Volkswagen Tiguan R Line Vs Toyota Fortuner: Which One Actually Makes Sense For You?

The Indian Car market isn't just booming; it's evolving with SUVs, which everyone wants to own. But when it comes to premium SUVs, there are very few names that stir up the segment. Today, we'll pit the newly launched Volkswagen Tiguan R Line against the legendary Toyota Fortuner. Yes, I get it, these two belong to different schools of thought. One of them is German and performance-oriented while the other one is Japanese, rugged, and tried and tested. But here's the catch, not every buyer comes in with a brochure level of understanding, the confusion is real. Let's break it down for you, which makes more sense? But before moving ahead make sure to join the 91Wheels WhatsApp community to never miss out on any automotive updates.

Design Perspective

Let's not dive into the typical " who has a bigger grille or flashier DRLs", they are so popular that almost everyone knows how they look. we are not here to talk about what's on the car but rather who it is for. The Volkswagen Tiguan R line won't impress you with its size or aggression. It offers a very subtle design, for someone who loves clean lines, and precision cuts. This isn't loud or flashy and usually caters to the calculated buyers who don't want to prove anything but still want to drive something that turns heads.

On the other hand, the Fortuner doesn't do subtle and that's the whole point. It stands tall and wide, built to stand out in the crowd. So, we can make out that it is for someone who likes being noticed and can go on any terrain or road without even thinking. The Fortuner undoubtedly looks dominant, dependable and rugged. We didn't tell you, which one looks better than the other, that's not the point here but it is to help you figure out which one reflects you.

Features

Stepping inside the R line, you'll be welcomed by a very minimalistic all-black cabin. It boasts a plethora of features including a 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless connectivity and a 10.3-inch all-digital instrument cluster. Moreover, it has 3-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof, massaging front seats, 30 colour ambient lighting, sports seats with massaging feature for the front seats, and wireless charging for two phones among other convenience features. Meanwhile, for safety, it relies on 9 airbags, ABS with EBD, 4-wheel disc brake, 21 features of Level 2 ADAS, electronic parking brake, and much more.

On the other hand, the Toyota Fortuner plays a different game by offering three-row seating, a ton of space and a high commanding view. When compared to the Tiguan, the interior feels less premium, and tough but not plush. Coming to the features part, it offers 8-inch touchscreen infotainment with Andriod Auto and Apple Carplay, cruise control, ventilated seats, an 11 JBL speakers system, wireless charging, and a sensor-based tailgate. For the safety part, it has seven airbags, vehicle stability control, ABS with EBD, and Hill assist control. It remains fair to acknowledge that Fortuner brings a lot to the table in terms of size and road presence but it does fall a bit short on features when compared to the Tiguan.

Powertrains

The Volkswagen Tiguan R Line continues to be powered by the same 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, which is paired with a 7-speed DCT. It delivers 204 PS and 320 Nm of torque. The R Line also gets 4MOTION AWD for better performance and handling. However, there's no diesel engine on offer, which could be a deal breaker for many. Also, despite being powerful, it's not a hardcore off-roader; it's more of an urban SUV.

Under the hood, the Toyota Fortuner offers two engine options: a 2.7-litre petrol engine and a 2.8-litre diesel engine. The petrol unit belts out 163 bhp and 245 Nm of torque while, the diesel mill generates 201 bhp and 420 Nm of torque. Both the engine gets an option of a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic gearbox while, the diesel unit also comes with a 4X4 option.

Pricing

When it comes to pricing, the Toyota Fortuner is available at a starting price of Rs 33.78 lakh (ex-showroom), which makes it more accessible to a wider range of audience. The top-spec GR-S variant goes up to Rs 51.94 lakh (ex-showroom), which is where it overlaps the Tiguan. On the other hand, the Tiguan R Line comes in just one fully feature-loaded variant that costs Rs 49 lakh (ex-showroom).

Which Makes More Sense?

Let me simplify it for you:

Choose the Volkswagen Tiguan R Line if

• You want a stylish urban SUV with German engineering
• You prefer petrol engines and don't need diesel
• You drive mostly in the city or highway and you're not a hardcore off roader
• You love driving and premium features matter while don't need the third-row

Choose the Toyota Fortuner if

• You need a true SUV with 3-row seating and an aggressive road presence
• You need a powerful Diesel engine, fuel economy and a better resale value
• You frequently travel in rough terrain and poor roads
• You want peace of mind and the capability to go anywhere

Read More: Can the MG Majestor Outshine the Toyota Fortuner Legender?