Volkswagen Tiguan 2022 Review

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.

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.

Which Tiguan does MatoCar recommend?

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)