Driven: VW’s Third-Gen Tiguan 2.0 TDI R-Line 4Motion Continues to Impress
South African motorists have a special love affair with VW. While VW may not be a South African brand, icons, like the VW Bus, Citi Golf, Polo, and are etched into the collective history of our country. So, it’s no surprise that VW’s current models continue to be a favourite choice in South Africa.
Take for example, Volkswagen’s Tiguan. The SUV has has been a mainstay in South Africa for a while now, with more than 41,000 Tiguans of having found homes in South Africa since 2009. Now, in it’s third generation, the Tiguan continues to impress motorists looking for that sweet spot between comfort, luxury, and practicality.
To sweeten the deal Volkswagen expanded the popular Tiguan model line-up in February 2025 with the addition of two new engines, 2.0 TDI with 110kW and 2.0 TSI with 140kW, both with a 7-speed DSG transmission. Because motorists love options, the two engines are available in the Life and R-Line derivatives. With more power than the standard Tiguan, the 2.0 TDI R-Line 4Motion was hard to ignore in this segment.
South African drivers also love a diesel engine, which is what makes VW’s Third-Gen Tiguan 2.0 TDI R-Line 4Motion an even more appealing option to get around.
But is the VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI R-Line 4Motion the right vehicle to park in your garage?
A straight up stunner
The new Tiguan R-Line is packed with premium touches. The new version features sports comfort seats in front, illuminated decorative inserts in front, leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel with shifting paddles, bumper in sports style, air intake with glossy black trim, Silver anodised roof rails, chrome trim strips on the side windows, Varenna leather ErgoActive massage seats and 19-inch Coventry alloy wheels.
Modern tech features round off the premium experience. A configurable digital instrument cluster is paired with a 12.9-inch touchscreen standard (or an optional 15-inches) infotainment system that is wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible. Electronic sliding climate control settings are slotted below the screen while the steering wheel houses shifting paddles, audio, cruise control, and Bluetooth controls. For those who love customisable features, the car also features 30-colour ambient lighting in the dashboard and doors.
You also get 652 litres of boot space (1,650 litres with the seats folded down), making it ideal as a family transporter for school runs and weekends away.
Behind the wheel
When it comes to the drive, this Volkswagen stays true to the legacy of the brand. Behind the wheel, the Tiguan feels refined, dependable, and stable. It handles beautifully with a smooth ride on almost every surface thanks to the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. It’s a great family car for parents carting kids around town and long distance driving for family holidays will feel like a pleasure. Despite its stable feel, it’s also surprisingly zippy and boasts a great turning circle.
On long roads, the Tiguan R-Line ensures you’ve got plenty of power underfoot for overtaking slow-moving trucks and accelerating up treacherous mountain passes. The driving experience is made even better thanks to the new ergoActive Plus leather seats with pneumatic four-way lumbar adjustment and a pneumatic 10-chamber pressure massage function. These leather seats come standard on the R-Line derivative.
Even better news for families is the fuel economy. Because kids are expensive, and driving them to and from school, extra-murals, play dates, and birthday parties shouldn’t have to blow your budget. VW says the Tiguan R-Line offers consumption figures of 6.6l/100km, and it definitely did not disappoint in that regard.
To keep you safe on the roads, the Tiguan R-Line features a comprehensive safety list that includes eight airbags, traction control, ABS, stability control, EBD and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
The Tiguan 2.0 TDI R-Line 4Motion is a pleasure to drive and is well worth putting on your list if you’re buying in this segment. The overall refinement, decent driving experience, and low running costs make this an SUV well worth the money.
At launch, the R-Line came in at the following price points:
Tiguan 1.4 TSI 110kW R-Line DSG R 781,600
Tiguan 2.0 TDI 110kW R-Line 4Motion DSG R 851,500
Tiguan 2.0 TSI 140kW R-Line 4Motion DSG R 852,600
The new Volkswagen Tiguan comes standard with a 3 year/120 000 km warranty, 5 year / 90 000 km EasyDrive Service Plan including a 12 year anti corrosion warranty. The service interval is 15 000 km.
