Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 2025 review: 162TSI R-Line

There are just four variants for the Allspace line-up now and the grade I'm testing is the flagship 162TSI R-Line which is priced from $60,590 before on-road costs.

VW lowered the prices across a range of models this year and it's a move that should garner favour with buyers who are tired of price hikes and often with no added or upgraded features. That isn't the case with the Tiguan Allspace as it's actually $300 less than last year.

The flagship model is also the most affordable high-spec option compared to its rivals including the Kia Sorento GT-Line at $65,590 MSRP and Toyota Kluger GXL AWD at $67,940 MSRP.

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 162TSI R-Line (Image: Glen Sullivan)

Then there are other medium SUVs with a third-row like the Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed Tourer from $55,190 before on-road costs, and the Honda CR-V VTi L7 from $53,000 drive-away, but the VW has more kit than that version of CR-V

Our test model has a few optional extras fitted like the panoramic sunroof which tacks on $2100, and the Sound & Vision package which adds satellite navigation, gesture control, wireless connectivity and a premium 10-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system for an extra $1950.

Standard equipment for the top model includes new external IQ.Light Matrix LEDs, 20-inch alloy wheels, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 9.2-inch touchscreen multimedia system and a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel.

Luxury features include powered front seats with heating and cooling functions and three-position memory function. Heated rear outboard seats, a heated steering wheel, 30-colour ambient lighting, and Vienna black leather upholstery throughout.

Practical features include three-zone climate control, powered tailgate, keyless entry, auto-headlights, daytime running lights, push-button start, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, and a wireless charging pad.

It's expected that a top-model should be well-specified and the 162TSI R-Line delivers.

The cabin is fairly practical but that practicality is mostly found in the first and second rows. The front row offers the most comfort and space but occupants still enjoy the tucked-in feeling of being in a cockpit.

The powered front seats are more firm than plush but the adjustable lumbar support, as well as the heat and cooling functions ensure a comfortable longer journey.

Despite the panoramic sunroof, the middle row has plenty of headroom for my 168cm height and I have decent legroom behind my driving position. However, when you have a few taller adults seated - the cabin can feel squishy.

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 162TSI R-Line (Image: Glen Sullivan)

The middle-row seating is firm and not as wide as it could be. There is a decent gap between the sides of the seat and each door, to make room for what appears to be a side step to the third row (which is not needed). This means that adults will see a bit of fatigue in this row but the heat functions on the outboard seats soften the blow.

However, on a general note; the doors open widely and the 186mm ground clearance means the Allspace is ridiculously easy to get in and out of and to fit big child seats through the apertures.

The third row is adorably small and even my seven-year old commented on how little room he had for his legs - so keep this row for kids only.

Individual storage is pretty good for the class with five cupholders and four drink bottle holders throughout the car, as well as a glove box that can hold a manual, a cubby to the right of the drivers' knee and a small middle console with an adjustable armrest up front.

There are four device pockets and two map pockets in the middle row but front rowers also get a dedicated phone shelf which houses the wireless charging pad, two USB-C ports and the 12-volt socket. There is a single USB-C port and 12-volt socket in the middle row but third rowers miss out on charging options.

The other technology looks great and is easy to use once you spend some time with it. The multimedia system has an optioned ‘gesture control’, which enthralled my son but was a bit gimmicky for me.

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 162TSI R-Line (Image: Glen Sullivan)

The wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto keep the cabin feeling neat. The optioned satellite navigation was a must-have in the city and simple to follow as the directions are displayed on the digital instrument panel.

Rounding out the cabin is the boot space, which offers 230L of capacity when all three rows are in use but you can bump it up to a respectable 700L when the third row is folded.

Underneath the level loading space is a space-saver spare tyre and dedicated spot for the cargo cover but you would have to remove the third row to access the tyre. This model comes with a powered tailgate, which I always like.

Some buyers may be disappointed that the diesel engine has been axed but the 162TSI R-Line still has a punchy 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that produces 162kW of power and 350Nm of torque.

VW claims the R-Line can do a 0-100km/h sprint in a respectable 6.8 seconds and the AWD should entice weekend adventurers.

The official combined fuel-cycle consumption figure is a low 8.6/100km and my real-world usage sits at 9.3L/100L after a lot of open-road driving with some urban thrown in.

Expect that figure to be higher in an urban setting but it's a pretty good result considering I'm no grandma when it comes to using power.

Based on the official combined fuel cycle and 60L fuel tank, expect a theoretical driving range of up to 697km.

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 162TSI R-Line (Image: Glen Sullivan)

At the time of this review, the current Tiguan Allspace has not been tested with ANCAP and is unrated, but all pre-2023 models achieved a five-star rating under the 2016 protocol.

The 162TSI R-Line still boasts a healthy safety features list including seven airbags and the curtain airbags cover all three rows. It has intelligent seatbelts which are active on the first two rows.

Standard equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, driver attention monitor, pedestrian monitoring, tyre pressure monitoring, forward collision warning, AEB, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure alert, lane keeping aid, adaptive cruise control with stop and go function, as well as a 360-degree view camera system with front and rear parking sensors.

A highlight feature is the parking assist function, which is a semi-autonomous 'park itself feature' - which helps getting into a tricky car space.

The middle row has ISOFIX mounts on the outboard seats plus three top tethers and you might get three skinny seats installed (with some overhang) but two will fit best.