Car prices are soaring along with gasoline, groceries and so many other essentials. So it’s nice to come across an SUV like the 2022 Tiguan that not only starts at under $30,000, if you can find one for that, but gets decent mileage and handles well.
So what if not one person had the slightest comment about my tester during its entire 7-day evaluation? It did everything it does correctly and efficiently and you know what else? It’s Volkswagen’s most popular vehicle in the United States and the rest of the world, and its sales have doubled in recent years. Clearly, the company is doing something right. Let’s take a closer look.
The Tiguan got a redesigned and smart-looking front end this year, including a new grille and bumper and standard LED headlights. Go for the R-line option and you’ll get attractive dark accents on your side sills and bumpers. Eight colors are on deck including “Oryx White” and “Kings Red Metallic,” and wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches are available.
You’ve got a 2.0 litre turbocharged 4 cylinder, making 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. That’s a small engine, especially for an SUV, but you’ll get as much as 26 MPG if you take it easy on the accelerator - and you will. This is no speed-demon. You get a fairly decent blastoff from a dead stop, not so much when you need to pass on the highway. Others around you may ride your behind, believing you have more power than you have, but the best you can do is lurk in the right lane and take a “Slow and steady wins the race” position as opposed to “Ok, wise guy, let’s see who’s the fastest.”
The brakes aren’t ferocious, but they are assured and do the job. Inside, the noise level is reasonable, visibility as well, but you may have to turn your head as you back into parking spots. You also cannot inch forward or backward with the door open, the car will stop. (Grrr.) The vehicle did very well on rough terrain, keeping the jostling to a minimum. The bigger wheels you opt for, the smoother the ride, natch. The steering is satisfactory at speed or in parking lots.
An understated but elegant cockpit welcomes you, with everything placed where you can find it, and all feels upscale to the touch. Heated seats now come standard as well as a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats if you want to pay for them. The famous Volkswagen Digital Cockpit arrives standard with an eight-inch screen; a 10-inch Digital Cockpit Pro can be added.
Some journalists have had problems figuring out the sound system, but I didn’t. (This time.) Apple CarPlay comes standard, as does Android Auto, neither of which I bothered with, but it is always nice to have them if you need them. I winced when I saw a slider bar for the climate system fan, but it was easy-as-pie to use, so I give it the thumbs-up.
Cloth seats come standard; leatherette and leather are options. You can also get a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting and a premium audio system as options.
Rear room is more than adequate, especially when compared with similarly styled vehicles in this price range. Fold down the seats and you’ll fit your bike back there, or a set of drums, or a load of lumber.
2022 VW Tiguan Seats Folded down
Check out all the available trims and pricing here. The 2022 VW Tiguan S will be your cheapest model starting at $25,995, with AWD another $1,500. That comes with keyless entry, LED headlights, the digital cockpit, and the previous-gen MIB2 infotainment system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen. You can add a worth-it IQ.Drive Package costing $895 which adds active blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and more.
Will you scream around corners, bang around off-road and do screechy donuts in parking lots? Of course not. But over a week’s test, I was impressed with the Tiguan and can well understand why it’s doing as well as it’s doing. Rumor has it that an electric’s on its way, and we’re looking forward. Expect the 2023 model some time this fall.