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What's the difference?
The Volkswagen Tiguan R Grid Edition can be a loud, wild beast tearing at the tarmac with 235kW (more than 300 horsepower!) and next minute a comfortable and quiet mid-sized family SUV.
But another one of its talents is being more than $6000 less to buy than the Tiguan R on which this special edition is based.
How is that possible? What's the catch? Could it be the one of the best buys on the market right now?
You'll know after reading this review.
There is a plethora of medium SUVs to choose from in our market, so what will make you notice the Subaru Forester 2.5i-S?
It's second from the top for the (petrol) Forester line-up, has a decidedly spacious cabin, and probably most importantly, an affordable price point!
It has some tough rivals, like the practical Nissan X-Trail, which you can now get with seven seats and the feature-heavy Skoda Karoq.
Australia’s darling, the Toyota RAV4, is also a contender. So, should you make like the snow fields and join forces with this Subaru?
I’ve been driving it with my family of three to find out for you.
If there is a catch to the discounted price of the Tiguan R Grid Edition it's that you'll have to live without leather seats and a head-up display, which is fine in my books as long as the dynamics and engine are the same, which they are in this special SUV.
What isn't ideal is the Tiguan R Grid Edition not having blind-spot warning or rear cross-traffic alert, which are standard on the regular Tiguan R.
Volkswagen had to make a hard decision there, and to be fair, the lack of availability of semiconductors is the reason behind this, not cost reduction.
If you are able to accept this, you'll have a relatively affordable SUV that can do both beast mode and family mode with impressive skill.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.
The Subaru Forester 2.5i-S continues to impress me. It’s a very practical family car with its features and use of space but I like the price, too. Some of the old-school design aspects won’t appeal to everyone, though. I also would prefer a more powerful engine but this easily gets an 8.0/10 from me.
My son liked his view this week and the big sunroof, he gives it a 7.0/10.
Some carmakers would go overboard in coming up with the styling of a 300+ horsepower mid-sized SUV, but not Volkswagen which is the master of understated, yet cool, design.
Any model wearing that R badge is special. On first glance the Tiguan R Grid Edition looks ready for a boardroom meeting but look closer and you'll see it's ready for battle.
Check out the Tiguan R Grid Edition's quad exhaust, its aggro R front bumper, the 21-inch 'Estoril' alloy wheels and the blacked-out grille.
The cabin is a premium looking place but like the insides of all Volkswagens it seems very business class, functional but not too fancy.
Thankfully the sports seats, while not Nappa leather as in the Tiguan R, stop it from all being a bit serious and grown up in here.
The 2023 model hasn’t seen a facelift and remains decidedly curvy with its chunky body panelling but the LED exterior lights add some sharpness to the overall look.
The interior carries the ‘muscular’ vibe with the thick cutaways and ledges on the dashboard and door panels. There’s a lot happening inside but it all somehow manages to not be overwhelming.
It’s a bit old-school inside, with the traditional gearshifter, CD player (yep, they still exist) and smaller 8.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system but I reckon it just makes this look more capable.
It’s certainly polished but it won’t appeal to drivers who are looking for sleek or futuristic styling.
The Tiguan R Grid Edition is a five-seater, mid-sized SUV, it's not a seven-seater like the Tiguan AllSpace and there isn't an R version of that larger Tiguan. There is an R-Line Allspace, however.
Still, the Tiguan R Grid Edition is spacious with excellent headroom and even at 191cm tall I could sit comfortably in the second row behind my driving position.
This sounds really nerdy, but I love the way Volkswagen does door pockets - they're gigantic and I tend to throw my wallet, house keys and the mobile clutter from the rest of my life in there.
There are four cupholders on board, too (two up front and two in the second row).
The cargo capacity of the boot is big for the class at 616 litres. There are two levels to the boot floor, along with cargo hooks.
You'd expect a $64K SUV to have a power tailgate but the Grid Edition doesn't have one and this is down to the global semiconductor shortage.
The manual tailgate is fine, just remember to close it yourself - embarrassingly, on the launch I pressed the 'blank' panel where the button should be only to almost drive off with it open.
Also missing is wireless phone charging, but there are three USB ports (two up front and one in the rear).
Dark tinted side windows in the rear and climate control with directional air vents in the second row are big ticks on my own checklist for a good family car - the kids will be protected from the Aussie sun and travelling in a comfortable temperature. Never had these luxuries in my day...
The interior is downright practical and boasts more space than this SUV class can usually claim. At 168cm (5'6") I have plenty of head and legroom in both rows, even with the electric sunroof! Tall passengers will feel comfortable, too.
Up front, the leather-accented seats are well-padded and both are electric with heating function but the passenger side misses out on additional lumbar support.
Individual storage options are quite good with a deep middle console and glove box, plus two cupholders and a drink bottle holder in each door.
The phone utility tray is a tad too small for my iPhone 8 Plus, which makes it awkward when you connect to the wired Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
The 8.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system is on the smaller side but the graphics are super clear. It’s not laggy either, which is always a bonus, and has built-in satellite navigation, too.
There is an additional 4.2-inch screen on top of the dash plus the 6.3-inch digital instrument panel – both display safety and vehicle information but I found it confusing jumping between all three screens while on the go.
Incorporating the smaller screen’s info into a larger instrument panel would have been better.
Charging options are good throughout with each row getting two USB-A ports but the front also enjoys two 12-volt ports too.
The back seat is almost as comfortable as the front and individual storage is better than average with a map pocket and two device holders on the backs of both front seats. There are those drink bottle holders and two cupholders in the fold-down armrest.
The amenities are a bit bare but I do like that you have directional air-vents and those USB ports.
My six-year old and my parents found it super easy to get in and out of this car because of the 220mm ground clearance.
The doors were a little heavy for my son to operate smoothly but I love how they open to almost 90 degrees because it made it easy to fit my monster booster seat through the aperture.
On that note, there are ISOFIX child-seat mounts on the outboard seats and three top-tether anchor points and I reckon you might get lucky with three skinny seats.
There should be plenty of room for front passengers when a 0-4 rearward facing child seat is installed, too.
I really like how wide and tall the aperture is for the boot but was surprised that it only has 498L of capacity because it looks a lot bigger.
It has a level loading space but because of the full-sized spare wheel, you can’t adjust the floor level. And as always, it’s great having a powered tailgate.
The Tiguan R Grid Edition lists for $63,990 - that's $6500 less than the regular Tiguan R. Volkswagen also says just 300 or so will be made available.
You're saving money because there are some big dollar items in the Tiguan R that didn't make it into the Grid Edition.
So, the Nappa leather upholstery from the Tiguan R is replaced with fabric sports seats in the Grid Edition, it also misses out on a head-up display and 'Matrix' LED headlights.
The good news is all the engineering stays the same and there are still plenty of great features.
Coming standard are 'Performance' LED headlights and LED running lights, three-zone climate control, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, paddle shifters, a 9.2-inch media display with sat nav, there's also wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The only option available on the Tiguan R Grid Edition is the panoramic sunroof.
When it comes to rivals there's the Cupra Formentor VZe for $62,990, Skoda Kodiaq RS for $69,290, and check out Mazda's new CX-60 Evolve which costs $59,800.
There are seven models in the petrol-based Forester line-up and this sits second from the top, with a price tag of $46,340, before on-road costs.
That puts it just under its nearest rival, the X-Trail ST-L ($46,790) but makes it a fair bit more affordable than the Karoq Sportline 4x4 ($49,490) and RAV4 XSE ($52,585).
There are two hybrid versions available, if you’re looking for something a bit eco-friendlier.
The Forester 2.5i-S is well-specified with leather-accented trims, heated front seats, electric front seats with eight-way adjustments, dual memory seat positions (driver only), a powered tailgate, a sunroof and a full-size spare wheel.
The exterior hosts full LEDs with its daytime running lights, headlights and tail-lights but it still misses out on ambient lighting inside.
Is has dual climate-control is up front and directional air vents in both rows, plus multiple charging options add to interior practicality. Its technology feels up to market with the graphics however the packaging looks older but more on that later.
You do have to fork out a bit extra for carpet mats ($207.07, fitted) but otherwise, even the paintwork is included in the price tag.
In that nose is 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine making 235kW and 400Nm, and it's driving all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
A superb engine, a great transmission with lighting quick changes and brilliant traction from the all-wheel drive system.
And exactly the same as found in a regular Tiguan R. Volkswagen hasn't taken anything out here.
That makes the Tiguan R Grid Edition a 235kW family SUV with a 0-100km/h time of 5.1 seconds. That is quick.
How much fuel does it use? Less than you probably think.
Our Forester model has a 2.5-litre, horizontally-opposed four-cylinder 'boxer' petrol engine with a maximum power output of 136kW and 239Nm of torque.
It’s not the most powerful engine but I feel it had plenty of power for what I required of it this week. It can occasionally whine if you push it hard on a hill.
This is an all-wheel drive but has a continuously variable auto transmission, which can feel a bit clumsy at lower speeds.
You'll need to feed your Tiguan R Grid Edition premium unleaded petrol and Volkswagen says that over a combination of open and urban roads you'll use 8.8L/100km.
That's not overly high considering this SUV isn't small, but how much fuel you use will really depend on how you drive it and no there isn't a hybrid or electric version.
A 58-litre tank means the official consumption figure translates to a driving range of around 660km.
The official fuel figure for the combined cycle is 7.4L/100km and my real-world usage came to 6.9L. That’s great economy for this sized SUV but I did mostly open-road driving this week. Expect it to be higher in the city.
Based on the combined fuel figure and the 63L fuel tank, you should be able to get a driving range of around 850km, which is good for those families who like to do road trips.
If it's possible to drive in every condition over the space of eight hours then you can do it in Victoria. From grid-locked Melbourne CBD traffic in the hot morning sun to an awesome mountain run with the temperature dropping and mist rolling in.
So, in the space of that day the Tiguan R Grid Edition showed what it could do in pretty much every situation you'll be in.
Traffic is traffic, no matter what car you're sitting in but the Tiguan R Grid Edition is a comfortable place to be with those supportive sports seats, good visibility and light steering.
So, a normal Tiguan in everyday driving, right down to the comfortable and composed ride, even if this Grid Edition rolls on impossibly thin 255/35 R21 Hankook Ventus Evo S1 tyres.
But as we left the suburbs behind and pushed into the countryside towards Lake Mountain in Victoria's Alpine region, the 235kW turbo-petrol engine cleared its throat and made itself known.
Overtaking proved to be quick and simple on the highway, and hills were squashed easily by the grunt of that engine.
There's a little blue 'R' button on the steering wheel which puts the Tiguan R Grid Edition into 'Race' mode - more like Beast mode. The dampers firm up for flatter handling and the exhaust note changes to a deep rumble.
The Tiguan R Grid Edition isn't just powerful, it turns into corners beautifully, the transmission downshifting like a pro, the grip from the tyres impressive and the traction from all-wheel drive reassuring.
That same day I drove the T-Roc R Grid Edition as well, the little brother of the Tiguan R Grid Edition. I found the mini-monster T-Roc to be more fun and agile, but it is smaller and lighter with only a fraction less grunt.
Still there are not many mid-sized family SUVs that could outperform the Tiguan R Grid Edition at this price.
I’ve mostly enjoyed driving this around town but it delivers a steadier experience on the open road. That CVT auto just doesn’t do it any favours in stop/start traffic, I’m afraid!
I didn’t have to get too aggressive with the accelerator on hills, but the engine can whine if you push it too hard.
Overall, the steering is responsive enough to confidently take on a winding road but it’s on the looser side of firm. The ride comfort is superior and while the suspension feels super cushioned, it’s not floaty.
The cabin can get a bit loud at higher speeds and your senses might feel battered after a long trip but it is otherwise pleasant to be in.
I am particularly fond of the higher driving position and how the windows at the rear are so wide. It has great visibility, which is important in a SUV.
The exterior styling makes the Forester appear a lot larger than it is but the 10.8m turning circle reminds you how easy it is to manoeuvre!
The reversing camera is clear and I love the additional side camera that shows the front left wheel. It makes it easy to line up the car with parking lines.
The Tiguan R Grid Edition was tested by ANCAP in 2016 and received the maximum five-star rating.
Do you remember what you were doing in 2016? I do, I was writing about how amazingly safe the Tiguan was with its newly received five-star ANCAP rating. But that's a while ago now and safety tech benchmarks have come a long way.
To be fair, most new models are independently assessed when they're new and go through the process again when a major change or new generation is launched.
And this Tiguan model is getting towards the end of its cycle and will be replaced soon by an entirely fresh version.
What's important to know is that while the Tiguan R Grid Edition has a good crash rating and great safety tech like AEB, lane keeping assistance and manoeuvre braking (for parking), it misses out on blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert.
These are two safety aids that help enormously and it's a shame they aren't included here on a family SUV.
It's for these reasons the Tiguan R Grid Edition hasn't scored tremendously well in this safety section. But make no mistake - this is a very safe SUV.
For child seats there are two ISOFIX points and three top tether anchor mounts across the rear row.
You are well sorted for airbags, too. Curtain airbags extend from the front to the back, Plus for the driver and the co-pilot there are front and side airbags, plus a driver's knee airbag.
The safety features are robust on the Forester and I really like the driver fatigue monitor because it has facial recognition technology that watches you for signs of inattention. I tested it a lot this week and found it fairly responsive.
Other features that come standard, are LED daytime running lights, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping aids, lane departure warning, intelligent seat belt reminders, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and adaptive cruise control with stop/go and lane keeping function.
It has autonomous emergency braking with car, pedestrian and cyclist detection which is operational from 0-80km/h.
The Forester was awarded a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating but it was done a while ago in 2019. There are seven airbags but it’s missing the front centre airbag we’re starting to see on new cars.
The Tiguan Grid Edition is covered by Volkswagen's five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.
A five-year servicing plan costs $3200 (annual average $640) and you'll need to get the car serviced every 12 months or 15,000km.
Expensive servicing and no standard capped prices lowers the score here.
The on-going costs are quite reasonable on this with it coming with a five-year/unlimited km warranty. You can choose to pre-purchase a three- or five-year capped-priced servicing plan, which is cheaper than a pay-as-you-go option.
It’s $1387.25 for the three-year plan (averaging $463 per service). Expect to pay $2674.64 for the five-year plan (averaging $535 per service) but both plans are competitive for the class.
Servicing intervals are average at every 12 months or 12,500km, whichever occurs first.