Volkswagen Puts the GTI Engine in Three Regular Cars

Volkswagen is spicing up its European portfolio by giving three of its sensible cars the heart of a hot hatchback. From now on, the Tiguan and Tayron SUVs and the Passat wagon can be ordered with the same turbocharged four-cylinder engine found in the Golf GTI. The 2.0-liter unit is the VW Group’s fourth-generation “EA888” dialed to an identical 261 hp.

It gets better. The maximum torque rises from the regular GTI’s 273 lb-ft (370 Nm) to the 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) found in the spicy GTI Clubsport, which VW sadly doesn’t sell in the United States. While the performance hatchbacks are strictly a front-wheel-drive affair, the Tiguan, Tayron, and Passat get the engine only in combination with all-wheel drive.

Despite being much heavier than a Golf GTI, the Passat fitted with the same engine is actually a tenth of a second quicker to 62 mph (100 km/h). Thanks to the all-wheel-drive system, the job is done in 5.8 seconds. The Tiguan and Tayron match the GTI’s acceleration, taking 5.9 seconds. However, the Golf GTI Clubsport is notably quicker, at 5.6 seconds, whereas the Golf R takes just 4.6 seconds.

If you want this engine in your family SUV or wagon, VW requires buyers to upgrade to the R-Line flagship trim level. Consequently, the cars are not exactly cheap: They cost €57,995 ($60,100) for a Tiguan, €59,755 ($62,000) for the Tayron, and a whopping €62,990 ($65,300) for the Passat. Prices include the 19% value-added tax (VAT).

The higher output makes the trio better at towing: The Tiguan and Passat can haul up to 4,850 lbs (2,200 kg), while the Tayron is rated at a maximum of 5,511 lbs (2,500 kg). Diesel engines are still available in all three vehicles, but the once-prevalent TDI has fallen out of favor after the messy Dieselgate. Official numbers published by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) show that the diesel engine’s market share in the EU+EFTA+UK region fell to just 10.4% last year.

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VW stopped selling the Passat in the United States several years ago, so Americans are missing out on the latest, wagon-only generation. The US also doesn’t get the Tayron, although the Tiguan sold on this side of the pond is essentially the same vehicle. You’ll have to settle for far less power since the EA888 engine is rated at 201 hp in the US-spec 2025 Tiguan. By the way, this lesser iteration of the 2.0 TSI is also now available for the two European SUVs.