The 2023 Tiguan R Grid Edition is Volkswagen Australia's latest addition to help beat the current shortage of vehicles, offering a budget-friendly, speed-focused Volkswagen SUV that is readily available.

There are two new R Grid Edition models introduced in 2023: this Tiguan and the smaller but well-balanced T-Roc R Grid Edition. Both models are full-fledged Volkswagen R products, meaning they deliver high performance, unlike the less powerful R-Line versions.

To avoid the delays associated with high-end technologies, both models feature simplified interiors and exteriors, devoid of luxurious conveniences such as matrix LED headlights, power tailgates, and electrically-adjustable seats.

Whether the absence of these features in a Volkswagen SUV is tolerable is subjective, but at least you get a considerable price cut for giving them up. The Tiguan R Grid Edition, priced at $63,990, is 10% cheaper than the fully-equipped standard Tiguan R ($70,490), prices are before on-road costs.

But with the on-road fee, the Tig-Grid still amounts to roughly $70,000, which may cause some dissatisfaction with its well-designed and comfortable, yet manually-adjustable seats, especially in households with multiple drivers. If this sounds like you, it might be worth waiting for the availability of the higher-spec Tiguan R model.

Ironically, the supply of the higher-end model looked grim until the launch of the Grid Edition, when the German factory announced it could now produce 100 fully-equipped Tiguan Rs for Australia every month.

While it may be a cruel twist of fate, Volkswagen's local division welcomed the news. There was also unexpected high demand for the 'base model' R Grid Edition, so the Grid will continue to be available along with its fully-loaded sibling.

So, considering these factors, should you save six grand and opt for the Grid?

What are the prices for the Volkswagen Tiguan R Grid？

The Tiguan R Grid Edition has a starting price of $63,990 before on-roads, undercutting the regular Tiguan R by $6500.

What’s under the bonnet? 

The Tiguan R is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that delivers 235kW of power and 400Nm of torque. In Europe, the vehicle has 420Nm of torque, but it also includes a petrol particulate filter (PPF).

It is expected that this version will also be available in Australia, though the timeline is still unclear.

This engine is coupled with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and according to Volkswagen, it can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds.

The fuel consumption is reported to be 8.8 litres per 100km, and the fuel tank has a capacity of 58 litres. The car requires 98 RON premium unleaded petrol.

How does the Volkswagen Tiguan R Grid drive? 

The Tiguan R Grid Edition is undoubtedly a fast and fun vehicle, offering enough power to cater to the needs of almost any family. In a sense, it's a vehicle with bragging rights, comparing favorably to the 162TSI R-Lines in any soccer club car park, thanks to its superior capabilities.

The 162TSI R-Line, the predecessor to this range-topping Tiguan, was launched back in 2018, while the full R model was introduced only in 2022. According to Volkswagen Australia, many of the Tiguan R buyers are upgrading from the 162TSI.

However, for those who are considering an upgrade from the 162TSI after owning it for three, four, or five years, caution is advised. The R model is a significantly different beast from the R-Line and might not necessarily be a better choice in every aspect.

For instance, the ride quality of the Tiguan R is nowhere near as balanced and forgiving as the 162TSI R-Line. The R-Line has a less aggressive suspension setup and 20-inch wheels with slightly higher-profile tyres, providing a smoother ride.

The R moniker stands for something: While the 162TSI R-Line is essentially a family vehicle pretending to be an R model, the Tiguan R boasts real track-worthy features. This includes a much firmer and controlled suspension, a reinforced chassis, and larger 21-inch wheels that grip better during turns.

While the lower-slung Golf R manages to maintain some suppleness, the Tiguan R, with its higher center of gravity, suffers a compromise that even Volkswagen can't circumvent: it's somewhat uncomfortable over bumps. So, if you're expecting the comfort of a 162TSI R-Line but with more power, you might be in for a disappointment.

That said, the Tiguan R isn't unbearably harsh. It's reasonably comfortable, but the frequent bumps experienced while driving over expansion joints and city potholes might be new to existing Tiguan owners. Hence, a test drive is recommended.

The firm ride quality does have a bright side—it makes the Tiguan R a disciplined SUV that's fun to drive hard. It delivers excellent feedback, allowing skilled drivers to extract more performance than they ever could from an R-Line.

The Tiguan R's turn-in is eager, thanks to the low-profile tyres, and the body is flexible enough to accommodate extra steering lock or throttle adjustment mid-corner. If you plan to take the Tiguan R on winding country roads more than once a year, you might be willing to accept the ride quality compromises in city driving. It's a fun vehicle to drive, and the Grid Edition makes this thrill 10 percent more affordable.

The engine is a latest-generation EA888 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder unit, which delivers substantially more power than the model beneath it in the range. With 235kW/400Nm, it's 45 percent more powerful and 14 percent torquier than the R-Line.

The difference in performance is noticeable in all driving situations, but especially when launching hard—the AWD-equipped Tiguan R just grips and goes.

Our independent performance testing showed that the Tiguan R's 0-100km/h sprint of 5.12 seconds beats the 162TSI R-Line's 6.38 seconds.

The brakes are also impressive. Despite the rear brakes looking unusually small beneath the thin-spoke 21-inch wheels, they are effective, as are the much larger front brakes. Brake pedal feel is good, resisting fade even during spirited drives.

Regarding sound, the pleasing engine note is largely masked by artificial noise in the cabin. However, you can turn this off by selecting the individual drive mode and switching the sound profile

What is the Volkswagen Tiguan R Grid like on the inside? 

The most notable difference is the front seats, which are sportier than the standard leather-trimmed seats. They come in a combination of blue and grey and exude a sporty look. What's even better is that they are incredibly comfortable and supportive, and retain the heating feature. Some might even consider them an upgrade from the standard leather seats in this sport-focused SUV.

The steering wheel remains the same as in the R model – a flat-bottom unit with touch buttons – and the digital dials are also the same, capable of displaying maps, trip computer data, or media controls.

Despite the sporty appearance of the seats, they are positioned high enough to provide a commanding view of the road ahead, as you would expect from an SUV. Large windows and a reasonably boxy profile ensure excellent visibility all around.

However, the absence of blind-spot assist might be a disadvantage for some, even though visibility is good.

The infotainment system by Volkswagen is straightforward and easy to navigate. The graphics are contemporary, though the system feels more utilitarian than flashy.

The availability of wireless Apple CarPlay provides an alternative to the factory software, and the two USB-C ports help keep your devices charged.

The car is also quite practical, offering numerous storage options like cup holders, a spacious central bin, a cutout beneath the dashboard, and large door bins.

In terms of rear seat space, the Tiguan R Grid Edition doesn't disappoint. There is ample room for average-height adults even when the front seats are occupied by people of the same height. Rear air vents, a fold-down central armrest, and USB-C ports enhance the comfort for rear passengers during long trips.

There are three top-tether points and ISOFIX anchors on the outer rear seats for child seats.

Interestingly, the sunroof in our test vehicle did not compromise headroom in the rear. Whether to include this option in the more budget-friendly Grid model is a subjective decision; however, it does add a more premium feel to the SUV.

The boot space is claimed to be 615 litres, which can be extended to 1655 litres by folding the rear seats. The boot is flat and wide with no loading lip, making it easy to load heavy items.

Is the Volkswagen Tiguan R Grid safe? 

The Volkswagen Tiguan received a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on tests conducted in 2016.

The vehicle got high scores in various safety categories: 96 percent for adult occupant protection, 80 percent for child occupant protection, 68 percent for pedestrian protection (before updates), and 68 percent for safety assistance features.

However, compared to the regular model, the Tiguan R Grid Edition does not include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and proactive occupant assistance.

Standard safety features in this car include:

Seven airbags

Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with detection for pedestrians and cyclists

Adaptive cruise control with stop/go feature

Travel Assist (adaptive cruise control combined with adaptive lane guidance)

Lane-keep assist

Parking sensors in the front and rear

Driver fatigue monitoring

Emergency Assist (this feature pulls the vehicle over if the driver becomes unresponsive)

How much does the Volkswagen Tiguan R Grid cost to run? 

The Tiguan R and R Grid Edition are part of Volkswagen's recent performance cars lineup that specifically need 98 octane premium petrol in Australia. This is due to the fact that these cars' engines come with particulate filters, which are sensitive to the sulphur content in fuel. Unfortunately, most of the fuel available in Australia still contains relatively high amounts of sulphur. Therefore, using 98 octane petrol, which has a guaranteed low sulphur content, is necessary to prevent the filter from getting blocked.

This, of course, could increase your fuel expenses. However, the situation might change in the future as the Australian federal government has announced plans to introduce a new national fuel standard policy. This policy might make premium fuels the new minimum requirement.

In terms of fuel consumption, our testing found the Tiguan R Grid Edition to be a bit of a mixed bag. It can be a bit thirsty in city driving, consuming about 12 litres per 100km. On the highway, however, it is quite economical, achieving a fuel efficiency of about 7 litres per 100km.

If you are concerned about maintenance costs, you can buy a service 'care plan' when you get your Tiguan R or R Grid Edition. A five-year, 75,000-kilometre care plan costs $3200, which works out to a fairly reasonable average of $640 per year.

Finally, the Tiguan R Grid Edition comes with a new car warranty that lasts for five years, with unlimited kilometres covered during this period.

Yeecar’s Take on the Volkswagen Tiguan R Grid

Volkswagen continues to excel in the mid-size SUV performance market – it's tough to find any other brand that offers similar performance for the price.

This new, less expensive variant offers significant savings compared to a regular Tiguan R, and it doesn't lose much in terms of features. The absence of Nappa leather, a power-operated tailgate, and advanced lighting isn't really a big deal.

That said, it is a bit disappointing that it lacks rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring, features that are important in a family-sized SUV.

Still, if you can overlook these shortcomings, then the Tiguan R Grid is worth considering. It offers good value for the price, especially if it means getting your hands on the vehicle sooner and at a lower cost.