A Week With: 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line 4Motion

The second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan, launched for 2018, is Europe’s bestselling SUV, and the most well-liked mannequin within the Volkswagen Group worldwide. Within the U.S., nonetheless, it was outsold in 2021 by the Jetta sedan and Atlas midsize SUV. However the Tiguan stays a worthy automobile, due to an inexpensive entry worth and its distinctive character.

Overview

Supplied in ascending S, SE, SE R-Line, and SEL R-Line trim, the Volkswagen Tiguan receives the standard midcycle refresh for 2022, together with redesigned LED headlamps, a revised grille and bumpers, and contemporary wheels. The cabin will get spruced up as nicely, with a digital instrument cluster, a redesigned steering wheel with touch-sensitive controls for numerous features and heated seats on all fashions.

Volkswagen additionally up to date the SE, SE R-Line, and SEL R-Line fashions with touch-sensitive local weather controls. Within the driveline division, these fashions obtain adaptive cruise management, lane-keeping help, and Journey Help, VW’s semi-autonomous driving system. Third row seats are optionally available on all however the SEL R-Line. However strive before you purchase; its area could also be of marginal usefulness.

Exterior

The up to date exterior design maintains the Tiguan’s good-looking strains. In truth, that is simply one of many best-looking autos within the compact SUV phase, because it eschews the juvenile styling thrives frequent on this a part of the market, notably amongst Asian producers. Its seems will age nicely. 

After all, the American Tiguan is bought elsewhere on this planet as long-wheelbase mannequin; the short-wheelbase Tiguan bought abroad is 9 inches shorter. For those who needed to dimension up the Tiguan, it’s about 10 inches shorter, six inches narrower and two inches decrease than the Atlas CrossSport. 

At just below 186 inches lengthy, most drivers will discover it the right dimension. 

Inside

Climb inside and also you’ll discover the identical wise styling that characterizes the outside. That is really a peoples’ automobile, with out extravagant thrives or overly indulgent finishes. As an alternative, there’s a easy, Teutonic performance that’s refreshing, an intentional seriousness that’s a welcome aid that makes the inside ridiculously simple to make use of.

There are some notable trim variations, beginning with the seats. S fashions get fabric, SE and SE R-Line fashions are sheathed in leatherette, whereas SEL R-Traces are trimmed in leather-based. 

Talking of seats, they’re very comfy, and our two-row SEL R-Line mannequin supplied greater than enough area in each rows, rather less within the second than within the entrance, however extra enough nonetheless. The cabin remained pretty quiet, with solely the occasional intrusion of the engine disturbing it. 

And there’s 37.6 cubic toes of cargo area behind the second row and 73.4 cubic toes once they’re folded, though these figures are for the front-wheel-drive mannequin; 4Motion all-wheel-drive fashions have barely much less. Nonetheless, it’s sizable contemplating the automobile’s footprint.

The brand new touch-sensitive steering wheel controls add an upscale flourish to the inside, however the wheel’s small diameter crowds among the controls making some laborious to make use of, such because the button for the heated steering wheel. The ten.25-inch digital instrument cluster (8-inch on all however the high mannequin) options a big clear font that’s very simple to learn. Fortunately, there aren’t any flashy, childish graphics right here, only a wise hierarchy of knowledge that’s simple to prepared rapidly whereas driving. 

Powertrain

Being a Volkswagen, it’s no shock the corporate’s workhorse engine may be discovered underneath the hood. On this case, it’s the two.0-liter EA888 4-cylinder, turbocharged direct-injection engine that’s present in numerous Volkswagen and Audi fashions. It’s matched with an 8-speed computerized transmission and front-wheel drive or 4Motion all-wheel drive. The driveline generates 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, and is rated to tow 1,500 kilos. Payload is rated at 1,157 kilos with front-wheel drive; 120 kilos much less with all-wheel drive.

It options 4 driving modes, together with “Regular,” “Sport,” “Eco” and “Particular person.” VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive fashions characteristic 4 further modes that modify the automobile for driving circumstances, together with Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Customized Offroad.

The Tiguan has 7.4 inches of floor clearance with front-wheel drive; 7.6 inches with all-wheel drive. 

Security and Know-how

The Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration has not but rated the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan for general security nor entrance crash safety, however does give it 5 stars for facet crash security and 4 stars for rollover safety. The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security charges it as Good in crashworthiness, crash mitigation and crash avoidance.

Volkswagen installs its Journey Help semi-automated driving help on all Tiguans, in addition to forward-collision warning, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian monitoring, blind-spot monitor, rear visitors alert, adaptive cruise management, lane-keeping system and semi-automated emergency help. 

In terms of tech, VW equips the Tiguan with a 6.25-inch capacitive touchscreen on Tiguan S fashions, and 8-inch touchscreens on others. As you’d anticipate, there are USB-C ports and Bluetooth, together with HD radio, SiriusXM radio and a Fender premium audio system. Then there’s Automobile-Internet, VW’s linked automobile cell app, which options Amazon Alexa integration and Pandora, automobile well being reviews, and numerous totally different companies relying on the subscription plan chosen.

And, should you go for the SE trim or above, you may complain to your automobile and it’ll reply. Say, “Hi there Volkswagen, my toes are chilly,” and fairly than inform you to go placed on a pair of socks and sneakers fairly than flip-flops, it’ll crank the warmth with out you lifting a finger.

Driving Impressions

Whereas the turbocharged 4 supplies ample energy, throttle response appears higher than earlier than, approaching a bit extra evenly than within the earlier iteration. The engine emits extra sound than fury, however acceleration appeared enough, and the relative lack of turbo lag and engine vibration lends this Tiguan a extra refined really feel than earlier variations of the identical mannequin. Steering is comparatively gentle however you’ll discover it to be linear and exact.

The 4Motion all-wheel-drive system lends the automobile impartial dealing with in corners, imparting confidence. There may be some physique lean, nonetheless, but it surely’s not extreme.

Being that Tiguan competes in a fiercely fought phase, it’s not shocking that the Tiguan places a precedence on consolation, though the Tiguan is pretty agile with some physique lean in corners. This isn’t a hiked-up GTI. These anticipating a taught, sporty driving really feel could also be dissatisfied, however most shoppers received’t care.

That is a straightforward automobile to stay with. 

2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line 4Motion Specs

Wrap Up

The Tiguan’s reputation is straightforward to know. Extra refined than earlier than, and boasting some worthwhile updates, the Tiguan supplies a roomy cabin, refined driveline, easy-to-use know-how delivered in a crisp, conservative demeanor that will get all the way down to enterprise with out theatrics. And it’s obtainable at a lovely $26,490 beginning worth for the S trim. 

In immediately’s market, that might show laborious to withstand.

2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line 4Motion ­— Ceaselessly Requested Questions

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