2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

In 2022, Volkswagen updated the Tiguan with a refreshed design, though it retained its creased, folded, and symmetrical aesthetics, staying true to VW’s conservative design philosophy. This year's improvements included new front styling that better aligned with the brand’s larger Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport models, featuring a restyled grille carrying the new VW logo along with an optional illuminated grille bar. The 2022 Tiguan also came standard with LED headlights and redesigned aluminum wheels. It featured S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims with FWD or AWD options, priced between $25,995 and $36,995, plus a destination charge of $1,195.

The 2022 SEL R-Line model, in particular, stood out with sportier aesthetics, including the SE R-Line Black’s trendy blacked-out appearance. The Atlantic Blue Metallic paint option, paired with machined-surface 18-inch alloy wheels, enhanced its visual appeal. Inside, the 2022 Tiguan SEL R-Line boasted a richer cabin replete with perforated and piped leather upholstery, new tech, touch-sensing steering wheel and climate controls, and ambient lighting with 15 color choices. However, hard plastic in the lower cabin areas maintained its mass-market status.

In contrast, the 2021 Tiguan adhered to its clean lines and balanced proportions, epitomizing conservative, upscale, and timeless design. It boasted a larger size for its class and offered a long-wheelbase version, comparable in interior volume to midsize SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento.

The 2021 model provided a roomy interior for up to seven passengers, with the third-row optional in AWD models. The 2021 Tiguan's interior combined modern geometric forms with a no-nonsense layout, although its hard plastics and less sturdy steering wheel stalks detracted from its upscale aspiration. Trim levels for the 2021 Tiguan included S, SE, and SEL, with a sportier R-Line available in SE R-Line Black and SEL Premium R-Line, priced between $25,245 and $39,095 plus a destination charge.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan didn’t see any substantial powertrain changes. It continued to be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,900 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the front wheels, with an optional 4Motion AWD system which could send up to 50% of the power to the rear wheels.

The 2022 Tiguan featured various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and programmable Individual. For models with 4Motion, there were additional Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings. Despite its 7.6 inches of ground clearance and Hill Descent Control, the Tiguan was best suited for well-traveled paths. The variable assist steering and independent rear suspension contributed to a comfortable ride, although turbo lag was noted during acceleration, necessitating extra space when turning onto busy roads.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan shared the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 184 horsepower at 4,360 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm. It also utilized an eight-speed automatic transmission with standard FWD and optional 4Motion AWD, which was standard on the SEL Premium R-Line.

Though this powertrain was adequate, it also suffered from turbo lag, and the roughly 4,000-pound curb weight made the engine feel breathless during passing maneuvers. The EPA rated the 2021 Tiguan at 25 mpg combined for FWD models and 24 mpg for AWD, with our AWD model averaging 22.6 mpg in real-world testing. The 2021 Tiguan excelled in light steering, responsive handling, and a ride suitable for urban and suburban environments, though it faltered over speed bumps and sharp road imperfections.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out in the compact crossover segment with its spacious interior, almost comparable to midsize SUVs like the Chevrolet Blazer and Hyundai Santa Fe. Models with FWD featured a standard third-row seat, while AWD models did not. The front seats in the SEL R-Line, wrapped in leather with eight-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation, provided exceptional comfort. The tall driving position and excellent visibility, enhanced by a panoramic sunroof, added to its appeal.

The second row offered ample space for adults, making it suitable for families. Our SEL R-Line test vehicle included rear AC vents, a USB charging port, and decent storage. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard proved to be a mixed bag. The touch-sensing controls were less intuitive and could be distracting.

Cargo capacity in the 2022 model was generous, with 12 cubic feet behind the third-row seat in FWD models, 33 cubic feet with it folded, and 65.5 cubic feet in maximum configuration. With AWD, the Tiguan provided 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 73.4 cubic feet of total storage space.

The 2021 Tiguan also prioritized comfort and accessibility. It featured large doors, tall seating positions, and wide-range adjustments for front seats to ensure comfort and visibility. V-Tex leatherette upholstery and dual-zone climate control contributed to a pleasant cabin experience. The back seat offered excellent legroom and foot space, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for added convenience.

The 2021 model's 40/20/40-split folding rear seat enhanced its practicality, allowing for the transportation of long items and passengers simultaneously. Cargo volumes ranged from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, depending on the third-row seat configuration, and 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet in maximum mode.

In 2022, Volkswagen made digital instrumentation standard across all Tiguan trims, dubbing it Digital Cockpit. The SEL R-Line received a more advanced Digital Cockpit Pro with a 10.25-inch display. The MIB3 infotainment system, available in all but the base S trim, featured an 8-inch touchscreen, standard Car-Net connected services, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The SEL R-Line also included a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system and an upgraded navigation system.

While the MIB3 introduced natural voice recognition, it required a $9 annual Plus Speech subscription and an active Car-Net Hotspot plan to function effectively, which was unavailable during testing. Without it, smartphone integration through Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, or MirrorLink remained the best option. Remote Access via Car-Net was free for five years, enabling remote engine starts, door lock operations, location tracking, and setting Family Guardian alerts.

The 2021 Tiguan made the MIB3 system available starting with the SE trim. This system included an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi for up to four devices, SiriusXM 360L, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Car-Net connected services provided comprehensive features such as remote engine starting and automatic crash notification. However, voice recognition was subpar, and the six-speaker sound system failed to deliver quality bass reproduction. The SEL Premium R-Line included a superior nine-speaker Fender premium audio system.

Both the SEL and SEL Premium R-Line in 2021 came with Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation, prioritizing an understated technology display approach.

In 2022, the Tiguan received several safety enhancements. Front Assist and Side Assist became standard on the Tiguan S. The IQ Drive system also saw improvements with Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance, operational above 40 mph. The touch controls for Travel Assist, though sophisticated in appearance, could be challenging to engage. The Emergency Assist feature slowed and safely stopped the vehicle if the driver became unresponsive while Travel Assist was active.

The 2021 Tiguan had the IQ Drive system standard, including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SE trim added adaptive cruise control, with lane departure warning and lane keep assist available from the SEL trim. The SEL Premium R-Line included automatic high-beam headlights and front and rear parking sensors. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems performed well but had some recognition and responsiveness issues.

The 2021 model received a top safety pick rating from the IIHS for SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims, thanks to its high-performing LED headlights. The 2022 model aimed to improve this score with standard LED headlights and upgraded driver aids.