The compact Volkswagen Tiguan was a good vendor via the primary two thirds of its life, however because it was upgraded with a 3rd row and extra space a couple of years in the past, gross sales have greater than doubled. It is the corporate’s hottest car within the US, and it is VW’s hottest car on the earth.
And we will see why. It is inoffensively styled, though gasoline mileage is somewhat low for the section that features the mega-selling Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, together with the Ford Escape. But it surely’s the one seven-seat car within the high a part of the category. The bottom costs of all these vehicles are within the $25K-$27K vary, so it actually comes all the way down to options and private desire. It is a household, commuter automobile, so we’re not seeking to carve corners or nail apexes. Moderately, we would like a helpful trip that is not supremely boring to drive. In that context, we expect VW did job.
Styling: Restrained German Execution
The 2022 Tiguan will get a revised entrance finish with a brand new bumper and grille, together with normal LED headlights and daytime operating lights. We just like the R-Line package deal, which provides darkish accents to the bumpers and aspect sills. It additionally provides the cool steering wheel, however we’ll get to that in a minute.
The aspect profile is usually the identical, with the massaging of some character strains. New, centered Tiguan lettering on the again would be the tip-off that that is the refreshed mannequin, a development began on the brand new Taos SUV earlier this 12 months. The Tiguan will probably be provided in eight colours together with two new ones: Kings Crimson Metallic and Oryx White. New wheels full the package deal, starting from 17 to twenty inches in dimension.
Driving Impressions: Yeoman’s Work
The brand new Tiguan sticks with the corporate’s 2.0-liter turbo-four making 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, the latter of which is on the market from only one,600 rpm. VW tuned it a bit to get an additional mile per gallon mixed, placing it at 26 mpg in front-wheel-drive guise. We won’t say it felt fast, simply acceptable. The takeoff from a standstill is best than making an attempt to get from 60 to 80 mph, even exhibiting somewhat torque steer within the entrance wheels on FWD automobiles. Talking of, VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive will add $1,500 on all trims aside from the SEL R-Line, the place it comes normal.
The brakes had been somewhat squishy for our tastes, with somewhat an excessive amount of journey. However they had been easygoing and by no means allow us to suppose we weren’t going to cease. For this kind of car, they had been utterly nice. It is quieter than anticipated inside as many of the street and wind noise is muted. Sightlines are nice from the higher-than-average perch.
As we talked about above, this is not an fanatic car. Nonetheless, the steering is each higher and faster than many of the section, although that is not stunning. VW’s complete lineup has at all times felt barely sportier than the competing Toyotas, although the RAV4 now has a couple of good powertrain choices.
The bumps are soaked up effectively by the suspension, particularly with normal-sized 17- or 18-inch wheels. In the event you get the 19s or 20s, you’ll really feel a few of these street imperfections. These larger wheels include a slight dealing with profit, however we expect you will be a lot happier with one of many extra cheap choices, particularly if you happen to spend any time on gravel, filth or grass.
Inside: New Tech Abound
A lot of the updates will probably be observed within the cabin of the brand new Tiguan, the place heated seats are actually normal throughout the board, with a heated steering wheel and ventilated entrance seats obtainable as choices. The Volkswagen Digital Cockpit comes normal with an eight-inch show whereas the 10-inch Digital Cockpit Professional will be added. The one trim that does not come normal with VW’s newest MIB3 infotainment is the bottom S mannequin.
We sampled each the eight-inch and 10-inch Digital Cockpits and located them simple to learn and management via the steering wheel, with a number of information to look over. We have to be on the level the place it is cheaper to simply put a digital display screen within the cluster as a substitute of analog gauges.
The MIB3 infotainment labored nice, besides it took us a couple of minutes (hours) to determine get again to Apple CarPlay after we bounced into the native media system. It seems we had been imagined to press the “apps” button, which now appears apparent. The SE mannequin we examined had a button for navigation, however no programming, which might be the beginning of a function subscription at play, during which the following proprietor might add the function.
Wi-fi Apple CarPlay is normal, with wi-fi charging normal in SE and above trims. Additionally, on these higher three trims, VW’s new Climatronic Contact interface for local weather management comes normal. Usually we propose knob controls for local weather controls, however this little panel with contact sliders works effectively. R-Line fashions add a thicker, leather-based, perforated steering wheel with haptic buttons for radio and cruise management. Fabric seats are normal with leatherette and leather-based as optionally available. A panoramic sunroof, premium audio and ambient lighting are additionally extra-cost choices.
We jumped in each the second and third row to see how adults match. The second row reclines and slides, which leaves sufficient legroom within the third row for shorter adults. At 5-foot-10, my head was hitting the ceiling, so we would not advise taking lengthy journeys again there. All FWD Tiguans will get a 3rd row as normal and all AWD derivatives include two rows. VW mentioned it discovered that is how most of its prospects use their automobiles anyway.
Pricing
The 2022 VW Tiguan S is the most affordable mannequin beginning at $25,995 and AWD is an additional $1,500. It comes with LED headlights, keyless entry, the digital cockpit, and the previous-gen MIB2 infotainment system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen. On that base mannequin, the IQ.Drive Bundle prices $895 and provides options like lively blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise management.
The SE begins at $29,495 in FWD trim. It provides the upgraded infotainment system, wi-fi charging, extra USB ports, and the brand new local weather programs. The SE R-Line Black is subsequent at $32,295. It will get 19-inch wheels, black exterior accents, a panoramic sunroof, and 15-color ambient lighting as normal. Lastly, we’ve got the SEL R-Line, which will get all the pieces together with 20-inch wheels, adaptive entrance lighting, a Parking Steering Assistant, a birds-eye view digital camera, navigation, and the larger 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Professional. It additionally has the 4Motion AWD system outfitted by default.
Our choose can be the SE R-Line Black. It begins at $33,795 with 4Motion AWD. It comes normal with IQ.DRIVE, VW’s choice of security and semi-autonomous options like ahead collision warning, adaptive cruise, journey help, and lane maintaining. It additionally comes with the upgraded steering wheel and air flow controls. Choose one of many new colours; they’re positively the perfect.
Verdict
The Volkswagen Tiguan was excessive on our record of compact crossovers till the Toyota RAV4 acquired a redesign to look extra just like the 4Runner. Now that is our number one. The Honda CR-V is a bit more snug, and perhaps higher as an all-rounder. Nevertheless, the Tiguan has a 3rd row, which is what’s going to promote this VW. The Tiguan seems higher than the CR-V to us, and it blows the Chevy Equinox out of the water. We do just like the look and powertrains of the Ford Escape, if you happen to do not want that third row.
However what you get with Volkswagen is a bit more enjoyable within the chassis, somewhat extra directness within the steering, and somewhat extra usefulness within the cabin. Gasoline mileage will probably be moderately environment friendly on lengthy journeys however simply keep in mind to maintain adults out of the third row.