This most potent powertrain is available in either R-Line or Black Edition trim, and either way the Tiguan gains a more menacing exterior design to match that more potent engine. There’s a new front bumper with a gaping air dam, 20-inch alloy wheels and LED tail-lights with a three-dimensional effect in a design unique to the R-Line. Of course, all of these features are available on R-Line models with more modest engine options, so not every sporty-looking Tiguan on the road will have the muscle to match the looks.
The Black Edition gets the same wheel design as the R-Line but finished in black. It also has standard Matrix LED headlights, a semi-automated adaptive cruise control that can steer the car within its lane, an area view parking camera and adaptive dampers, among other features. Given the Black Edition costs only £1,000 more, it makes it the better value option.
Inside, the R-Line’s standard kit includes sports front seats which feature integrated headrests plus heating and massaging functions, 30-colour ambient lighting and a range of sporty touches such as black headlining, brushed stainless steel pedals, leather-effect trim inserts on the door panels and aluminum scuff plates. It’s a cabin that remains dominated by the vast touchscreen which, while we’d still prefer to see physical climate controls, is reasonably intuitive to use. There’s loads of space inside, plus a vast 652-litre boot.
You’d need to be a committed Tiguan fan to make the plunge for these top-level models, though, because prices for the R-Line 2.0-litre TSI kick off from £50,340. If you don’t need the extra room of the Tiguan, then the Golf GTI costs almost £10,000 less – and is much more fun to drive.
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