2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Road Test and Review

2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line ・ Photo by Volkswagen

Volkswagen was a bit late to the crossover party, but the Volkswagen Tiguan compact SUV has become a favorite of vehicle testers and the general public alike. For the 2022 model year, it has revised front-end styling and added equipment that make it an even better value. It is one of just a tiny handful of compact SUVs that offer three rows of seating, and that alone is a reason to consider it. But the Tiguan has a lot of other positives to offer — its well-tailored European styling, its straightforward instruments and controls, and its precise handling. With 4Motion all-wheel-drive, the Tiguan is good to go in any weather, and even its front-drive versions have satisfying road manners. For a young family, the Volkswagen Tiguan can be a faithful companion for years to come.

Exterior Design

The restyling of the Tiguan for the 2022 model year is subtle, aligning with the way Europeans treat mid-cycle changes. A little means a lot to them. And the fact the changes are mild is beneficial to resale value, something the Tiguan excels in. The biggest change in the exterior is to the Tiguan’s front end. It borrows heavily from the larger Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport models. The low-slung bumper is accompanied by a wide grille that showcases Volkswagen’s redesigned logo. The redesigned LED headlights are now standard on every Tiguan, and in some trims, a line of illumination (a light line) extends across the grille. The roof rails are black on some trims and silver-chrome on others, and the lettering of the model name running across the tail is also new. The Tiguan also gets new wheel designs and new exterior colors.

Photo by Volkswagen

Powertrains

For a compact SUV, car buyers want an engine that is economical, rugged, and delivers enough power to haul both people and their gear. The Tiguan’s engine fits the bill nicely. It has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 184 horsepower and a stout 221 lb-ft of torque. Peak torque is available from 1,900 rpm through the mid-range of the rpm band, and that offers good flexibility. You can amaze your friends by telling them it incorporates a modified version of the Miller cycle called the Budack cycle for improved combustion efficiency. Tiguans are equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission that works well in concert with the engine. Some competitive SUVs now offer considerably more horsepower, but the Tiguan’s engine is more than sufficient for most buyers.

Photo by Volkswagen

Driving Impressions

While the Tiguan won’t be confused with a sports sedan, it offers confident handling and communicative steering. Brakes are sure and true, and the compact SUV is filled with advanced safety equipment. Even the three-row models deliver a nice level of fun to drive. A start/stop system is standard for all Tiguans, and it is intended to help improve fuel efficiency. Happily, it is pretty unobtrusive. All Tiguan models offer Driving Mode Selection, and its four modes are Normal, Sport, Eco, and Individual. Each mode changes settings for things like throttle response and steering weight. Additionally, all Tiguan models with 4Motion all-wheel drive have Active Control, which allows the driver to select Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings to suit the driving conditions. While the number of choices might be overwhelming, the overall driving experience is very good.

Photo by Volkswagen

Interior Design

The Tiguan continues the recent Volkswagen tradition of delivering straightforward, buttoned-up interiors that hint at European luxury. The VW SUV has one of the most accommodating interiors in the segment. It can transport a family of up to seven as long as the third-row passengers are children. There is plenty of headroom and legroom for adults in the second-row bench seat. While the third row can answer a need not met by many compact SUVs, the five-passenger version also has a lot to recommend it. Big news for 2022 is that the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit system is now standard on all Tiguan models. S, SE, and SE R-Line Black models feature an 8-inch display. SEL R-Line models upgrade to a 10.25-inch fully configurable Digital Cockpit Pro with three views including full-screen navigation for equipped models and 21 viewing options. Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard on all Tiguans of SE trim and above.

Photo by Volkswagen

Infotainment & Technology

All 2022 VW Tiguans have Volkswagen MIB infotainment systems. The base S trim has MIB2 with a 6.5-inch touchscreen interface. All other trims have the third-generation MIB3 with an 8.0-inch glass-faced display. The system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and it features the SiriusXM with the 360L entertainment platform. The MIB systems have wireless app-connect that allows more than one smartphone to be paired with them. Mid-level Tiguan SE and SE R-Line Black trims have the Composition Media unit, while SEL and SEL Premium R-Line models have the Discover Media system with navigation. They feature Bluetooth, HD radio, and SiriusXM radio. Consumers who opt for a Car-Net hotspot subscription and Plus Nav package can access updated maps with real-time traffic and road construction info.

Photo by Volkswagen

Safety & Driver Aids

Most SUV buyers seek safety, and the Tiguan offers both active and passive safety equipment. The IQ.DRIVE system is available on S trim as a package and is standard on SE models and up. Among the available active safety and driver-assist features are blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assist, park distance control, and automatic high beams. Front-collision warning is standard on all Tiguans, and forward collision warning with automatic braking, pedestrian, and cyclist detection is available. Adaptive cruise control is standard on SE trims and above. Lane-keeping assist is standard on all but the S trim. In addition to IQ.DRIVE, park distance control, steering assist for parking, road sign recognition, high-beam headlight assist, and surround-view camera system are available.

Photo by Volkswagen

Fuel Economy

The Volkswagen Tiguan trails some of its key competitors in fuel economy, but it is larger than many of them and offers a three-row version. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a front-drive Tiguan with the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivers an estimated 22 mpg during city driving and 29 mpg on the highway. With all-wheel drive, that drops to 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. The 4Motion all-wheel-drive Tiguan has a larger fuel tank, so the overall range is about the same in both at nearly 400 miles. In comparison, a conventional front-drive Toyota RAV4 is EPA-rated at 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. Another very popular compact SUV, the Honda CR-V, is rated at 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.

Photo by Volkswagen

Cargo-Carrying Ability

The availability of seven-passenger seating expands the Tiguan’s versatility by a big percentage. On the other hand, if you don’t care about third-row seating, the five-passenger Tiguan will help you haul more stuff. The five-passenger Volkswagen Tiguan has 37.6 cubic feet of luggage space behind the second (back) row, while the seven-passenger Tiguan offers 12.0 cubic feet behind its third-row seat. With the rear seat folded down in the five-passenger version, the maximum cargo space in the Tiguan is 73.5 cubic feet. Those stats compare well to the Toyota RAV4 and many others in this very popular segment. And compact SUVs are getting bigger with each new generation.

Photo by Volkswagen

Trim Levels

In an effort to make ordering and organizing inventory simpler, VW dropped a trim level this year. The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan is available in four trim levels—S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line. In front-wheel-drive Tiguans, three rows of seats are standard with a 50/50 split third row that folds down for extra cargo space. With 4Motion all-wheel drive, 2022 Tiguans have two rows as standard with a 40/20/40 split-folding rear bench. All 2022 Tiguan models are equipped with the 8-inch Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, while a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro is available on the top trim. Standard features include LED headlights and taillights, keyless entry with push-button start, heated front seats, multiple driving modes, and Car-Net with Wi-Fi capability.

Photo by Volkswagen

Pricing & Value

The Volkswagen Tiguan has a number of key positives — handsome Euro-influenced exterior design, the availability of three rows, and excellent driving manners. Its MIB infotainment systems work well but require a short learning curve. Those seeking a hybrid powertrain or a high-performance version will have to shop elsewhere. But in the meat of the compact SUV segment, the Volkswagen Tiguan provides excellent value. And if you seek a three-row compact crossover, the Tiguan is one of just a few games in town. The starting MSRP for the base S version of the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan is $25,995 for the front-wheel-drive model and $27,495 for the 4Motion all-wheel drive model. The destination charge is $1,195 for all Tiguan models. A mid-line SEL could cost about $35,000. The Tiguan offers great choices at a good value.

Photo by Volkswagen