2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen’s Tiguan plays in a crowded space. For the 2022 model year, the German automaker injected some sparkle into its compact crossover, starting with a facelift that includes more modern headlights, a slimmer bumper and cleaner grille. In a sea of rivals sporting bulky accoutrements or just plain jane styling, the Tiguan offers a tad more sophistication that doesn’t disrupt its minimalist vibe. The Tiguan lettering on the rear—now centered and in all caps—complements the Arteon, Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport, ID.4 and all-new Taos subcompact crossover. 

Still in its second generation, the Tiguan is Volkswagen’s top seller, but the trio to beat in the segment is the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue. Buyers shopping in this segment also will consider other similarly-sized compact crossovers including the Subaru Forester, Ford Escape and Chevrolet Equinox. The Mitsubishi Outlander also draws wide interest. But the Tiguan’s distinct packaging and the 2022 refresh makes its character more compelling.

It’s still the only compact crossover with the ability to stuff a pair of kids in the wayback. Though Volkswagen eliminated the optional third row for models equipped with its 4Motion all-wheel driveline for 2022, the standard front-drive Tiguan can still be configured as a seven-passenger SUV. It’s ‘tweener sizing gives it a competitive edge in cargo-carrying capacity among compact crossovers and people-hauling ability among five-seater midsize SUVs. 

It also has an upscale interior. Volkswagen cleaned up the Tiguan lineup, eliminating the stripped down, base trim. The S model does still have cloth seats, but the other two mid-grade trims—SE and SE R-Line Black—all offer leatherette. The top SEL R-Line has leather seating. (Yes, there are now two R-Line variants.) Multiple color schemes are offered, including two cloth selections, as well as three options for what VW calls “décor”—essentially trim detailing sprinkled throughout like on door panels and the dash.

Fresh tech is also a consideration. All trims get an 8-inch digital cockpit behind the wheel and keyless entry. The standard 6.5-inch center touchscreen remains, but it’s now accompanied by two speedy USB-C ports. Seat heaters also are standard as are rain-sensing wipers and an auto-dimming rear mirror. Upgrading from the base yields a larger 8-inch screen, smart climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay and  Android Auto as well as wireless smartphone charging.

Standard safety tech includes the basics: forward-collision alert with automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assistance and rear cross-traffic alert. The well-rounded I.Q Driver suite of driver-assistance technology is standard on all the other trims and adds must-haves like adaptive cruise control. The top trim gets a few extras like automatic high beams and a 360-degree camera.

Performance: 13/15

All models are powered by the same turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine paired that delivers 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. It’s a newer version of the same powertrain used by the outgoing model. An eight-speed transmission and front-wheel drive are standard, and Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive is an optional upgrade on all trims but the top SEL R-Line, which is only offered in AWD. 

Both drivelines have four modes: Normal, Sport, Eco and Individual. Sport feels the most confident and planted, and therefore fun to drive. Eco optimizes for efficiency and even taps into the climate settings. It’s not as spirited, but it’s smart for those that prioritize fuel economy.

The revised powerplant is peppy and fun to drive. It no longer feels sluggish, especially considering its weight, and acceleration is easy to access (even in Eco). While proficient, Toyota’s RAV4 can feel gutless on ascents and even on freeway on-ramps. Honda’s CR-V is punchier but is still a little staid and not as capable in the snow. The Rogue is somewhere in between the RAV4 and CR-V. Road noise at highway speeds is less of a problem in the Tiguan compared with each of the trio, especially the RAV4.

Fuel Economy: 7/15

While fuel economy improved slightly over the 2021 Tiguan, it’s still low for the class. Front-wheel models are rated by the EPA to achieve 23 mpg in city driving, 30 mpg on the highway and 26 mpg combined. S and SE models with 4Motion lose 1 mpg in each category. 

The Tiguan sits at the bottom of the pack amidst the RAV4, Rogue and CR-V in terms of fuel economy. Buyers that prioritize mpgs over carrying capacity should consider the RAV4 hybrid (or the thriftier RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid) or the CR-V hybrid. It’s worth noting that the Tiguan is one of the longest and heaviest compact crossovers, and is closer in size to the Mitsubishi Outlander, which also offers a third row, as well as the Kia Sorento, a midsize SUV of the small end of the spectrum.

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 12/15

Standard safety tech includes forward-collision alert with automatic emergency braking (called Front Assist), blind spot monitoring (Side Assist) and rear cross-traffic alert. Buyers of the base S can add the I.Q Driver suite of driver-assistance technology for under $1,000. The safety bundle comes standard on all the other trims and includes an exhaustive list of features, including active blind spot monitor with rear traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop and go capability lane keeping assistance, Travel Assist (a combination of adaptive cruise and lane keeping) and Emergency Assist, which brings the car to a stop if the car can’t summon a response from the driver after several warnings.

The top trim gets a few extras like automatic high beams, parking assistance, road sign recognition and a 360-degree camera. The Tiguan hasn’t yet been fully evaluated by NHTSA, but it was updated to a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS in August. Since the Tiguan is a global model, it has been rated by Euro NCAP, Europe’s crash-test authority, which gave it five-stars overall.

Comfort & Room: 15/15

Tiguans with 4Motion can’t be optioned with the third row, leaving more space in the rear for passengers. Rear-wheel drive models only have 36.6 inches of legroom and AWD has 38.7. Both reserve 40.2 inches of legroom for the front seat. The third row is a tight 27.9 inches, but it’s a kid-sized asset that will benefit parents that want to separate siblings or use it for carpooling. 

All the seats in the house are comfortable, but for the third row if you’re a taller adult. Although in a pinch it would make suitable transport for adults on night out. Seat heaters in the front are standard; the top trim adds a heated steering wheel and front-seat ventilation. The more wipeable leatherette seating surfaces (and leather in the top trim) are better for kids, pets and sports, but the VW’s cloths seats are notably durable. 

The RAV4, Rogue and Tiguan all have comparable legroom. RAV4’s second-row is the tightest of the three with 37.8 inches of legroom (still slightly more than RWD Tiguans). The Rogue has the most front-seat legroom (43.3 inches), which slightly compromises rear seat space (38.5 inches). The CR-V divides space evenly between the front (41.3 inches) and rear (40.4 inches). When comparing the Outlander’s third row to the Tiguan’s, it’s noticeably snugger with 18.7 inches of legroom; front and second rows have about the same leg space as the Tiguan.

Infotainment: 10/15

The base Tiguan S comes with a small 6-inch touchscreen that runs Volkswagen’s MIB infotainment system as well as wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Upgrading to the SE gets a larger 8-inch touchscreen loaded with VW’s third-generation modular infotainment matric, or MIB3. It also adds wireless connectivity and charging for smartphones and two extra USB-C ports (the base only has two). The top SEL R-Line gets embedded navigation.

An 8-inch digital information display behind the wheel is standard and (like many others) offers customizable settings and two views. The SEL R-Line’s display is 10.25 inches and has a third view that incorporates navigation. The SE R-Line black gets 15-color ambient lighting, a fun feature on par with many offerings in the premium segment that adds a more bespoke feel to the interior.

All models have Fender premium audio with six speakers except for the SEL R-Line, which gets nine speakers. The sound is crisp and clear from any seat in the cabin, and the Fender badging on the speakers is a nice touch for those who value the American brand.

Cargo Space & Storage: 13/15

One benefit of the Tiguan’s longer length (185.1 inches) is its cargo carrying capacity, especially in the AWD models that can’t be optioned with a third row. These models offer 37.6 cubic-feet of stowage behind the second row and 73.4 cubic-feet with the 60/40-splitting seatbacks folded flat. Way-back cargo space is a scant 12 cubic-feet, but buyers that need to use cargo space and the third row at the same time daily should consider the three-row Atlas, which is configured for a larger family and sits at the top of the midsize SUV class in terms of both passenger and cargo space. 

Of the competitive trio, the Rogue and the CR-V have the most cargo space behind the second row: a smidge over 39 cubic-feet. The RAV4 has the same amount as the AWD Tiguan: 37.6 cubic-feet. The Outlander only offers 11.7 cubic-feet behind its third row, which expands to an non-competitive 33.5 with the seatbacks folded flat.

Style & Design: 9/10

The new Tiguan’s styling is much more Atlas and less Jetta. Its new front fascia gives it a sleeker look that will attract buyers seeking more upscale packaging without having to upgrade to a premium brand. The interior is well done; only the base model has cloth so buyers will have to sacrifice little in terms of cost to get leatherette or leather. The infotainments display is clean and intuitive and the new steering wheel feel very sporty.

There are two R-Line models: one sits mid-grade and offers the black-on-black look and one at the top that is more chrome oriented. Fans of Volkswagen will like the more bespoke options, especially when the interior offers a second accent color that contrasts decorate the door panels and part of the dash. 

The third row can no longer be paired with models equipped with 4Motion, which reserves the top-end, AWD-only SEL R-Line for singles, couples or growing families. The other three trims in front-drive form get the wayback seating option, a rare proposition in such a compact vehicle.

Is the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Worth it? Which Tiguan is the Best Value?

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan offers a compelling package for buyers that prefer understated styling and clean, minimalist looks. While the base S ($27,190, including a $1,195 delivery fee) is well-appointed and comes with a handful of standard safety tech, upgrading to the SE ($30,690) elevates the experience by adding leatherette seats, a larger 8-inch touchscreen with VW’s newest MIB3 platform as well as the full I.Q Drive suite of safety features. The mid-grade SEL R Line Black (front-wheel drive) is the right choice for buyers that want a mix of distinct, on-trend looks and creature comforts for only $2,800 over the regular SEL (it’s $6,300 over the base S). 

All-wheel drive is a $1,500 upgrade on S, SEL and SEL R-line Black and is worth it for buyers that live in seasonal regions and don’t need the third row. Adding AWD is a no brainer if the third row is not a purchase consideration. The third row is a useful for those that only want to use it on occasion; if both third-row seating and usable cargo space are must-haves, then consider upgrading to the larger Atlas.

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan?

The Tiguan isn’t an expensive car to insure. According to our data, a typical 30-year-old female driver with clean record can expect an average annual premium of $1,641, though this averages all 50 states. That compares to $1,678 for the Toyota RAV4, $1,733 for the Nissan Rogue and $1,606 for the Honda CR-V. To get a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, visit our car insurance calculator.