The Return of Fahrvergnugen? The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo

Oh, yeah...it's been 36 years. Another fresh culture reference from yours truly. Here's an explainer:

I had forgotten that last line. Subaru marketing folks...we're looking at you.

Statute of limitations is probably long expired.

Anyway, "Fahrvergnugen" is German for "driving pleasure". Volkswagen wanted to suggest that there was some GTI DNA in all of its products, which in 1990 included exactly zero SUVs. Today, 5/8ths of the lineup is SUVs (the only exceptions are the GTI, the Golf R and the Jetta.

The midsize Tiguan was all-new for 2025, with handsome looks, great handling, less weight and more power.

But "more power" last year meant a bump from 184 horsepower to 201. And that was only good for an 8.5 second 0-60 time. What the Tiguan gets this year is more more power---if you get the Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo.

The R-Line gets a 2.0-liter 16-valve dual overhead cam turbocharged engine with 268 horsepower---a healthy bump over the 241 the same engine makes in the GTI. That will help offset the Tiguan's greater weight. All-wheel drive is standard, there's an eight-speed automatic transmission. Zero to 60 times fall to 6.7 seconds and fuel economy, remarkably, is the same as the less-powerful Tiguan---25 mpg combined city/highway, though that combined number varies slightly--22 city/29 highway with the Turbo, 22/30 without.

There's a good amount of cargo space---33.8 cubic feet behind the second-row seats, 69.8 cubic feet with that row folded flat.

Rear seat passengers are treated very well in the Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo. That's a generous 40.2 inches of rear seat legroom and passengers there get not only climate control vents but actual climate controls.

The base price of the 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo is $43,085---$44,560 with destination. That money buys a lengthy list of standard equipment (see the window sticker at the end of the review).

The only extra-cost option on our tester was the Avacado Green and Deep Black paint ($850), so the bottom line on the window sticker reads $45,410.

The new Tiguan was a great driver before. The extra power in the Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo makes it a great, fun driver. And the level of standard equipment, the details, both inside and out, make it a bargain for the price.

2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo at a glance:

Price: $43,085 base/$45,410 as tested

Engine: 2.0-liter 16-valve DOHC four-cylinder turbo

Horsepower: 268 hp

Torque: 258 lb-ft

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Curb Weight: 4,010 lbs

0-60 Acceleration (manufacturer data): 6.7 seconds

EPA Fuel Economy Estimate: 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway

Fuel tank capacity: 15.6 gallons

EPA Range Estimate: 390 miles

Click in the upper right corner of window sticker to expand to fullscreen.