Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.To get right to it, the reason you'll want to buy a Volkswagen Tiguan over rivals in 2026 is more power and its excellent Harmon Kardon sound system. The two turn the SUV into something actually fun to drive, not just another soulless box that'll cost you $55,000.2025 brought an update that already made the Volkswagen more attractive, thanks mostly to big changes like new looks and an updated interior. Power rose from 184 to 201 horsepower, and weight fell thanks to new aluminum suspension components. Inside, new screens help the Tiguan feel current, and a massive central screen dominates your line of sight.2026 Brings More Power To The TiguanChase BierenkovenView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisement2026 sees more of the good stuff. Volkswagen perhaps realized the Tiguan was down on power over rivals. Now, the new Tiguan feels more GTI than SUV, at least when you hit the gas. A new SEL R-Line Turbo trim is responsible for the added power, pushing a hearty 67 more horsepower to the SUV's all-wheel drive system. That latter point is also standard on the R-Line and R-Line Turbo models. Note the Turbo bit is necessary to getting that added power.The R-Line Turbo also serves as the capstone for the lineup, adding a ton of luxury features. This includes items like leather ventilated seats, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, automated parking, more interior lighting, and tons of other odds and ends that serve to make the Tiguan feel closer to its Audi relatives than you'd think, given the lower $32,000 starting price for the lineup. Of course, that's not what the top-tier model runs. Ours topped out at $44,560 MSRP.Under The Hood (Continued)Chase BierenkovenThe Tiguan's front-drive 200-odd-horsepower option will surely feel less spritely than the downright quick R-Line Turbo. The bones, though, are solid. The Tiguan's suspension handles bumps and pavement cracks well, and the interior feels quiet at pretty much any sane speed. That German-ness is very much present here.Put your foot down in R-Line Turbo models, and the SUV rockets off the line, helped by its 4-Motion all-wheel drive system. However, you've got to wait a beat before it does. Mat it, and there's a good two-second lag between your foot hitting the mat and the SUV responding. This is annoying when merging, even when you aren't driving like a hooligan. Additionally, don't ask it to hold a gear; VW doesn't like it when you use the steering wheel paddles. They're just for pretend, really, and the car will kick you out of Manual mode and into Drive in a few seconds.Chase BierenkovenThe rest of the time, the engine is a lovely experience. It feels zippy in the way a GTI does, not designed to overwhelm you with speed but to push you back in your seat and remind you you're going plenty quick. The 8-speed automatic responds nicely when you ask it to gear down and is smooth in its shifts. You'll be more than comfortable on long trips, too, thanks to the Tiguan's driver aids that'll help pilot the car through thick city traffic and open highways alike.The Tiguan R-Line Turbo Has One More Argument To PresentChase BierenkovenView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementWe'll discuss the interior in a moment. First, the big surprise: the Harmon Kardon sound system. This sound system actually gives you an equalizer, and once you load up even a basic EQ, it comes alive. Sounding flat from its factory settings, a little fiddling transforms it. Highs, lows, and mids all come through with stunning clarity given the price point. This sound system is nicer than many a system at much higher price points. If you're a bit of an audiophile, forget the added power; this sound system is enough of an argument for maxing out a Tiguan.Chase BierenkovenView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleThe rest of this interior is nice, but largely because of the trim level. There are cheap black plastics all over, and VW will stick with this haptic screen/temperature interface until the next update cycle rolls around. It works fine, and physical controls now dominate most of the interior. The addition of a volume control in the car's central drive mode dial is a lovely touch.Displays are also wonderful. They're vivid, crisp, and respond beautifully to your touch. I also enjoyed the Tiguan's wireless charger, which sits in a well-ventilated center console, holding your phone upright against the side of the bin. This leaves room for small items without leaving your phone vulnerable to scratches and dings from them.Chase BierenkovenView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Tiguan will haul some 34 cubic feet of cargo behind its rear seats, which is enough for multiple large carry-on suitcases, though the sloped back cuts somewhat into large-item use cases. Thankfully, the seats fold down for a total of 70 cubes behind the front seats. It's plenty.In A Tight Segment, The Tiguan Carves Out A Very German NicheChase BierenkovenView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleThe Tiguan fights a hard battle in a segment overrun by affordable Japanese alternatives like the RAV4 and CR-V. Luxurious alternatives abound thanks to Mazda too. So what's that leave the Tiguan with? For one, a kickass sound system. It's not something OEMs typically care about at this price point, but it is something that matters. For another, the power deliver is excellent.But the Tiguan gets by on its Germanic way of doing things. It's silly quiet at high speeds. It's still fun to drive, and the transmission responds better than any of its rivals (off-the-line notwithstanding). Is it the cream of the crop for families looking to stretch their dollar? No. But the Tiguan is a fun SUV for less than you'd spend on a comparable Audi or BMW.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Jun 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the Reviews section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.