Turbo: Is It Still a Performance Icon, or Just Porsche's Latest Gimmick?

Okay, Volkswagen. You’re throwing around the word "turbo" again. After years of gutless engines and marketing that made my eyes glaze over, are we finally getting something that doesn't feel like it's powered by hamsters on a wheel? The 2026 Tiguan Turbo is here, boasting 268 hp. Progress, I guess.

Tiguan: Turbocharged...Slightly

Let's be real: 268 hp ain't gonna win any races. But compared to the base 2025 Tiguan's pathetic 201 hp (up from 184hp in 2024, big whoop), it's at least a step in the right direction. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic? Standard fare. The real question is: does it feel like a turbo? Or does it just sound like one on paper? I'm guessing the latter.

They trimmed 170 pounds by ditching the useless third row and using more aluminum. Good move, VW. Now, if only they could trim another 500 pounds and inject some actual excitement into the driving experience.

The price? $43,085 before destination. For a Tiguan. Seriously? You could get a used Porsche for that kind of money. Just saying.

And speaking of turbos, G-Power is out there turning BMW M8s into 820hp monsters. GP-900 turbochargers, bigger wheels, the whole shebang. Twenty-three grand for the upgrade. Now that's a turbo worth talking about. The Tiguan Turbo is assembled in Puebla, Mexico, but I'd rather drive a G-Power G8M Bi-Turbo any day.

Screens and Mileage: The Usual Distractions

Of course, VW is trying to distract us with shiny screens. A 15-inch touchscreen in the Turbo trim, a 12.9-inch screen in the lower trims. And a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Because that's what people really care about, right? Not the actual driving experience, but how many pixels they can stare at while stuck in traffic.

And the EPA estimated fuel economy? 22 mpg city, 29 highway, 25 combined. Yawn. My lawnmower probably gets better mileage.

Seriously, are we supposed to be impressed by this? It's a slightly more powerful, slightly lighter Tiguan with bigger screens and a bigger price tag. Where's the innovation? Where's the passion? It feels like they're just going through the motions, churning out another boring crossover for the masses.

Actually, maybe I'm being too harsh. I mean, it's offcourse a Tiguan, not a sports car. But still... couldn't they have tried a little harder?

So, What's the Point?

VW's playing it safe, as usual. The 2026 Tiguan Turbo is fine. It's adequate. It's… there. But is it a turbo car that'll get your blood pumping? Nope. It's just another overpriced crossover with a slightly bigger engine and some fancy screens. Don't get your hopes up, people.