Volkswagen Australia has confirmed it’s going to introduce plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variations of its Tiguan and Tayron SUVs within the first half of 2026 because it appears to be like 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, advised CarExpert that two energy outputs might be provided throughout two mannequin grades for each SUVs after they hit showrooms subsequent yr.
The German automaker advised CarExpert late final yr it was seeking to plug gaps in its lineup with new hybrid (HEV) and PHEV fashions, starting with its largest sellers. The Tiguan mid-size SUV is its hottest mannequin up to now in 2025.
Volkswagen at the moment gives solely a single PHEV in Australia, the flagship Touareg R giant efficiency SUV, whereas rivals have capitalised on the growing recognition of hybrids Down Underneath.
CarExpert can prevent 1000’s on a brand new automotive. Click on right here to get an excellent deal.
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 achieved earlier than with Touareg, which is as a flagship chief of the pack,” Mr Nigigallu mentioned.
“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 fitting bundle, the fitting product for Australian prospects, and the fitting timing as effectively.”
Whereas Volkswagen at the moment gives a Tiguan PHEV in China, each fashions coming to Australia might 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 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 by way of a DC fast-charger and 11kW by way of 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 predicted 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 value premium over equal petrol-only autos, whereas additionally including gross sales to each nameplates.
“Sure,” Mr Nigigallu mentioned when requested by CarExpert if there might be a value premium over petrol fashions. “However we are attempting to good bundle it for our prospects.
“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 present prospects 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 can carry 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.
MORE: Discover the Volkswagen Tiguan showroom
