The new-for-2025 Volkswagen Tiguan compact SUV was already lighter and more powerful than its predecessor, but what if that wasn’t enough? Good news: The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo, on the floor at the 2025 New York International Auto Show, is the new top trim level for the line and features 67 more horsepower, luxurious interior appointments, and more comfort and safety features.
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Get Me Power!
The Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo features the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine as the rest of the Tiguan lineup, only it features a larger turbo, stronger internal components, oil cooling for the pistons, variable valve lift on both the intake and exhaust side, and a host of other tuning tweaks. You don’t need to understand all of that technical talk to enjoy the end result of an extra 67 hp and 51 pounds-feet of torque over the rest of the range.
All in all, that brings it up to 268 hp and 258 pounds-feet of torque, which sounds pretty peppy for a small SUV, especially with this third-generation Tiguan weighing 170 pounds less than its predecessor. Fuel-economy data is yet to be announced, but VW says it didn’t ditch the fuel-sipping Miller-cycle technology in retuning the Tiguan’s engine for more power. Better yet, the SEL R-Line Turbo makes this extra power on regular gasoline, so there’s no need to shell out extra for the premium stuff. The engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission; all-wheel drive is standard.
What Extra Features Come on the Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo?
The SEL R-Line Turbo’s standard extras aren’t limited to under the hood. It rides on 20-inch alloy wheels and includes a black roof plus front and rear light bars with illuminated badges as standard, but the biggest upgrades are inside the cabin. Varenna leather seats, American walnut wood trim and a double-stitched, wrapped center console should help make the cabin more comfortable.
The SEL R-Line Turbo also comes with the upgraded 15-inch infotainment touchscreen as well as the 10.25-inch digital instrument panel that is standard across the lineup. Along with the Tiguan’s standard wireless charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the SEL R-Line Turbo comes with most of the SUV’s upgraded features, including three-zone climate control, 30-color ambient lighting, a head-up display and 12-speaker Harmon Kardon audio. Extra standard comfort features make it ready for all seasons, such as 12-way power front seats with 10-way back massage, ventilation and heating, a heated steering wheel and heated rear outboard seats.
The entire Tiguan range features an impressive list of standard safety and driver-assistance features, including forward collision warning with pedestrian monitoring and automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot warnings, lane departure steering assist, adaptive cruise control and a semi-autonomous driving system. The SEL R-Line Turbo takes it even further, adding park distance control, automatic high beams, the Park Assist Plus automated parallel-parking system and an exit warning that tips you off when there is oncoming traffic when you go to open the car’s doors.
How Much Will the 2026 VW Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo Cost?
The Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo goes on sale in the fall, with pricing details to be announced closer to the model’s launch.
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