Volkswagen Australia has confirmed it will introduce plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions of its Tiguan and Tayron SUVs in the first half of 2026 as it looks to capitalise on the uptake of hybrid models.
While full details are yet to be confirmed, Volkswagen Australia head of product for passenger vehicles, Arjun Nidigallu, told CarExpert that two power outputs will be offered across two model grades for both SUVs when they hit showrooms next year.
The German automaker told CarExpert late last year it was looking to plug gaps in its lineup with new hybrid (HEV) and PHEV models, beginning with its biggest sellers. The Tiguan mid-size SUV is its most popular model so far in 2025.
Volkswagen currently offers only a single PHEV in Australia, the flagship Touareg R large performance SUV, while rivals have capitalised on the increasing popularity of hybrids Down Under.
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That’s despite the brand already offering hybrid versions of the Tiguan, Touareg, Golf and Passat in Europe.
“We will not be positioning this plug-in hybrid like we’ve done before with Touareg, which is as a flagship leader of the pack,” Mr Nigigallu said.
“We are looking at multiple model grades in both Tiguan and Tayron… we’ve had it in overseas markets, we just had to get the right package, the right product for Australian customers, and the right timing as well.”
While Volkswagen currently offers a Tiguan PHEV in China, both models coming to Australia will be sourced from Germany.
Power outputs have been confirmed as 150kW and 200kW, while Elegance and R-Spec equipment grades for both the Tiguan and Tayron will also match the PHEV lineup already available for the Tiguan in Europe.
Both use a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine teamed with an 85kW electric motor and a 19.7kWh battery offering an electric range of up to 120km (WLTP) and a total driving range of 900km.
Charging speeds are up to 50kW via a DC fast-charger and 11kW via home chargers.
The same powertrain has been confirmed for the Skoda Kodiaq PHEV that’s scheduled to arrive in Australia in the first quarter of next year, as well as the Skoda Octavia PHEV which is expected to arrive around mid-2026.
The Tiguan, Tayron and Kodiaq are all based on the same Volkswagen Group MQB Evo platform.
With Elegance and R-Line trim levels planned (Volkswagen Australia will skip the lower-spec Tiguan Life PHEV offered in Europe), the German brand’s PHEVs are expected to command a price premium over equivalent petrol-only vehicles, while also adding sales to both nameplates.
“Yes,” Mr Nigigallu said when asked by CarExpert if there will be a price premium over petrol models. “But we are trying to smart package it for our customers.
“We expect the PHEV to attract a new set of customers as well as those who will transition from ICE to PHEV – so yes, in principle [we expect] additional volume, however, the focus right now is to give customers the choice across powertrains.”
PHEV versions of the Tiguan will also give Volkswagen a direct rival to the upcoming next-generation Toyota RAV4 (Australia’s most popular SUV, which will bring PHEV power for the first time next year), as well as the BYD Sealion 6, and PHEV versions of the Mitsubishi Outlander, GWM Haval H6, Chery Tiggo 7, Jaecoo J7 and MG HS.
