2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

　　

2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Review

byChristian WardlawCorrespondent

　　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 zzdcar and was the first editor-in-chief of zzdcar.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.

　　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 $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$146/mo  for Tiguan S

　　Tiguan S

　　S 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $26,490 MSRPS 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $27,990 MSRPSE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $30,120 MSRPSE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $31,620 MSRPSE R-Line Black 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $32,950 MSRPSE R-Line Black 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $34,450 MSRPSEL R-Line 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $37,320 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/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.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar 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

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　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.

　　

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.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below