Volkswagen Australia has confirmed it’ll introduce plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variations of its Tiguan and Tayron SUVs within the first half of 2026 because it seems to be 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 can be provided throughout two mannequin grades for each SUVs once they hit showrooms subsequent 12 months.
The German automaker informed CarExpert late final 12 months 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 to this point in 2025.
Volkswagen presently gives solely a single PHEV in Australia, the flagship Touareg R massive efficiency SUV, whereas rivals have capitalised on the rising reputation of hybrids Down Beneath.
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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 carried out earlier than with Touareg, which is as a flagship chief of the pack,” Mr Nigigallu stated.
“We’re taking a look at a number of mannequin grades in each Tiguan and Tayron… we’ve had it in abroad markets, we simply needed to get the correct bundle, the correct product for Australian clients, and the correct timing as nicely.”
Whereas Volkswagen presently gives a Tiguan PHEV in China, each fashions coming to Australia can be sourced from Germany.
Energy outputs have been confirmed as 150kW and 200kW, whereas Magnificence and R-Spec tools grades for each the Tiguan and Tayron may even match the PHEV lineup already out there 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 residence 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 12 months, 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 provided 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 can be a worth premium over petrol fashions. “However we try to good bundle it for our clients.
“We count on the PHEV to draw a brand new set of consumers in addition to those that will transition from ICE to PHEV – so sure, in precept [we expect] extra quantity, nonetheless, the main focus proper now’s to provide clients the selection throughout powertrains.”
PHEV variations of the Tiguan may even give Volkswagen a direct rival to the upcoming next-generation Toyota RAV4 (Australia’s hottest SUV, which is able to carry PHEV energy for the primary time subsequent 12 months), 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.
MORE: Discover the Volkswagen Tiguan showroom
