
It’s an attractive proposition on paper. Does it stack up in the actual world?
How a lot does the Volkswagen Tiguan R Grid Version price?
The Tiguan R Grid Version has a beginning worth of $63,990 earlier than on-roads, undercutting the common Tiguan R by $6500.
There aren’t many direct rivals for the Tiguan R at its common worth, not to mention its Grid Version worth.
The Mercedes-AMG GLB35 is analogous in idea however has a worth nudging six figures, and the Audi SQ5 TDI begins above $100,000.
For those who don’t want all that house, the Tiguan R has a bit brother within the type of the T-Roc R. It begins at $54,300 earlier than on-roads in equally geared up Grid Version kind.
What’s the Volkswagen Tiguan R Grid Version like on the within?
Not a lot has modified from the common Tiguan R behind the wheel, which isn’t any unhealthy factor.
The one actual distinction are the entrance seats, that are racier items than the usual leather-trimmed seats. They’re completed in blue and gray, and look purposeful.
Given they’re extremely supportive and comfy, and retain heating, you might argue they’re even an enchancment over the usual leather-based seats on what’s meant to be a sporty SUV.
The steering wheel is similar flat-bottom unit featured on the R – full with the identical foolish contact buttons, sadly – and also you get the identical glorious set of digital dials able to displaying maps, your journey laptop, or media controls.
Though the sports activities seats look fairly racy, they’re set excessive sufficient to supply a commanding view of the street forward as you’d hope of an SUV. With huge home windows and a fairly boxy profile, all-round visibility is superb.
That makes the lack of blind-spot help simpler to swallow, though we’re additionally eager on extra security gear being commonplace than much less.
Volkswagen’s infotainment software program is clear and easy to navigate, and the graphics are trendy, however it feels serviceable reasonably than flashy or standout.
With wi-fi Apple CarPlay, it’s straightforward to bypass the manufacturing unit software program anyway, and the pair of USB-C ports work to verify any units are totally juiced.
The cupholders, spacious central bin, cutout under the dashboard, and the large door bins, you’re not in need of locations to retailer stuff. It’s eminently sensible, and feels meaningfully bigger than the T-Roc R we drove on the identical time.
Rear seat house is nice, regardless of the Tiguan’s compact-ish appears to be like.
There’s room for average-height adults behind average-height adults, with loads of legroom, and the air vents, fold-down central armrest, and USB-C ports will all make youngsters comfy on lengthy journeys.
Together with a trio of top-tether factors, there are ISOFIX anchors on the outboard rear seats.
It’s uncommon, however the sunroof in our tester didn’t smash headroom again there both.
Whether or not or not it’s an choice price ticking on the extra budget-oriented Grid is up for debate; we’d argue it makes a fairly premium SUV really feel much more upmarket.
Claimed boot house is 615 litres, increasing to 1655L with the rear seats folded. The boot is a flat, broad house with no loading lip, making it straightforward to get heavy objects in there.
What’s below the bonnet?
Energy within the Tiguan R comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine making 235kW of energy and 400Nm of torque. Automobiles in Europe have 420Nm of torque, but in addition function a petroleum particulate filter (PPF).
That tune is predicted to return Down Below finally, however it’s not clear when.
The engine is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and has a 100km/h dash time of 5.1 seconds in keeping with Volkswagen.
Claimed gas economic system is 8.8 litres per 100km, and the gas tank holds 58 litres. The automotive drinks 98 RON premium unleaded.
How does the Volkswagen Tiguan R Grid Version drive?
The common Tiguan R and the R Grid really feel equivalent to drive. That’s factor.
The two.0-litre turbo is clean and quiet at low speeds, with loads of torque for easy punch low within the rev vary. Within the default Sport mode it surfs round city with out kicking up a fuss, ably aided by the seven-speed transmission.
There’s no actual hesitation or awkwardness at low speeds, the powertrain simply does what it must do.
Put your foot down although and it actually will get a transfer on. The DSG will kick down one, two, even three gears if you flatten the throttle, dropping you proper into the meat of the engine’s torque – at which level the Tiguan picks up and begins reeling within the horizon at a fee of knots.
It’s not only a rocket strapped to a curler skate, both. On tight, twisting nation backroads the Tiguan R is extra agile than you’d count on, with strong physique management with the adaptive dampers set to Race and baggage of traction from the all-wheel drive system.
You don’t get fairly the identical ranges of agility on provide within the smaller T-Roc R on the entrance finish, however there’s solely a touch of understeer on the best way into corners and, as soon as the Grid is turned, you’ll be able to lean on the 4Motion system to pull you out in a rush.
On bumpy roads lined with leaf litter the R doesn’t get deflected by mid-corner bumps, and isn’t wrong-footed by particles or variable street surfaces. Volkswagen R fashions are likely to main on all-weather efficiency, and the Tiguan isn’t any exception.
You aren’t pressured to make many compromises for the Tiguan R’s dealing with, both.
With the adaptive dampers set to Consolation, the experience high quality is surprisingly good for a small-ish SUV on 21-inch alloy wheels.
It doesn’t crash and bash over potholes and velocity humps, and even at velocity it does job isolating occupants from poor street surfaces.
Though entry-level fashions with smaller wheels and greater sidewalls are extra comfy once more, they don’t deal with just like the R.
The primary trade-off is street noise, which is a standard criticism with European efficiency automobiles.
It’s not deafening, however you’ll want to show up the stereo a number of clicks to drown out the roar at 100km/h on coarse-chip surfaces.
Volkswagen’s suite of driver assists are additionally very good. The adaptive cruise management well maintains a spot to the automotive in entrance, and the lane-keep help isn’t too fingers on.
What do you get?
Tiguan R Grid Version highlights:
- Premium LED tail lights incl. dynamic indicators
- Tri-zone local weather management
- Microfleece/fabric seat trim
- 21-inch Estoril alloy wheels
- Energy-folding facet mirrors with reminiscence, kerb capabilities
- Heated, three-spoke R leather-based steering wheel with R button, haptic pads
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- 360-degree digital camera system
- Auto lights and wipers
- Keyless entry and begin
- Welcome gentle with R projection in entrance doorways
- Illuminated R scuff plates for entrance doorways
- 10.25-inch configurable digital instrument cluster
- 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment show
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Digital Radio DAB+
- Head-up show
- Ambient lighting with 30 colors
- Adaptive suspension with three settings (Consolation, Sport, Race)
- Premium Metallic/Pearl Impact paint
- Carpet flooring mats with blue stitching
- Rear privateness glass
- Tyre strain monitoring system
- Trailer hitch preparation
Is the Volkswagen Tiguan R Grid Version protected?
The Volkswagen Tiguan wears a five-star ANCAP security ranking primarily based on exams carried out in 2016.
It achieved scores of 96 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 80 per cent for baby occupant safety, 68 per cent for pedestrian safety (pre-update), and 68 per cent for security help.
The Tiguan R Grid Version misses out on blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and proactive occupant help relative to the common mannequin.
Normal security options embody:
- 7 airbags
- AEB with Pedestrian, Bicycle owner detection
- Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
- Journey Help (adaptive cruise + adaptive lane steering)
- Lane-keep help
- Parking sensors (entrance + rear)
- Driver fatigue monitoring
- Emergency Help (pulls car over if driver is unresponsive)
How a lot does the Volkswagen Tiguan R Grid Version price to run?
Volkswagen provides a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee throughout its whole passenger car vary, together with the Tiguan R.
Additionally included is one 12 months of roadside help, which will get prolonged by a 12 months every time you service your automotive with a taking part Volkswagen vendor for as much as 10 years from the unique new automotive guarantee begin date.
Service intervals are 12 months or 15,000 kilometres – whichever comes first.
Volkswagen provides a three-year service plan for the Tiguan R priced at $1700, whereas the five-year plan is $3200.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Volkswagen Tiguan R Grid Version
Choosing the Grid Version doesn’t take a lot away from what was already a convincing tackle the quick household SUV method.
The boy racer in me prefers the fastened headrest seats within the Grid to the extra luxurious pews in the usual Tiguan, and the very fact they’re manually adjusted isn’t precisely an enormous sacrifice to make given the $6500 financial savings.
The lack of energetic security package is arguably tougher to swallow, though it’s not as if anybody shopping for the Grid will probably be stunned to listen to it’s lacking. We’d even be taking the Grid Version badges off the boot…
Past the spec modifications, the Tiguan R stays a enjoyable, quick, and sensible SUV for fogeys in a rush. It’s not fairly as full of life as its T-Roc R little brother, however it nonetheless punches properly above its weight when the street will get attention-grabbing.
And, the entire household can benefit from the enjoyable.
Click on the photographs for the total gallery