The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo is on a bit of a roll lately. It took the top spot in Edmunds' test of eight compact crossover models, winning praise for its "near-luxury" interior, which stood out from the competition. That same interior is continuing to win accolades from automotive experts, as Team Gillman Volkswagen of Kingwood is pleased to announce that WardsAuto named the Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo as one of the 10 Best interiors for 2026.

Unlike some publications, WardsAuto doesn’t give awards for entire vehicles but instead focuses on specific qualities of a vehicle, notably drivetrains and interiors. In the case of the latter, editors judge interiors across a variety of categories, including design & aesthetics, comfort, materials, fit-and-finish, connectivity and infotainment, displays and controls, advanced driver-assist systems, and overall value.

“This recognition highlights what the Tiguan is engineered to deliver: a thoughtfully elevated interior that blends premium materials, advanced digital technology, and exceptional comfort to create a truly refined experience,” said Petar Danilovic, SVP, Product Marketing and Strategy, Volkswagen of America.

While the SEL R-Line Turbo is the top of the Tiguan model line and has a few additional niceties in its interior, much of what won this award can actually be found in every 2026 Tiguan. In WardsAuto's words, “’dazzling’ sums up in a single word the extraordinary cabin of the Volkswagen Tiguan, which delights at first glance and doesn’t disappoint with time.”

Editors specifically praised how the 2026 Tiguan interior is "loaded with features we [typically] find only on much more expensive vehicles," including:

• Stainless-steel-capped pedals
• Heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Aggressively bolstered seats
• Cockpit-like layout that embraces the driver
• The ability to create your own atmosphere, including Joy, Nature, Energetic, Minimal and Lounge by adjusting both lighting and the sound from the “excellent 700-watt, 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system”
• Amber-brown leather interior which “splashes color beyond the quilt-patterned and perforated seats to the doors and dash to provide a finishing punch”
• Massaging front seats and rear outboard heated seats

"In a landscape where there are a seemingly endless number of compact SUVs from different brands, there is a similarity to many of the interiors. Yet with the Tiguan, VW designers have created something different, distinctive and desirable,” shared one of the judges, Gary Vasilash. Judge Drew Winter added, "considering the average vehicle costs approximately $50,000, our $45,000 Tiguan test car is way above average with features we only find on much more expensive vehicles.”

The third-generation Tiguan offers a perfect blend of spaciousness and comfort in a compact SUV design. It provides more power, better fuel efficiency, and safety features that enhance your driving experience, while featuring a luxurious interior and an eye-catching exterior. Trims include S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and the award-winning SEL R-Line Turbo. A new standard Travel Assist system includes driver-initiated lane-change capabilities.

If you are looking at a compact crossover as almost 3 million people did and bought in 2025, we invite you to Team Gillman Volkswagen of Kingwood to sample the 2026 Tiguan (and its interior) for yourself.