A tech infusion upgrades the 2022 Tiguan, whereas sustaining the compact crossover’s spacious cabin. The refreshed 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan fights in essentially the most hotly contested automotive section proper now: compact SUVs. That places it up towards fashionable automobiles just like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Hyundai Tucson.
The Tiguan’s refresh for 2022 provides new styling in and out, in addition to know-how upgrades for all trim ranges. Volkswagen says the Tiguan’s dimensions and wheelbase are nearly an identical and that’s a very good factor; its spacious second row makes it nice for households. An out there third-row tucked into the cargo space is now provided on Tiguan fashions with front-wheel drive solely.
Whereas different SUVs are getting weirder, the Tiguan stays steadfast with its easy design. There’s one thing to be mentioned for zigging whereas the competitors zags. Within the case of the Tiguan, meaning it seems just about the identical after this refresh. Its easy styling and flat sides stand out towards the remainder of the sphere that appear to be jamming increasingly more angles and curves into their designs.
Although it might be known as boring, the Tiguan is good-looking in its personal manner. One outstanding crease runs down the facet of the physique and the massive and extensive doorways make it simpler to get out and in. The bumper and grille have been up to date and LED headlights at the moment are commonplace, with a brand new out there LED middle mild strip that makes the Tiguan look extra distinctive at evening. New alloy wheel designs vary from 17- to twenty inches. And within the rear, the “Tiguan” badge has moved to the middle and will get a font change that matches the remainder of the VW SUV lineup.
The Tiguan’s turbo-4 makes 184-hp and is joined to an 8-speed automated transmission. With AWD the Tiguan feels a bit extra full of life by way of second gear, although off-the-line velocity is unquestionably not among the many crossover’s strengths with both FWD or AWD. It takes a good period of time to get going, however as soon as transferring, the transmission and throttle appear to be extra responsive with well timed downshifts all by itself. Not one of the Tiguan’s trims supply paddle shifters.
Extra convincing than the Tiguan’s acceleration is its trip high quality. The softly sprung suspension ends in some physique roll within the corners, however that attribute additionally makes it snug and composed in on a regular basis driving. The steering continues to be too mild, however fortunately Volkswagen has added the power to alter drive modes (between Regular, Sport, and Customized) to FWD Tiguans as nicely for 2022. The customized setting can be utilized to show up the steering weight, whereas protecting the engine in a standard and extra environment friendly mapping.
The Tiguan’s estimated gasoline economic system of 23 mpg metropolis, 30 freeway, 26 mixed for FWD fashions is sufficient to earn a middling 5 out of 10 score. AWD fashions lag behind that, at 22/29/25 mpg and the R-Line AWD brings up the rear at 21/28/24 mpg. These figures put the Tiguan on roughly equal footing with a lot of the competitors (until we think about hybrid rivals), save from a automobile that’s purported to be on the identical staff. Volkswagen calls its new Taos a compact crossover as nicely and it tops out at 31 mixed mpg for FWD variants.
The refreshed Tiguan has not but been totally crash examined by the IIHS or the NHTSA, although the 2021 model of the Tiguan did earn a “Prime Security Choose” award from the IIHS. Base fashions come commonplace with automated emergency braking and blind-spot displays, with an out there IQ.Drive bundle that provides adaptive cruise management, lively lane management, and lively steering with the blind-pot displays. These options are all commonplace on the SE and above. Additionally provided are automated excessive beams, an automated parking system, encompass view digicam system, and highway signal recognition.
Inside, SE and above fashions use haptic local weather controls which can be more durable to make use of, however clear up the decrease a part of the middle console so it seems higher. An 8.0-inch digital cockpit show is commonplace with a extra customizable (and better decision) 10.0-inch show discovered within the SEL R-Line. To spruce issues up, the artificial leather-based within the SE trim is obtainable in a tan colour and the actual leather-based within the SEL R-Line is obtainable in black, gray, and brown.
The Tiguan’s giant again seat and ample cargo storage make it appropriate for household obligation. The Tiguan has all the time been on the bigger facet of the compact section, so massive in truth that VW thought it may slide one other compact crossover beneath it within the Taos. This measurement provides it massive benefits in again seat house and cargo room.
Backseat legroom is 36.6 inches for FWD fashions to create space for the optionally available third-row, or 38.7 inches for AWD fashions. Ignore the smaller determine for the FWD Tiguans; the backseat has a ton of each leg room and head room for adults. The third row, now for FWD fashions solely, is against this very small and solely applicable for kids on quick journeys.
Cargo quantity is 33.0 cubic ft behind the second row and expands to 65.3 cubic ft with the seats folded with FWD, and people figures broaden to 37.6 cubic ft and 73.4 cubic ft with AWD outfitted. Although much like the Toyota RAV4’s 37.5 cubic ft of cargo room, it’s barely smaller than each the Hyundai Tucson (38.7 cubic ft) and the Honda CR-V (39.2 cubic ft).
The 2022 Tiguan’s upgraded commonplace options give it stable worth. The bottom S begins at $27,190 and comes with a brand new 8.0-inch digital cockpit show, LED headlights and taillights, heated facet mirrors, a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, heated entrance seats, and the protection options talked about above. All of that for a worth that’s solely $750 greater than final yr’s mannequin.
Most people ought to go for the $30,690 SE, which is the preferred trim degree in line with VW. The SE will get the bigger 8.0-inch multimedia display screen with wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a wi-fi charging pad, energy tailgate, energy driver seat, and the IQ.Drive security bundle.
The SE-R Line Black prices $2,800 extra and options sporty exterior accents, ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and an R-Line steering wheel with extra contact controls positioned on both facet. These controls take some getting used to, particularly for setting the quantity.
The range-topping SEL R-Line comes totally loaded at $37,790 and provides 20-inch alloy wheels, leather-based upholstery, a heated steering wheel, and ventilated entrance seats. It’s additionally the one trim to characteristic the bigger 10-inch digital cockpit show that’s a lot greater decision and affords extra customization than the grainy smaller show.
When Volkswagen first launched the Tiguan, it was completely different from the get-go. It was the primary small crossover to have an ordinary turbo 4-cylinder, provided barely extra room, and was really enjoyable to drive. Since then, Volkswagen has continued to hone its recipe making the second-generation Tiguan higher in each manner. With the 2022 Tiguan, Volkswagen has continued to enhance the recipe with higher security tools and main know-how that each one contribute to nice worth.
