Tiguan Price Increases
The popular Volkswagen Tiguan crossover is becoming significantly more expensive for the 2026 model year, and customs tariffs play a certain role in this. Depending on the Tiguan version you plan to purchase, you may need to pay an additional $2,630, which is a significant increase considering that the 2026 model is almost identical to the 2025 Tiguan, except for the new Turbo trim.
Gradual Increase in Recommended Prices
Compared to the original prices of the 2025 model year announced back in March, the base price of the 2026 Tiguan has increased by a noticeable 4.4%. Even before this increase, the compact SUV had already undergone its first price hike in July, shortly after sales began in May. The 2025 Tiguan debuted after a major redesign and initially cost $30,920.
This is now the third price adjustment since its debut, this time for the 2026 model year. The base Tiguan S FWD version now costs $32,280, which is $610 more expensive than the 2025 model. Volkswagen applied the same $610 increase to the Tiguan S AWD, Tiguan SE FWD, and Tiguan SE AWD versions.
Further up the lineup, the increases become more noticeable. The Tiguan SE R-Line AWD increases by 2.8%, rising by $1,090 to $40,220, while the SE R-Line FWD now costs $38,720, an increase of the same amount.
New SEL R-Line Turbo Version
At the top of the Tiguan family is the new SEL R-Line Turbo version. It replaces the previous SEL R-Line trim, which started at $41,930, but the 2026 model now starts at $44,560, which is $2,630 more expensive.
However, despite the somewhat confusing nomenclature, this is not just a name change. The SEL R-Line Turbo is actually a different model, receiving an additional 67 horsepower and 51 lb-ft of torque from an updated 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which partially explains the higher price.
Reasons for Price Increases
What caused this increase? According to Petar Danilovic, Senior Vice President of Product Marketing and Strategy at Volkswagen of America, the company made the decision based on a combination of competitors’ actions and general market factors.
Like all other brands, we analyze what is happening in the market, what our competitors are doing. We also consider the cost of doing business. Then we make a decision regarding where we consider a price increase to be reasonable.
There is another factor. The new Tiguan is manufactured in Mexico, which means it now faces a 25% import tariff. This additional cost likely contributes to the overall price increase, forcing buyers to absorb part of these expenses.
These changes occur against the backdrop of a general trend in the automotive industry, where manufacturers are increasingly raising prices due to inflation, logistics costs, and geopolitical factors. For many automakers, including Volkswagen, passing on part of these costs to consumers is becoming a necessary step to maintain profitability, especially for models imported from countries subject to additional customs duties.