Did VW copy Grand Vitara?

Published On 6/4/2025, 12:06:21 pm Author Mohit Taneja

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line has sparked debates among car enthusiasts—does its rear design draw too much inspiration from the Suzuki Grand Vitara? While Volkswagen’s design language is distinct, certain elements at the back do share similarities with the Grand Vitara. Here’s a breakdown of how the Tiguan R-Line’s rear styling compares:

Thumbnail of Did VW copy Grand Vitara?

The tail light design is a crucial element of a car’s rear fascia, defining its character and recognition. In the case of the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line, the connected LED taillight layout feels strikingly similar to the Suzuki Grand Vitara—so much so that one might wonder if VW’s design team took a little inspiration from it. While this could simply be a coincidence (after all, many modern SUVs now feature full-width light bars), it’s hard to ignore how close the two look from certain angles. Did Volkswagen’s designers glance at the Grand Vitara while sketching the Tiguan? We may never know, but the resemblance is undeniable.

However, the similarities mostly end there. The Tiguan R-Line justifies its premium positioning with a more sophisticated execution—sharper detailing, gloss black accents, and R-Line badging. Meanwhile, the Grand Vitara keeps things simpler, focusing on affordability rather than high-end styling. So it could be a simple coincidence.

The Tiguan R-Line is expected to cost around ₹55-60 lakh (ex-showroom), while the Grand Vitara tops out at around ₹20 lakh. That’s nearly three times the price for what, at a quick glance, might seem like a similar rear-end design. tiguan r line

For some buyers, this could create an odd psychological effect—does spending so much more on the Tiguan feel like buying a "luxury Grand Vitara"? Volkswagen will need to emphasize its premium engineering, performance, and brand prestige to justify the massive price gap. After all, while the tail lights might share some DNA, the driving experience, interior luxury, and overall sophistication of the Tiguan R-Line are in a completely different league.

The Tiguan R-Line's Grand Vitara-like rear design creates a psychological barrier for premium buyers - when spending ₹55-60 lakh, customers want unmistakable exclusivity, not a resemblance to a ₹20 lakh SUV. This "cheaper twin" effect triggers subconscious value comparisons, making the Tiguan feel like an overpriced version rather than a truly distinctive luxury product, potentially driving buyers toward more visually unique German rivals like the BMW X1 or Audi Q3 that better justify their premium price tags through design originality.