VW Describes Its Second Tiguan Price Increase in Months as 'Reasonable' | Carscoops

      The company states it assessed competitor actions and market trends prior to increasing the SUV's price for the second time since July.

      7 hours ago

      by Brad Anderson

      Prices have increased across all trims of the Tiguan for the 2026 model year.

      The new top-of-the-line SEL R-Line Turbo starts at $44,560.

      The Tiguan is manufactured in Mexico and is subject to 25% tariffs.

      Volkswagen's popular Tiguan is becoming significantly more expensive for the 2026 model year, in part due to tariffs. Depending on the variant of the Tiguan you are considering, you may have to pay an additional $2,630—an increase that is significant given that the 2026 model is largely similar to the 2025 version, except for the introduction of the new Turbo trim.

      Prices Continue to Rise

      Before looking into the details, it's important to highlight how prices have gone up. Compared to the initial 2025 model-year prices revealed in March, the base price for the 2026 Tiguan has increased by a substantial 4.4 percent, as noted by Auto News.

      Even prior to this latest round of adjustments, the compact SUV had already experienced its first mid-year price hike in July, shortly after sales commenced in May. The 2025 Tiguan was launched following a major redesign, with an initial price of $30,920.

      Now, we have the third price adjustment since that launch, this time for the 2026 model year. The entry-level Tiguan S FWD is now priced at $32,280, reflecting a $610 increase, or about 1.9 percent, compared to the 2025 model introduced earlier this year. Volkswagen has applied the same $610 increase to the Tiguan S AWD, Tiguan SE FWD, and Tiguan SE AWD.

      As you move up the lineup, the price increases become more pronounced. The Tiguan SE R-Line AWD rises by 2.8 percent, with an increase of $1,090 to $40,220, while the SE R-Line FWD now has a price of $38,720, also reflecting the same rise.

      The New SEL R-Line Turbo

      At the peak of the Tiguan lineup is the new SEL R-Line Turbo. This model replaces the previously offered SEL R-Line that was priced from $41,930, with the 2026 model now starting at $44,560—an increase of $2,630.

      Nevertheless, despite the potentially misleading name, this is not merely a rebranding. The SEL R-Line Turbo is significantly different, offering an additional 67 horsepower and 51 lb-ft of torque from a newly upgraded 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which accounts for the higher price.

      What’s Causing the Increases?

      What’s fueling these price hikes? According to Petar Danilovic, the senior vice president for product marketing and strategy at VW of America, the company's pricing decision is based on a mix of competitor movements and broader market dynamics.

      “Like all other brands, we take into account what’s happening in the market and the actions of our competitors,” he explained to Autonews. “We also consider the cost of doing business. Then we determine where we believe a reasonable price increase fits.”

      Additionally, the new Tiguan is produced in Mexico, which subjects it to a 25 percent import tariff. That additional cost likely plays a role in the increasing prices across the model range, resulting in buyers shouldering part of that burden.

      Sources: VW, Auto News