What we know!

VW has made the plan to feature two vehicles with hybrid powertrains. First, a hybrid is coming for the U.S.’s ever-popular Tiguan, although a couple years off. In bridging that gap, though, VW used the New York auto show as a setting to unveil a performance version of that small SUV that will be added for the 2026 model year.

In addition to the Tiguan hybrid will be a hybrid version of the VW Atlas in roughly the same timeframe. That model is due in 2027, which is when the updated three-row SUV’s look will be debuted. A hybrid, however, is not expected at that launch.

For both of these hybrid powertrains, they aim to be found within what is considered “volume models,” hence the Tiguan and Atlas SUVs.

But while VW will have added electric motors to its top selling models by volume in North America, they will not be plug-in hybrids but conventional ones. This move also saves on weight and cost.

What is for certain is that Volkswagen wants to make hybrids as well as source batteries in North America.This is in spite of the fact that it would be faster to import them from Europe, where they are already offered. This also fills a void in that the brand has been without a gas-electric model in the United States since the departure of the Jetta Hybrid after the 2016 model year.

There is also some differing information in light of this news in that earlier this year, Arno Antlitz, CFO of the Volkswagen Group, said the brand aimed to bring the plug-in hybrid models to the U.S. as a way to bridge the gap to EVs, but during a roundtable interview at the New York auto show, Kjell Gruner, president and CEO of the Volkswagen Group of America, shared differently. To that end, while VW still plans to launch hybrid models in the U.S., Gruner stressed that they will be traditional, not the plug-in type.

“We believe for this market, with the consumer here, that full hybrids are the right solution,” he said. He noted that the market is significantly bigger in this area.

Looking closer at the Atlas, it is currently built in Chattanooga, Tenn., while the Tiguan is assembled in Puebla, Mexico. In order, the Tiguan hybrid will likely come first since the brand is launching the nameplate’s third generation this year.

For the Atlas hybrid, its production is still a couple years out, with a next-gen Atlas on tap soon.

While the wait is on and a bit far out, two new hybrids in two years is well worth the anticipation! With these volume models, an all new opportunity has arisen. Poised to address a growing need among today’s motorists, two and two is on the horizon!