2022 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN TEST DRIVE

2022 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN TEST DRIVE BY CAR CRITIC STEVE HAMMES

2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line 4MOTION A little nip and tuck can work wonders – feeling like the German-chic, sportier small SUV choice with bountiful spaciousness to boot.

 

 

 

 

The 2018 model year was significant for VW here in the States.  That’s when they introduced the 1-2 punch of Atlas and this next-generation Tiguan that have quickly become the brand’s best-sellers with each of them individually outselling all of VW’s cars combined.  And now for the 2022 model year, the Tiguan has been refreshed with updated styling and broader availability of tech and safety features.

 

You know what you don’t see much of in this small SUV segment?  A 3^rd row of seating.  And you won’t find one in my Tiguan either…VW reserves it for the front-wheel drive model.  But here I have the top trim SEL R-Line which comes standard with 4MOTION all-wheel drive, priced at $37,790.  It’s incredibly easy to build this one as there are virtually no options and only 4 paint choices: white, black, blue and this charismatic gray.  If this lavishly equipped Tiguan is too rich for your blood, the base S trim starts at $10k less. 

And this R-Line looks sharp, sporting a new front end with redesigned LEDs and this cool light line that runs through the grille. 

 

 

 

 

Out back, the Tiguan name now lives more prominently below the VW logo.  And then you get the R-Line badges, specific bumpers, body-color side sills and newly designed 20” wheels.  It just goes to show that a little nip and tuck can work wonders in freshening one’s appearance.  

 

 

And then inside, this noisette leather looks very Audi-like  – and by the way I had to look it up; noisette means a small piece of lean meat.  New for 2022 are these touch-sensitive controls in the center stack which can also be summoned by voice commands triggered by simply saying “Hello Volkswagen” and then saying things such as I’m hot or my feet are cold. 

 

 

There are also steering wheel touch controls, 15 colors of ambient light choices and this redesigned navigation system which can be updated automatically with a paid subscription.  Combined with this upsized Digital Cockpit Pro with 3 views, the Audi vibes are palpable …just don’t look for the satellite mapping here.

 

 

It’s quite the upscale cabin with more space all around than you’d expect.  The rear seats slide and recline with a big pano roof for a sense of airiness;

 

 

 

 

the hatch opens with a kick of the foot and reveals generous storage capacity with a clever spot to hold the cargo cover, there’re levers to drop the rear seats which click reassuringly into place and a 2-stage floor for various hauling needs.  Just know that the 3 USB ports are all the small C types but with wireless charging and wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, it matters little to me.  And how refreshing is it to still see a traditional shifter?       

 

I have to say, I don’t love these new Touch controls but over the course of the week I’ve warmed to them.  They don’t press like actual buttons they just react to your fingertips and sometimes you don’t exactly get the desired result, but over here on the steering wheel they do press somewhat like buttons but I’d still appreciate something a little more tangible. 

 

 

And they’re a little busy and in general the controls in here, including those for the latest VW infotainment system, aren’t as intuitive as those of the segment leaders. But that being said the breadth of features and spaciousness of this top trim SEL R-Line model make it a winner.          

 

 

As for power, the 2.0-liter turbo give the Tiguan some zip with 221 pound-feet of torque, 184 horsepower and a smart 8-speed auto though without paddle shifters…something that might be fun in an R-Line.  There is a drive mode selector though with Eco, Normal, Sport, and a Custom setting effecting steering weight, shift points and throttle response. 

 

 

And though its 7.6” of ground clearance doesn’t lend itself to much off-road work 4Motion is a predictive all-wheel drive system with differential locks that’ll brake a slipping wheel while snow and off-road modes suppress wheelspin and can automatically trigger Hill Decent Control and Hill Start Assist. 

 

 

So if you switch out these Pirelli sport truck tires for something a little more knobby, getting around in the snow or off pavement should be a confidence inspiring.    

 

 

   

I haven’t tested a Tiguan in about 4 years but I don’t recall it being so difficult to drive smoothly and what I mean by that is the response curve of the accelerator pedal makes it feel like you’re always driving around in Sport mode…even in Normal and Eco. 

 

 

It lurches in stop and go driving unless you’re really deliberate about pressing the pedal lightly.  So with the punchy turbo it’s not the smoothest powertrain but the Tiguan definitely flaunts more driving personality than you’re likely to find in this segment.  It offers a light steering touch and it’s quick on its feet.  

 

 

VW’s have their own distinctive driving persona and the Tiguan is no exception with great forward visibility including adaptive front lighting, a comfortable but Euro-tuned suspension with handling agility and an all-around driver connectedness. 

 

 

And IQ.DRIVE is VW’s name for their driver-assistance systems which include Park Assist, Road Sign Display, auto high beams and this overhead view camera which displays sideways…that I don’t care for and I can’t figure out how to change it.  But the Adaptive Cruise Control system with Stop & Go and Lane Assist is not one of the better semi-autonomous setups on the market, reacting a little slowly, clumsy in its steering and offering very little hands-off time.  

 

But I like this…VW has kept it fresh and feeling like the German-chic, sportier small SUV choice with bountiful spaciousness to boot.    

 

 

 

 

2022 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN TEST DRIVE BY CAR CRITIC STEVE HAMMES  |  TESTDRIVENOW 2021(c)