Volkswagen Australia has confirmed it would introduce plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variations of its Tiguan and Tayron SUVs within the first half of 2026 because it seems to capitalise on the uptake of hybrid fashions.
Whereas full particulars are but to be confirmed, Volkswagen Australia head of product for passenger autos, Arjun Nidigallu, informed CarExpert that two energy outputs will likely be supplied throughout two mannequin grades for each SUVs after they hit showrooms subsequent yr.
The German automaker informed CarExpert late final yr it was trying to plug gaps in its lineup with new hybrid (HEV) and PHEV fashions, starting with its greatest sellers. The Tiguan mid-size SUV is its hottest mannequin thus far in 2025.
Volkswagen at the moment affords solely a single PHEV in Australia, the flagship Touareg R massive efficiency SUV, whereas rivals have capitalised on the growing reputation of hybrids Down Underneath.
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That’s regardless of the model already providing hybrid variations of the Tiguan, Touareg, Golf and Passat in Europe.
“We won’t be positioning this plug-in hybrid like we’ve finished earlier than with Touareg, which is as a flagship chief of the pack,” Mr Nigigallu stated.
“We’re a number of mannequin grades in each Tiguan and Tayron… we’ve had it in abroad markets, we simply needed to get the proper package deal, the proper product for Australian clients, and the proper timing as effectively.”
Whereas Volkswagen at the moment affords a Tiguan PHEV in China, each fashions coming to Australia will likely be sourced from Germany.
Energy outputs have been confirmed as 150kW and 200kW, whereas Magnificence and R-Spec gear grades for each the Tiguan and Tayron will even match the PHEV lineup already obtainable for the Tiguan in Europe.
Each use a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine teamed with an 85kW electrical motor and a 19.7kWh battery providing an electrical vary of as much as 120km (WLTP) and a complete driving vary of 900km.
Charging speeds are as much as 50kW through a DC fast-charger and 11kW through house chargers.
The identical powertrain has been confirmed for the Skoda Kodiaq PHEV that’s scheduled to reach in Australia within the first quarter of subsequent yr, in addition to the Skoda Octavia PHEV which is anticipated to reach round mid-2026.
The Tiguan, Tayron and Kodiaq are all based mostly on the identical Volkswagen Group MQB Evo platform.
With Magnificence and R-Line trim ranges deliberate (Volkswagen Australia will skip the lower-spec Tiguan Life PHEV supplied in Europe), the German model’s PHEVs are anticipated to command a worth premium over equal petrol-only autos, whereas additionally including gross sales to each nameplates.
“Sure,” Mr Nigigallu stated when requested by CarExpert if there will likely be a worth premium over petrol fashions. “However we try to good package deal it for our clients.
“We anticipate the PHEV to draw a brand new set of shoppers in addition to those that will transition from ICE to PHEV – so sure, in precept [we expect] extra quantity, nevertheless, the main focus proper now’s to offer clients the selection throughout powertrains.”
PHEV variations of the Tiguan will even give Volkswagen a direct rival to the upcoming next-generation Toyota RAV4 (Australia’s hottest SUV, which can convey PHEV energy for the primary time subsequent yr), in addition to the BYD Sealion 6, and PHEV variations of the Mitsubishi Outlander, GWM Haval H6, Chery Tiggo 7, Jaecoo J7 and MG HS.
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