Volkswagen’s Tiguan R Targets Toyota’s RAV4 GR Sport With 300+ HP

The Volkswagen Tiguan is currently available in SEL R-Line Turbo form, but as sporty as that name is meant to seem, the crossover is not quick enough to beat a Toyota RAV4 GR Sport in a straight line. Wolfsburg has a retort in development, however, and it's simply called the Tiguan R. Spied in Sweden during cold-weather testing, this pre-production vehicle looks very similar to the R-Line Turbo, but a set of four exhaust tips and some beefy brakes give it away as the hottest Tiguan yet. While the R-Line Turbo makes 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, this is expected to exceed 300 hp. Whether it will match or even beat the 320-hp RAV4 GR Sport remains to be seen, but we shouldn't have to wait too long to know the full story.

2027 Volkswagen Tiguan R Will Become More Aggressive

Drilled brake discs hide behind unassuming wheels on this Tiguan R development vehicle, and at the rear, a quad-exit exhaust system peeks out from beneath the faux diffuser, but if these cues seem a little subtle for the range-topping Tiguan, don't worry, they are. More aggressive bumpers will be fitted to the final production vehicle, as will sportier wheels. We also expect silver wing mirrors, a slightly more aggressive roof spoiler, and an R badge somewhere on the tailgate. After all, there's little point in overtaking that RAV4 if the driver doesn't know what just beat them at the lights.

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As for total output, the previous-generation Tiguan R delivered 315 hp from its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, an engine it shared with the Golf R. The current Golf R, however, makes 328 hp, so it stands to reason that the next Tiguan R will make as much, giving VW drivers bragging rights over those with a Toyota badge on their key fobs.

U.S. Sales of 2027 VW Tiguan R in Doubt

The previous Tiguan R wasn't sold in the U.S., and it's unclear if this one will be. Although the regular Tiguan is the best-selling VW nameplate in the United States, the Tiguan R may be too pricey for our palates. And with the SUV being produced in countries currently subject to tariffs, the revival of the Tiguan R may not be worth celebrating here. For the record, the 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo carries a base MSRP of $44,560, and a full-fat R model would surely exceed 50 grand. The Toyota RAV4 GR Sport hasn't yet been priced, although other trims have been, but it, too, is expected to cost in the region of $52,000. Perhaps VW will wait to see how well its rival sells before making a call on offering the Tiguan R here, but regardless, a reveal is only expected to take place in the second half of this year.

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