The up to date Tiguan has a shiny, smiling face.
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Even although it is a compact SUV, the Tiguan is a giant deal. Not solely is it Volkswagen’s best-selling mannequin within the US, it is also the German automaker’s hottest nameplate globally. So for this automobile’s redesign, VW well performed it secure, sprucing up the Tiggy with a number of minor enhancements moderately than tossing the whole lot and ranging from scratch. This conservative strategy is not probably the most thrilling, however it’s arduous to argue with the outcomes.
LikeMostly silky powertrainLoads of inside spaceTop-quality trimmings
Don’t LikeStop-start may very well be smootherSlightly torpid throttle
New, however you won’t discoverIf you are unable to identify the variations between the up to date Tiguan and the outgoing mannequin, I am unable to blame you. Visually, little has modified — and that is not a nasty factor. This SUV has all the time been cleanly designed and mature, wearing styling that, if not pulse-quickening, is virtually assured to age properly. The identical cannot essentially be stated in regards to the new Hyundai Tucson, as an example.So, what’s new for 2022? Starting entrance and heart, the Tiguan’s face has been reworked and the physique has sharper traces right here and there. LED headlights are normal fare and sure fashions function illuminated trim on the grille. Fresh wheel designs are supplied, with sizes starting from 17 to 20 inches. As for paint colours, Oryx White and Kings Red be part of the palette, and ‘spherical again, the Tiguan identify is now positioned on the middle of the liftgate for a extra premium look.
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan is barely new however properly improved
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Compassionate conservativeThe Tiguan’s conservatism carries by way of to its cabin. While maybe not as good as what Mazda’s CX-5 affords, the Tiguan’s appointments are unquestionably close to the highest of its class, simply outshining the Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4. This range-topping SEL R-Line tester has acres of soppy plastic, decent-quality leather-based and vigorous contrast-color stitching and piping. Everything is properly constructed and strong, plus the ergonomics present little to complain about.For additional comfort, keyless entry with pushbutton begin, in-vehicle Wi-Fi and heated entrance seats are all normal. From the SE mannequin on up you additionally get distant begin and dual-zone local weather management with touch-sensitive controls for fan pace and temperature. This feels like a horrible concept, however they work mainly in addition to a bodily change or dial, responding immediately and precisely. It’s the identical story with the Tiguan’s touch-sensitive steering wheel controls. They work much better than what you get in some Mercedes-Benz fashions as of late.
This SUV’s inside is upscale and cozy.
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An 8-inch digital instrument cluster is normal gear, however the fanciest Tiguan supplied comes with a 10.3-incher. Beyond that, S fashions are fitted with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, whereas all different variants function an 8-inch panel. Unfortunately, the infotainment system that lives on this crisp, easy-to-reach show is middling. This multimedia array is usually performant, however the person interface is way from probably the most intuitive within the enterprise. But hey, if it is an issue you possibly can all the time use Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Both smartphone-mirroring methods are normal.
The Tiguan SEL R-Line’s eight-way power-adjustable entrance bucket seats have all of the topographical variation of Florida (learn: they’re flat), however regardless of being much less contoured than a bocce ball court docket, these chairs are nonetheless surprisingly livable, being each supportive and correctly angled for long-haul consolation. The again bench is sort of as good, seemingly tailored for lanky adults as a result of it affords miles of room for heads and legs.Front-wheel-drive Tiguans include a third-row seat, one thing that may be helpful in a pinch, however all-wheel-drive variants are two-row solely. The set up fee of third-row seats in all-wheel-drive variants was solely about 10%, so well, the automaker nixed it for 2022. There’s loads of cargo area on this SUV. You get 37.6 cubic ft of room behind the second-row seat and as much as 73.4 when that rear backrest is folded down, which you’ll be able to conveniently do from the cargo space by pulling a pair latches. Front-drive fashions are barely much less capacious however nonetheless loads roomy.Drop the rear backrest and this automobile can haul loads of cargo.
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No surprises, no downsideIf you are aware of the Tiguan, there are completely no surprises underneath the 2022 mannequin’s hood. This SUV is as soon as once more motivated by a 2.0-liter turbo I4, and as earlier than, it delivers 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. On paper, these figures look fairly lackluster, however the Tiggy’s efficiency is surprisingly sturdy. It has no bother accelerating at any pace and feels loads punchy from 2,000 rpm to about 4,500. Even although this engine’s peak figures have not modified, it has been tuned to ship extra midrange oomph and be extra environment friendly.This swanky SEL R-Line mannequin with 4Motion all-wheel drive ought to return 21 mpg within the metropolis and 28 mpg freeway. Combined, it is rated at a aggressive 24 mpg. In combined motoring I’m averaging nearly that a lot. An entry-level, front-drive Tiguan is, naturally, barely extra environment friendly, stickering at 23 mpg metropolis and 30 on the freeway. Either means, the automobile is barely extra economical than final 12 months. Depending on mannequin and trim, it is about 1 mpg extra environment friendly.Refinement has all the time been an indicator of Volkswagen’s EA888 2.0-liter turbo engine, which does a convincing job of imitating an excellent V6. In this software, the engine is as clean as ever, with scarcely any vibration being felt within the passenger compartment. Sure, it could possibly sound somewhat grumbly at instances, however it’s by no means obtrusive. The Tiguan’s normal eight-speed computerized transmission is simply as refined, shortly swapping cogs as wanted and willingly downshifting when you have to boogie. Prompt and well mannered, this gearbox is the whole lot you may ask for.As all the time, Volkswagen’s 2.0-liter turbo-four is somewhat jewel.
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For all this drivetrain’s virtues, it does have a pair minor downsides. First, the usual, fuel-saving computerized stop-start system, whereas tremendous fast, is a bit jerky, inflicting the engine to judder when it fires up once more. And second, the Tiguan feels a tiny bit comfortable when taking off from a standstill, just like the throttle response is dulled. This is a minor grievance that may be rectified by being somewhat extra aggressive than regular with the go-pedal.Luxury-car refinementWhen pushed, the Tiguan takes all of it in stride. No, it is not wanting to play, however the Tiguan can deal with roughhousing with out subject. Whether you are hammering it by way of corners or bombing down rutted backroads, this SUV feels as strong as bedrock, like its construction is produced from depleted uranium or another extremely dense materials. The Tiguan has seemingly zero chassis flex and emits no squeaks or rattles, which makes it really feel extra like a luxurious automobile than one thing constructed by a mass-market producer.That structural stiffness interprets right into a super-refined experience. The Tiguan is agency over bumps, however by no means punishing, even with 20-inch wheels. Its experience can also be surprisingly freed from vibration or grittiness, which additional underscores its luxury-rivaling refinement. As for steering really feel, it’s class aggressive: Light to the contact however fast sufficient to really feel agile.Warding off accidents, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are all normal. Upping the ante, Volkswagen’s IQ Drive suite of aids can also be included on all however the base S mannequin, and there it is priced at simply $895. This consists of lane-keeping help, computerized emergency braking with pedestrian detection and rear cross-traffic alert. Travel Assist — VW’s model of adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go functionality and lane centering — is bundled, too. In the Tiguan, this function works as marketed, easily adjusting the automobile’s pace as mandatory and maintaining it between the traces, although the lane-centering system is not fairly as strong feeling as in autos from different producers.You may do so much worse than the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan.
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One of the most effectiveThe up to date Tiguan ought to be out there at Volkswagen sellers shortly. If you are searching for one in all these SUVs, 4 trim ranges are on the menu for 2022 as an alternative of 5 like final 12 months. The extra streamlined vary now consists of S, SE, SE R-Line Black and highfalutin SEL R-Line, the mannequin evaluated right here. This instance checks out for about $38,000 together with $1,995 in supply charges, under no circumstances an unreasonable sum given how costly autos have change into. The base mannequin is about 10 grand cheaper, with the S trim kicking off at $27,190, a beginning value that places the Tiguan proper in step with opponents.Thanks to its spacious and richly appointed inside, over-the-road refinement and beneficiant options, the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan is one in all my favourite compact SUVs. I simply desire it over a Chevy Equinox, Ford Escape or Toyota RAV4, however whether or not it is higher than a Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson or Mazda CX-5 is more durable to say. Still, the truth that you possibly can point out this VW in the identical sentence as these phase leaders is nice for the automaker and even higher for drivers.