2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SE

Volkswagen’s second generation Tiguan has been through a major refresh for the 2022 model year, with added standard technological features and a sharpened exterior. Digital Cockpit instrument cluster with an 8-inch display is now standard. By reorganizing and improving standard equipment, VW hopes to increase its foothold in the compact SUV segment.

The ride has also improved, and competitive pricing should assist in making the goal a reality. The engine Start/Stop System and electric power steering have been greatly improved.

Digital Cockpit instrument cluster. (Courtesy of Volkswagen)

Tiguan’s cabin is nice and quiet, and the SUV maneuvers fairly well in the curves while providing quality comfort. Surprisingly, even the 18-inch tires only generate a minimal amount of road noise.

Tiguan is powered by a 2.0L DOHC turbo 4-cylinder engine pumping up to 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque through an 8-speed automatic transmission with Driving Mode Selection. A Start/Stop system is standard to reduce fuel consumption, and helps the Tiguan to achieve a fuel economy rating of 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway for a combined average of 25 mpg.

2.0L TSI turbo-four engine. (Courtesy of Volkswagen)

Tiguan can be equipped with the 4Motion with Active Control AWD system. FWD models come standard with three rows of seating, while AWD models come standard in a 5-seater configuration. The test model was a 7-seater.

Inside, Tiguan is more spacious than some competitors in the segment. The first and second rows offer adequate headroom and legroom, plus an average cargo capacity. Interior materials are of good quality.

Inside the Tiguan. (Courtesy of Volkswagen)

The front footwell lights provide excellent lighting as illuminated mirrorS with ready light add comfort to the darkened interior. Front seats are heated and adjustable. The second row has a 40/20/40 split folding-sliding configuration that reclines with a center armrest, allowing for easy access.

The small third-row is too cramped. The additional middle seat provides a tight seating spot even for small children.

There are some issues I have with the vehicle, such as some controls are slow to respond, and the climate controls are mounted too low to the dash. The driver must take eyes off the road to make adjustments.

Steering wheel with touch-sensitive buttons. (Courtesy of Volkswagen)

The center armrest provides extra storage and lets you rest your right arm comfortably while driving. The leather-wrapped steering wheel looks and feels well, but the touch controls on the wheel are problematic. It’s easy to touch them unintentionally while driving, making you either learn to adjust or keep those buttons in the back of your mind while driving.

The 6-speaker audio system outputs the sound from the MIB infotainment system. SE and above models feature the new SiriusXM with 360L platform, which adds streaming channels to the satellite radio service, You can also bring your own entertainment material through Bluetooth and USB ports. The rear camera system is clear and concise, making backup parking a breeze.

The infotainment system display. (Courtesy of Volkswagen)

The IQ-DRIVE driver assist suite IS standard on all but the base S model. The package includes, among many other features, Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Sport Monitor, Lane Keep Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control.

Outside, my Tiguan was covered with a beautiful red paint exterior. Silver roof rails, rear heated window washer-wiper, and front window rain sensitive wipers add essential safety with convenience AND UTILITY. LED headlights and DRLs announce your approach, while LED tail lamps tell your departure.

Looking from the back. (Courtesy of Volkswagen)

Government NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating is not completed yet as of this writing, but Tiguan did receive a 5-star score for side crash categories and a 4-star for Rollover. Frontal Crash categories and overall ratings are still pending.

The MSRP for the 2022 VW Tiguan starts at $26,490 for the base S model. Stepping up to the SE model bumps the price up to $30,120. Further up the lineup are the $32,950 SE-R-Line Black and the $37,320 SEL R-Line.

Warranty
2 years/20,000 miles Scheduled Carefree Maintenance
4 years/50,000 miles New Vehicle Limited Warranty
7 years/100,000 miles Corrosion Perforation Warranty
3 years/36,000 miles 24-hour Roadside Assistance

Durhl Caussey writes a car column read around the world. He may be reached at this paper or durhlcaussey@gmail.com