The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan Turbo Is More Fun to Drive but Doesn’t Move the Needle

Turbo gets more tech

VW’s 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster is standard. And while other Tiguans come with a 12.9-inch center infotainment display with embedded navigation, Turbo models get a 15-inch screen. “Speech with AI,” Volkswagen’s generative AI-enabled voice assistant, is available through a subscription, while wireless charging, wireless smartphone integration and four USB-C ports are standard.

VW’s infotainment system has now been refined into something very easy to use. Where the previous system felt slower than its competition, this one feels crisp and colorful and utilitarian with bright icons in different colors, making them easy to spot quickly while driving. The Tiguan unfortunately has volume and climate sliders on the lower portion of the screen, but the SUV at least has redundant controls on the perforated R-Line steering wheel.

There’s also a dial on the center console that controls audio volume, but when pressed, it switches between drive modes. On the Tiguan Turbo, it also changes the “atmosphere” when swiped, varying the ambient lighting and audio settings with five themes: Lounge, Joy, Nature, Energetic and Minimal.

Other standard features on the SEL R-Line Turbo are a power liftgate with a hands-free kick-to-open function, as well as power-folding mirrors with position memory.