This is a welcome update to Volkswagen’s most-sold SUV.
The Volkswagen lineup continues to evolve, and the new Mk8 golf is at the center of this evolution. It’s only right that the rest the lineup is updated. The 2022 Tiguan is the latest model to receive the brand’s new look. This mid-size crossover has a new family face and a completely renovated cabin. It also features the most recent in safety and technology equipment.
The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan looks sharp, probably because it has a lot of visual similarities with the Golf. The new design cues include LED standard headlights and taillights as well as a larger grille and a bold “TIGUAN” wordmark on the trunk lid. A bumper with larger vents is also included. The US Tiguan will be available in four flavors: SE, SE R–Line, SE R–Line and SEL R–Line. On SE models above, third-row seating will also be available. All-wheel drive is an option.
The base Tiguan S has standard 17-inch wheels. The SE has 18-inch. The SE R-Line has 19-inch tires. A few blacked-out trim bits are included in the SE R-Line’s 19-inch wheels. The SEL R-Line, which is the most expensive, gets 20-inch tires and all the dark features that are standard across the R-Line range. Two new exterior colors will be available for the Tiguan in 2022: Kings Red and Oryx White. VW claims that the Tiguan now looks more like the Golf. It also has its SUV siblings, the Atlas Cross Sport, and the European-market Touareg.
Wheels |
Third Row |
All-Wheel Drive |
|
S |
17 Inches | N/A | N/A |
SE |
18 Inches | Optional | Optional |
SE RLine |
19 Inches | Optional | Optional |
SEL RLine |
20 Inches | Optional | Optional |
The cabin is where the most significant changes to the 2022 Tiguan’s design are made. The SUV features a multifunctional steering wheel and a redesign of the center stack, which houses a touchscreen. The latest VW infotainment software, MIB3, runs from the central screen. Every Tiguan now comes standard with a digital cluster of instruments. The standard digital instrument cluster measures 8.0 inches, while the optional screen measures 10.0 inches (standard for the SEL R-Line).
The Tiguan S has cloth seating, which is available in Titan Black or Storm Grey. While the SE and SE R line models get standard faux leather in four colors: Cinnamon and Horizon, Storm Grey and Titan Black. These two new color options will be available in 2022. The SE R-Line range-topper gets real leather seating in four color options: Titan Black Storm Grey, Noisette and Barrell Craft.
VW’s new “Travel Assist” safety suite is also available for 2022. The equipment includes adaptive cruise control with stop and go as well as lane keep assist. It is an option on the base Tiguan, but it comes standard on midrange models.
The same turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder engine that powered the Tiguan last year is still powering it. It still produces 184 horsepower (137kilowatts), and 221 poundfeet (311 Newton-meters), of torque. European buyers will be able to choose between a hot Tiguan R (235 kW) and a more efficient plug in hybrid (241 hp [180 kW]). However, VW states that it does not plan on making a hybrid model here in the US. The USA is still considering a Tiguan R.
American buyers who are interested in the new Tiguan must wait. The updated SUV will be available in Europe starting next month but it won’t arrive in America until next year. Volkswagen will not release pricing information until the SUV’s Stateside debut.