Used 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan compact SUV/crossover has received an upgrade. It’s sharper looking, with an arguably more refined appearance. Although it retains the same chassis and powertrain as before, the interior and technology have been improved.

As in previous years, the Tiguan (whose second generation debuted for 2018) continues to be a spacious compact crossover, with a decent array of driver assistance features and safety technology available. It remains one of the few in its class to offer a third-row seat.

This extra seating in a compact crossover is naturally a little tight (despite the United States receiving only the long-wheelbase version of the Tiguan), but it’s fine for the occasional short run when carrying a couple of extra youngsters. Every front-wheel-drive version of the new VW Tiguan has this as standard. When all-wheel drive is in the mix, that means just two rows of seating. Cargo capacity expands as a result.

Volkswagen builds the Tiguan at four plants around the world. The ones sold in the U.S. are from the company’s factory in Puebla, Mexico.

Climbing into the driver’s seat, it’s easy to see why the Tiguan is one of VW’s best-sellers. From this raised driving position, outward vision is good. It’s enhanced by standard-issue driver aids like forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, plus blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and reverse automatic braking.

It’s a pleasure to see and use a traditional shifter, instead of the buttons that are being introduced more frequently in new vehicles. Clicked into Drive and on the move, the VW Tiguan’s quiet cabin and comfortable ride quality (even with the bigger wheels) form the first impressions.

Although other parts of the 2022 Tiguan have been updated, the engine remains the same. It’s a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit, deployed in many VW cars and crossovers. In this case, it makes 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque.

Putting these abstract numbers into real-life context, they add up to a decent amount of punch. Especially when accelerating from low speeds, such as moving away on a green light or pressing the throttle to achieve greater momentum on uphill stretches.

So far, so nice. If this is all a family requires of their compact crossover — the ability to run everyday errands and handle road trips in comfort — then a new Tiguan could be a good choice. However, once the passengers have been dropped off at school or soccer practice or whatever, this isn’t the ride for some solo driving fun.

Flooring the throttle doesn’t result in much more than extra engine noise, which begins to sound coarse at high revs. Most of the thrust has already been delivered in the lower reaches of that sweet spot where an engine is really on song.

Nor is there much feel to the steering. It’s light and easy for parking and such, but it’s hard to tell what the front wheels are up to when driving through corners. The brake pedal is similarly vague. And that refined suspension cares more about comfort than keeping body lean to a minimum.

All-wheel drive is available, which is great to have in winter. But keep in mind that this feature cannot be paired with the Tiguan’s optional third seating row.

On a more positive note, the lane-keeping assistance system isn’t too pedantic. It allows a wheel to touch a lane marking yet still “knows” the driver’s intended line and won’t kick in at the slightest deviation.

One little hint. The tailgate is on the heavy side. It’s a powered version from the SE level and up, so try to stretch the budget if possible.

VW interiors are among our favorites, thanks to their top-quality design and first-rate materials. Highlights of the new Tiguan interior include the new 8-inch or 10-inch digital gauge package, the latest MIB3 infotainment system, large infotainment touchscreen, and 15-color ambient interior lighting. There are, however, still some cheaper hard plastics on either side of the center console and forming the door pockets.

In contrast to European models, the U.S.-spec Tiguan gets a volume knob instead of a slider. Although the temperature and fan speed controls of the climate control system are also sliders in U.S. models, they’re set into recessed wells to help drivers find them by feel without looking away from the road.

All 2022 Tiguans have a roomy second row. A 6-footer can sit comfortably behind someone who has moved the front seat all the way back. The second-row seat, which splits 40/20/40 and folds flat, can slide forward or back by about 6 inches, allowing the choice of prioritizing cargo space over legroom or vice versa.

Tiguan S models come with a cloth interior in black or gray. SE and SE R-Line versions have simulated leatherette surfaces in black, gray, or cinnamon. The Tiguan SEL R-Line’s real leather upholstery comes in black, gray, or noisette — a new light brown.

Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard at the SE level. It understands voice commands. Say something like: “Hey, Volkswagen, my feet are cold” and (in this instance) the system will send warm air into the foot wells.

Also in the 2022 VW Tiguan is a new steering wheel with touch sliders, plus the wireless Car-Net App-Connect system, and (in the top trim) a 480-watt Fender-branded stereo system.

With front-wheel drive and three seating rows, cargo space goes from 12 to 65.3 cubic feet. If Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive is installed, those numbers become 37.6 and 73.4 cubic feet. This means the Tiguan is about as roomy in back as a Honda CR-V or a Toyota RAV4, with noticeably more cargo area than a Mazda CX-5 (30.9 cubic feet) or Subaru Forester (30.1).

An all-new front bumper, broader radiator grille, and LED lights front and rear give the 2022 Tiguan a fresher and arguably more refined appearance than before. Alloy wheel designs, with sizes ranging from 17 to 20 inches in diameter, are also new. As is the blocky Tiguan lettering on the tailgate, located right below the new thin-font VW logo.

Those are pseudo exhaust outlets in the new Tiguan’s rear bumper. The real exhaust system, not visible, has a downturned pipe far back on the driver’s side of the underbody.

The SE R-Line Black — expected to be the most popular variant of the 2022 Tiguan lineup — has 19-inch alloy wheels, roof rails and a headliner all in… black.

VOLKSWAGEN DIGITAL COCKPIT
For 2022, a fully digital instrument cluster comes as standard in all new Tiguan variants. All but the top model have an 8-inch display,  the SEL R-Line comes with a 10-inch version. This digital cluster can display an analog-style speedometer and tachometer, plus maps and a variety of other readouts.

CAR-NET APP-CONNECT INFOTAINMENT
With wireless Car-Net App-Connect, standard on all 2022 VW Tiguans, you can access your favorite smartphone apps from the dash. It also displays maps, messages and music on the touchscreen for ease of use. The subscription-based Security & Service group adds capabilities like remote locking/unlocking and automatic crash notification.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard in the 2022 Tiguan, along with keyless entry/ignition, heated front seats, Wi-Fi, 8-inch digital driver display, touchscreen controls on the center stack, and a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen.

On the safety front, all 2022 Tiguan models have Front Assist (automatic emergency braking), Side Assist (blind-spot monitoring), and rear cross-traffic alert.

All-wheel drive (4Motion) is optional in all versions except the top SEL R-Line, which has it as standard.

The S is eligible for a self-dimming rearview mirror, rain-sensing wipers, and a steering wheel wrapped in simulated leather. It’s also offered with an IQ.Drive package ($895) bringing adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assistance, and active blind-spot assistance). These features are standard in the SE.

As well as simulated leather seating surfaces, the Tiguan SE also adds a powered liftgate, 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, wireless charging, and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen. The SE R-Line Black comes with a trim-specific/leather-wrapped steering wheel, plus 15-color ambient lighting, front/rear parking sensors, and a panoramic sunroof (this last item is optional in the SE).

The SEL R-Line has a 10-inch digital driver display, as well as leather upholstery, heated/ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, 360-degree camera system, Fender audio, road sign recognition, automatic high beams, and a self-parking system for parallel and perpendicular spaces.

There are no changes under the Tiguan’s hood for 2022. This VW compact crossover continues to be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The sole transmission is an 8-speed automatic.

Fuel economy has improved slightly this year. Some turbocharged engines require premium gasoline, but this one is fine with regular.

The 4Motion all-wheel-drive (AWD) system features a mechanical center differential and electronic differential locks. Selectable driving modes include On-Road, Snow, Off-Road, and Custom Off-Road. Within the On-Road mode are four additional settings: Normal, Sport, Eco, and Custom.

Maximum towing capacity is 1,500 pounds.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
184 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
221 lb-ft of torque @ 1,900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/30 mpg (FWD), 22/29 mpg (AWD), 21/28 mpg (AWD R-Line)