Skip advert
Advertisement

New Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line review – a rewarding SUV - Performance and 0-60 time

VW’s best-selling SUV is competent and refined, but it lacks its own clear personality

Evo rating
RRP
from £23,255
  • Sophisticated feel, base models look classy, satisfying to drive
  • Petrol engine feels more like a diesel, interior isn’t as premium as price tag might suggest

No one’s going to buy a Tiguan based on its 0-60mph dash, so an over seven second time is unlikely to put anyone off. Still, no one wants a car that’s too slow now, do they?

The Tiguan, in its fastest set-up – with four-wheel drive, a 237bhp diesel engine and a DSG transmission – is certainly not slow. It will get from 0 to 62mph in 6.5sec, the exact same time as a Peugeot 208 GTi by Peugeot Sport – our current supermini of the year.

However, such pace rapidly diminishes as you take away power, all-wheel-drive traction and swift automatic gear changes. A front-wheel-drive, manual Tiguan with a 113bhp diesel engine takes a lazy 10.9sec to get to 62mph.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It’s the same two set-ups that span the Tiguan’s top speed range, too. The least powerful diesel is able to reach 115mph, while the all-wheel-drive 237bhp car can reach 142mph – just 1mph shy of that champion Peugeot hot hatch. Eerie.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Best cars of the 1980s – performance icons from the decade of excess
Best '80s cars
Best cars

Best cars of the 1980s – performance icons from the decade of excess

The performance car as we’ve come to adore it has its origins in the 1980s. Family cars got fast, fast cars got faster, all of them were huge fun
19 Aug 2025
Mercedes-Benz EQS 2025 review – electric S-class takes aim at the BMW i7
Mercedes EQS – front
In-depth reviews

Mercedes-Benz EQS 2025 review – electric S-class takes aim at the BMW i7

Mercedes put all of its resources into creating a bespoke all-electric flagship, but it’s not quite worthy of replacing the S-class yet
18 Aug 2025
Gordon Murray has built two new supercars, and one of them looks just like a McLaren F1
GMSV S1 LM and Le Mans GTR
News

Gordon Murray has built two new supercars, and one of them looks just like a McLaren F1

Gordon Murray has announced the Le Mans GTR and S1 LM – a pair of track-oriented spin-off supercars from a new Special Vehicles division
15 Aug 2025