2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 VW Tiguan SE R-Line Black trim in an AWD configuration would be the best option at an MSRP of $35,645. This one to be further equipped with the larger 10-inch infotainment unit would be a better setup. The R-Line Black comes with distinctive, stealthy styling and standout design elements. The R-Line Black gets the larger 19-inch wheels as standard along with other luxury features already equipped in the SE trim along with a panoramic sunroof and other features. 

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan is available for sale in the same 4 trim configurations as before with the price ranging between $27,685 for the base S trim and $38,515 for the top-end Tiguan SEL R-Line including the $1,195 destination fee. All the trims get an option for the 4Motion AWD drivetrain for an additional charge of $1,500 apart from the SEL R-Line model, which gets it as standard. 

There is no other option available in terms of engine and transmission and the third-row seats are also available as an optional add-on for all the trims. The base S trim is although fairly basic but now gets more standard features which include the heated front seats and the digital gauge cluster. That said, most of the premium features are limited to the top-of-the-line SEL R-Line trim. 

The expansive list of driver assistance features have now been made standard from SE trim onwards, which justifies the steep hike in its price. The higher models get plenty of interior creature comforts that offer a premium experience inside the cabin. 

The 2022 model year will use the same engine as the 2021 model year- a turbocharged inline-4 capable of putting down184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic and power can either be delivered to the front wheels, or all wheels using Volkswagen’s 4Motion AWD. This transmission is smooth with the shifts, but far from being the best. Although the Tiguan might not be the most agile SUV, its driving characteristics have made a name for itself.

The SUV has average handling, a pretty good grip on the road with the 4Motion AWD equipped, and can flow smoothly. The engine and the transmission complement each other quite well with the smooth shifts. The steering is responsive while the body roll is not controlled well, though it is not too much. If equipped, the 4Motion AWD keeps the car gripped on the road firmly. The suspension also offers a pretty comfortable ride for the occupants.

Since the engine is similar to last year, we expect it to complete the 0-60 MPH sprint in around 9.1 seconds and reach the quarter-mile in 16.9 seconds. It is slightly sluggish and lacks power when needed, but it still gets the job done. For normal city driving, the powertrain will suffice and even for attaining reasonable cruise speeds on the highway also it is sufficient. The 1,500 lbs towing capacity is also just on par with the segment standards. 

All the SUVs are pretty matched for power and none of them are monsters. The RAV4 does away with the most power and it is also quick off the mark, while the CR-V really struggles a lot due to the lower torque output. The CR-V is also the only one with a CVT. The Mazda on the other hand is the quickest and the most agile SUV here. While both the Honda and Toyota are more comfortable, they are also priced higher than most of their rivals. 

With no changes made to the powertrain of the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, the fuel economy figures remain constant too. The Tiguan SUV is rated to offer 23 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway, and combined, it will do 26 MPG. Although it is not the most frugal of the lot, the larger 15.3-gallon fuel tank does bring its driving range on par with the standards at 398 miles combined. 

The VW and the CX-5 are both below par when it comes to fuel economy and hence also feature larger gas tanks to compensate for the range. The CR-V and RAV4 both offer an excellent fuel economy of 30 MPG combined. Both the of them also do well in terms of driving range and since Toyota employs a larger fuel tank than the CR-V, it also offers the longest driving range in the segment. 

Most of the changes inside the interior of the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan are characterized by a lot of new tech upgrades. The color contrast and the design is quite attractive. All the trims are welcome with a digital instrument cluster and all the trims other than the base trim get touch-sensitive climate controls. The interior is available in color tones including Saffrano and Black, Storm Grey, and Titan Black. The seats come in cloth trim as standard, but an upgrade to faux leather is inevitable when you upgrade the trim level.

The seats are quite comfy, and the highest trim gets a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support. There's a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel on offer. The front and second rows have good seating space. The German SUV can also be equipped with a third row as an option, but it would be quite tight. You get 12 cubic feet of cargo storage if you opt for a third row, but you are greeted with 33.0 cubic feet of cargo storage with the third row down. With the second row folded, that expands to 65.3 cubic feet of cargo storage. Suffice to say, the Tiguan 2022 is pretty spacious.

The Tiguan is the only one that comes with a third row but it is best suited only for young kids. The rear row spacing is decent in all of the four SUVs, but the CX-5 offers the least cargo spacing when compared to the others. In the case of interior space and interior quality, the Tiguan is a capable contender but it is the CR-V that feels more spacious and pretty comfortable for most parts. The Tiguan comes equipped with a MIB3 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the base trim which upgrades to a bigger 8-inch unit on the higher trims. 

A 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster is also available but as standard, the lower trims get an 8-inch digital gauge cluster. All models, except the base trim, come with a Climatronic Touch interface, which includes all touch controls for the climate. The system is responsive and intuitive and feels pretty modern. There is also a long list of features, including App-Connect (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, wireless charger, Bluetooth, SiriusXM Radio, etc. Wireless App-Connect is also available for compatible devices. The higher trims can also be equipped with a 400W premium Fender audio system with a subwoofer.

• 10-way power driver's seat including power-adjustable lumbar support with 3-position memory function
• Climatronic dual-zone automatic climate control with 2nd-row air vent
• Heated front seats w/Vienna leather seating surfaces (top trim)
• Interior ambient lighting
• Leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel
• Discover Media touchscreen navigation system with 8-inch color display
• 10.3-inch digital cluster
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Climatronic Touch dual-zone climate controls
• 9-speaker 400W Fender Premium Audio System
• SiriusXM with 360L with a 3-month trial subscription

With the upgraded front fascia, the overall design of the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan looks sharp, more elegant, and statelier. VW tried to instill a bit of sportiness and athleticism into the design. The front fascia has new LED headlights with sharp edges and curves. A LED light bar on the grille is also available as an option which makes it look futuristic. Color options available with the 2022 Tiguan would include Atlantic Blue Metallic, Deep Black Pearl, Platinum Gray Metallic, and Pyrite Silver Metallic along with Pure White.

The bumper sees bigger vents with more aggressive styling. Higher trims are also equipped with a distinct bumper and side sills. The sides look big and bold, with a strong line passing along the side all the way to the rear taillights. The taillights will feel familiar, with the same shape and design. Quad tip exhausts finish the sporty look. The highest trim rides on 20-inch two-toned machined alloy wheels, while the base trim rides on 17-inch alloys. The 7.4-inch ground clearance could have been better and at 3,765 lbs, it is also one of the heavier crossovers of the segment. 

The VW comes with the long-wheelbase option as standard in the US to accommodate the optional third row. Therefore the 2022 Tiguan is also the longest, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it is the heaviest. However, all that heft and size takes a toll on the handling of the Tiguan while increasing the interior space. The Toyota RAV4 offers the highest stance and can take on a rough terain, while the other three are best suited for the tarmac. Few exterior features include-

• Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS)
• Power tilting/sliding panoramic sunroof
• Fog Lights with low-speed corner-illuminating feature
• 17" Corvara Winter Wheels in Brilliant Silver
• 19" Gloss Black Wheels
• 20" Kapstadt Wheels in Galvano Grey

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan comes as standard with a set of advanced safety features including Electronic Stability Control, Anti-Slip Regulation, Electronic Differential Lock, and Engine Brake Assist along with Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist) apart from the driver safety aids. 

The 2021 Tiguan has received the "Top Safety Pick" award from IIHS and gets a 'Good' rating for almost all aspects for the 2022 model year. The NHTSA is yet to test the SUV in recent times, but it should do well whenever it goes under crash testing. The following are the prominent safety features equipped in the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan-

• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• Blind Spot Monitor (Side Assist)
• Lane Assist
• Rear Traffic Alert
• Area View
• Front Assist
• Light Assist
• Park Distance Control with Maneuver Braking

2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Honda CR-V

While both the Tiguan and CR-V have similar 0-60 MPH timings, the Honda offers a more comfortable ride while the VW is a marginally better handler. No doubt the Honda is also more frugal and is more spacious in the front two rows, but Tiguan gets an option for a third row. The Tiguan has plenty of tech on offer but the higher reliability and resale of the CR-V more than make up for the marginally higher price tag. 

2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Mazda CX-5

The CX-5 is a much more entertaining SUV to drive. It is quicker off the mark and has quicker acceleration timings. Both return similar MPG ratings and have an equally well-built cabin, but the VW offers more gadgets on the higher trims. The CX-5 is quite a looker as well while the Tiguan is more practical. Therefore, it really depends on what you need. If performance is your major need from your crossover, Mazda is the way to go. 

2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 offers a great overall package to its buyers. Not only does it offer strong acceleration performance, and it can also handle a bit of rough terrain rather well. Toyota is also more fuel-efficient, is more spacious for the front row two rows, and is more reliable in the long run as well. Therefore unless you are on a tight budget and have to have the third row of seats, the 2022 RAV4 is the clear way to go. 

The new 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan is loaded with tons of new tech features, so for someone who is a geek, the Tiguan would be the perfect affordable SUV. It is also your only option if you want a three-row SUV at this price range. The looks are also sleek while the handling is not the best or even above average. The powertrain would also be a letdown as it is underpowered and not as responsive as many rivals. If you can look past that and space is your number one consideration then and then only the Tiguan 2022 is a good option for you.