2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Review
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Review
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The Tiguan looks sharp and is one of just a few small SUVs that offers a third-row seat. It also has a comfortable ride and very good outward visibility. But questionable usefulness of the third row, plus some distracting-to-use controls, keep the Tiguan from being a top pick.
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2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Review
byChristian Wardlaw
Correspondent
Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at Edmunds and was the first editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.
Pros
- Smooth, quiet ride
- Impressive driver assistance tech
- Roomy interior and cargo area
- One of but a few small SUVs that offers a third-row seat
Cons
- Available third-row seat is super tight and reduces cargo space
- New touch-sensing controls can be distracting to use while driving
- Engine can be either too slow or too quick to respond
What's new
- Updated exterior styling
- New interior technology and detailing
- Expanded availability of driver assist systems
- Part of the second Tiguan generation introduced for 2018
Overview
It's possible to overlook the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan when you're shopping for a small crossover SUV. Though it is now the best-selling VW in America, the Tiguan doesn't immediately spring to mind like some of the more popular models in the segment, which is a shame. Equipped with appealing design, a roomy cabin, a large cargo area and decent performance, there is plenty to like about the 2022 Tiguan.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan S 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$167/mo for Tiguan S
Tiguan S
vs
$201/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
That's especially true this year. Updates include sharper styling, improved interior materials, more standard technology features, and wider availability of advanced driver assist systems. Volkswagen also simplifies the Tiguan lineup and reduces the price of the top-trim version. Still available for the 2022 Tiguan is a third-row seat. It's cramped but can come in handy on those occasions when you need to take along extra passengers.
Overall, the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan is worth a close look as an alternative to small five-passenger SUVs such as the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Rogue and Toyota RAV4. There's also the Kia Sorento, which, like the Tiguan, has a small third-row seat. Be sure to read our full Expert Rating to learn more about the updated and upgraded 2022 Tiguan.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Average
7.6
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The Tiguan looks sharp and is one of just a few small SUVs that offers a third-row seat. It also has a comfortable ride and very good outward visibility. But questionable usefulness of the third row, plus some distracting-to-use controls, keep the Tiguan from being a top pick.
Rated for you by America's best test team.Performance
7.5/10
How does the Tiguan drive? The turbocharged engine is reasonably strong. We tested a front-wheel-drive Tiguan and it accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 8.9 seconds, which is average for a small three-row SUV. But the Tiguan has a problem deploying its power smoothly and is somewhat prone to both underreacting and overreacting to moderate requests for more power. This makes it occasionally difficult to accelerate smoothly.
The steering has good accuracy and excellent weighting. Whether you're navigating a parking lot or a twisty road, the Tiguan is a willing partner. The brakes, too, are light and easy to manage. Smooth stops can be made without a second thought. Outright stopping power isn't the best, due in large part to fairly low-grip tires, but our test Tiguan demonstrated good stability and composure in our emergency braking tests.
The steering has good accuracy and excellent weighting. Whether you're navigating a parking lot or a twisty road, the Tiguan is a willing partner. The brakes, too, are light and easy to manage. Smooth stops can be made without a second thought. Outright stopping power isn't the best, due in large part to fairly low-grip tires, but our test Tiguan demonstrated good stability and composure in our emergency braking tests.
Comfort
8.5/10
How comfortable is the Tiguan? With a ride that borders on plush, it's clear Volkswagen made comfort a priority with the Tiguan. Sharp bumps are nicely rounded off, and the highway ride manages to float over imperfections while maintaining very good body control. Even larger potholes are absorbed without much notice.
Once underway, the Tiguan boasts a quiet cabin with minimal engine, road and wind noise, even at elevated speeds. The engine does sound somewhat crude when pulling away from a stop, but it blends into the background quickly. The climate system's touch-sensitive controls aren't our favorite, but the system otherwise provides good air coverage and adjustability.
Front seat comfort is OK, but we wish they offered a bit more support, especially in the bottom cushions, and better breathability. The outboard second-row seats offer welcome sculpting and bolstering, but the third-row seats are barely functional for anyone but small children.
Once underway, the Tiguan boasts a quiet cabin with minimal engine, road and wind noise, even at elevated speeds. The engine does sound somewhat crude when pulling away from a stop, but it blends into the background quickly. The climate system's touch-sensitive controls aren't our favorite, but the system otherwise provides good air coverage and adjustability.
Front seat comfort is OK, but we wish they offered a bit more support, especially in the bottom cushions, and better breathability. The outboard second-row seats offer welcome sculpting and bolstering, but the third-row seats are barely functional for anyone but small children.
Interior
7.5/10
How’s the interior? The Tiguan scores high marks for its highly adjustable driving position and good all-around visibility. And thanks to its large door openings, the Tiguan is very easy to step in and out of — so long as you're sitting in the first two rows. Climbing into the third row requires a lot of flexibility to squeeze through the narrow gap. Also, the second-row seats require some muscle to slide forward.
Third-row passengers will not enjoy the trip no matter how short it is. Space is tight — much tighter than in the third row of the Kia Sorento — because of limited headroom and legroom. The seats are flat and uncomfortable too. Second-row passengers might want a bit more legroom too. The Tiguan's rear legroom is far more generous if you don't get the third-row seat.
The interior of the Tiguan looks sleek. Unfortunately, Volkswagen has also made extensive use of touch-sensitive switches instead of physical buttons. These controls are easy to use when parked, and we appreciate the simulated tactile feedback from the steering wheel controls. But using these switches while driving can also draw your attention away from the road because you still have to look to pinpoint the one you want rather than go by feel as you can with a regular button.
Third-row passengers will not enjoy the trip no matter how short it is. Space is tight — much tighter than in the third row of the Kia Sorento — because of limited headroom and legroom. The seats are flat and uncomfortable too. Second-row passengers might want a bit more legroom too. The Tiguan's rear legroom is far more generous if you don't get the third-row seat.
The interior of the Tiguan looks sleek. Unfortunately, Volkswagen has also made extensive use of touch-sensitive switches instead of physical buttons. These controls are easy to use when parked, and we appreciate the simulated tactile feedback from the steering wheel controls. But using these switches while driving can also draw your attention away from the road because you still have to look to pinpoint the one you want rather than go by feel as you can with a regular button.
Technology
7.0/10
How’s the tech? Our test vehicle was equipped with the 8-inch touchscreen. It has a neat feature that automatically displays some virtual buttons on the screen when your hand gets close to the screen. But for the price, the features seemed a bit thin, with no navigation and only the most basic information offered for vehicle status and various audio displays.
Thankfully smartphone integration through Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is standard, and front passengers get two USB-C ports. Our SE R-Line test model included wireless charging but offered only one USB-C port for second-row passengers and none for the third row.
We found the various advanced driver aids to be well behaved and easy to use. Our only gripe stems from the adaptive cruise control system, which was slow to respond in stop-and-go traffic. The Tiguan's lane keeping assist works well on the open highway but loses its effectiveness with anything more than a gentle bend.
Thankfully smartphone integration through Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is standard, and front passengers get two USB-C ports. Our SE R-Line test model included wireless charging but offered only one USB-C port for second-row passengers and none for the third row.
We found the various advanced driver aids to be well behaved and easy to use. Our only gripe stems from the adaptive cruise control system, which was slow to respond in stop-and-go traffic. The Tiguan's lane keeping assist works well on the open highway but loses its effectiveness with anything more than a gentle bend.
Storage
7.5/10
How’s the storage? Tiguans equipped with three rows of seats get 12 cubic feet behind the last row, which is on par for what you get from other compact three-row SUVs. Folding the third-row seats results in 33 cubes, and doing the same to the second-row seats maxes out the three-row Tiguan to 65.3 cubic feet. If cargo capacity is more important than passenger count, note that the two-row Tiguan offers 37.6 cubes and a more generous 73.4 cubes when all the seats are down. Those numbers are similar to those of other compact two-row SUVs like the RAV4 and CR-V.
Inside, the Tiguan treats its front seat occupants with fully lined door pockets and center console, so things don't rattle around as much. The cupholders work well to hold a variety of bottle sizes. There's even a handy tray on top of the dash for sunglasses. Towing is not the Tiguan's strong suit and it is rated for only 1,500 pounds once a hitch has been installed by the dealer. By contrast, the Kia Sorento can pull up to 3,500 pounds.
Inside, the Tiguan treats its front seat occupants with fully lined door pockets and center console, so things don't rattle around as much. The cupholders work well to hold a variety of bottle sizes. There's even a handy tray on top of the dash for sunglasses. Towing is not the Tiguan's strong suit and it is rated for only 1,500 pounds once a hitch has been installed by the dealer. By contrast, the Kia Sorento can pull up to 3,500 pounds.
Fuel Economy
8.5/10
How’s the fuel economy? The front-wheel-drive Tiguan's EPA-estimated fuel economy of 26 mpg combined is unremarkable. In fact, that's very similar to the Kia Sorento, and that SUV has an extra 100 horsepower. But on Edmunds' real-world evaluation route, our test Tiguan returned an excellent 30 mpg, and did so using only the required 87 octane gasoline.
Value
7.5/10
Is the Tiguan a good value? If you're willing to pay for the extra versatility a third row of seating provides, the Tiguan can represent a fairly good bargain in the compact SUV segment. The materials and features don't always match what some rivals offer, but the Tiguan's overall look and style are premium and modern.
Volkswagen offers fairly standard warranties of four years/50,000 miles for both bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage. Roadside assistance is included for three years/36,000 miles, and free scheduled maintenance is a generous two years/20,000 miles.
Volkswagen offers fairly standard warranties of four years/50,000 miles for both bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage. Roadside assistance is included for three years/36,000 miles, and free scheduled maintenance is a generous two years/20,000 miles.
Wildcard
7.5/10
Volkswagen styled the Tiguan to good effect. This compact SUV looks more expensive than it actually is. The driving experience is less appealing, however. It's a comfortable SUV but not particularly rewarding to drive.
Which Tiguan does Edmunds recommend?
For the best blend of style, equipment and value, the Tiguan SE is our recommendation. It includes an upgraded infotainment system with wireless smartphone integration capability and the Tiguan's full collection of driving aids, as well as added comfort and convenience features such as remote engine starting and dual-zone automatic climate control.
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan models
Volkswagen has simplified the 2022 Tiguan lineup, now offering the SUV in four trim levels: S, SE, SE R-Line Black and SEL R-Line. They all have a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (184 horsepower, 221 lb-ft of torque) and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard with S, SE and SE R-Line Black trims, as is a third-row seat. All-wheel drive is optional for these versions of the Tiguan, and it eliminates the third row. The SEL R-Line includes standard all-wheel drive.
S
The base trim equips the Tiguan with these standard features:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- Roof rails
- Heated windshield washer-jet nozzles
- Keyless entry with push-button start
- Heated front seats
- Rear seat air-conditioning vents
- Digital instrumentation with an 8-inch display
- 6.5-inch center touchscreen infotainment system
- Two USB ports
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Six-speaker sound system
- VW's Car-Net connected services including Wi-Fi access (requires enrollment and/or subscription)
Standard safety equipment on every Tiguan includes:
- Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
- Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
Tiguan S buyers can upgrade the safety technology with an IQ.Drive & S Convenience package. It contains:
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Auto-dimming interior rearview mirror
- Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the Tiguan and the car in front)
- Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
- Blind-spot intervention (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot)
- Emergency assist (with adaptive cruise control and lane keeping system active, can detect an unresponsive driver and bring the Tiguan to a safe stop)
SE
The Tiguan SE includes the contents of IQ.Drive and the S Convenience package and adds these features:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Power liftgate
- Remote engine start
- Simulated and perforated leather seating surfaces
- Power-adjustable driver's seat
- Touch-sensing dual-zone automatic climate control
- Upgraded infotainment system with 8-inch touchscreen and voice control
- Bluetooth support for multiple devices
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
- Wireless smartphone charging pad
- Rear USB port
SE R-Line Black
This trim includes sporty R-Line styling and comes with these add-ons:
- Black exterior and interior trim
- Black 19-inch wheels
- Ambient interior lighting
- Panoramic sunroof
- Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
SEL R-Line
The top-of-the-line Tiguan SEL R-Line includes:
- All-wheel drive
- Hill descent control (controls vehicle speed on steep downhill surfaces)
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Light bar integrated into grille
- Additional chrome exterior trim
- Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
- Power-folding side mirrors
- Hands-free liftgate
- Leather sport seats
- Driver's seat memory settings
- Power-adjustable front passenger seat
- Heated steering wheel
- 10.25-inch digital instrument display
- Integrated navigation system
- Premium sound system
- 360-degree surround-view camera (gives you a top-down view of the Tiguan and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
- Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
3.5 out of 5 stars3.5/5Above Average
#27 out of 29 among Compact SUVs
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Volkswagen Tiguan from 2008-2022.$569/yr
vs. $465/yr
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).1.69x/yr
vs. 1x/yr
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).12.7%
vs. 11.5%
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan.
5 star(51%)
4 star(23%)
3 star(4%)
2 star(8%)
1 star(14%)
51 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4 out of 5 stars
Excellent value!
Denver Duke, 12/11/2021
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SE R-Line Black 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
Likes include the solid build quality and sleek, modern looks, esp. on this SE-R-Line. I also like the peppier tune on this 2022, 2.0L engine vs. previous years which I've owned. Here in Denver there is a good selection of real cars that are on dealer lots unlike Subaru, Toyota, Honda. This is a tremendous plus to be able to drive an actual car before you buy it!
Dislikes include the … fussy, haptic controls on the steering wheel and for the climate controls. Once you get used to them, they are acceptable. They look modern and work well, but I sometimes have to take my eyes off the road to adjust them
This AWD car exceeds EPA mileage estimates as did my previous VWs. My car's computer is currently showing 29.5 mpg overall average after 3200 miles of mixed driving (70% hwy.)
Some older reviews complain that this car lacks power but I completely disagree. Especially at altitude, the 2022 Tiguan easily outperforms the new Forester. I tested several.
Some more likes I just thought of: Beautiful LED, interior ambient lighting can be adjusted for colors and intensity or turned off. Headlights are crisp, white LEDs that light the road nicely without blinding other drivers. The auto-dimming, frameless rear-view mirror also has a compass built in along with Homelink remote.
5 out of 5 stars
This is our 2nd Tiguan SEL
Generalmgr, 05/24/2022
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
We liked the first one so much, a 2019 SEL Premium R Line, that we traded it in on a 2022 SEL. My wife loves loves loves this car. She's not into the tech stuff, she just likes how easy it is to drive and how comfortable it is to ride in while still handling well. She routinely gets over 30mpg on average, including 35+ on the highway. My only complaint is that the ride is just a bit … stiffer than I prefer. It was on our 2019 too, and when we replaced the tires we got some with a slightly larger sidewall and that made a world of difference....so we will do the same when the time comes on our 2022. I drive a LOT of rentals when traveling for work, and when I get home and drive this SUV I'm always saying I can't believe how much better I like it than other every other SUV I rent.
5 out of 5 stars
20k mile review, still a solid VW product!
PaulB, 08/25/2022
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
Likes- solid car, dependable, handling, many driving style options.
Dislikes- Expensive oil changes, factory tires, brake wear,
Overall- I love Germans cars, had them all.. I opted to upgrade tires to a larger size, 235/60/17 major change in ride quality, handling.. I use 5-30 20k engine oil, as the factory had no choice to meet US EPA thinner oil for MPG. Zero effect on anything. … Quieter engine now. 5k oil changes.. 20k is absurd!! My last VW had 300k miles when I sold it. No issues ever. This car will not disappoint, highly recommend.
4 out of 5 stars
2022 SEL R-Line AWD ble ext/Storm gray int
NeneTX, 07/12/2022
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
OK so I had a 2019 SE FWD Tiguan with the two tone golden oak interior that I traded in for the 2022 all-wheel-drive SEL RLine… There is no third row, there is air heated and cooled seating controls for the front driver and passenger, there is wave technology where you can just use your hand to wave it in front of the screen to get to the menu you are looking for, you can change the … color of the interior lighting which I absolutely love because I’m a freaking toddler, and the fact that I can drive in snow or whatever with this vehicle without the third row seating… Makes me super excited because of SnowMageddon that happened in Texas… I absolutely love this car! It is fun to drive, fuel economy is pretty good, it beautiful in blue with the light gray interior, There are so many safety features I took my niece for her first driving lesson in this car a week after I got it in an empty parking lot and she did fantastic! It is a huge confidence builder for those that question their driving abilities. I love my car, I don’t miss the third row (it’s really not comfortable for adults anyway and with all wheel drive you do not get a third row), I love that the steering wheel has a heated feature because my hands are always freezing #Raynauds, The navigation and all the other features other than the charging that doesn’t go through my cell phone case… I love SUV. This is absolutely my favorite car, I have been a Volkswagen enthusiast since 2008… I feel like this is a grown-up version of all the things I love about VW.
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan video
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Review | VW's Capable Compact SUV | MPG, Specs & More
2022 Tiguan Highlights
S
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $26,490 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 26 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $167/month |
Seating | 7 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 12.0 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the Tiguan models:
- Automatic Post-Collision Braking
- Brings the Tiguan to a stop as soon as possible after a collision to limit or avoid a secondary crash after the airbags have deployed.
- Travel Assist
- A hands-on driver assist system that combines adaptive cruise control with a lane keeping system to reduce driver effort on the highway.
- Emergency Assist
- With Travel Assist active, Emergency Assist can detect an unresponsive driver and bring the Tiguan to a safe stop.
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover16.8%
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