2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured clean lines and balanced proportions, which some might have found boring, but it had a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic that was likely to age well. It was large for its class, nearly as big inside as a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento, thanks to a long-wheelbase version. This resulted in a roomy and accommodating interior with plenty of space for four people, and the optional third-row seat expanded passenger capacity to seven, though at least three of those would need to be children.

Inside, the Tiguan combined modern geometric forms with a no-nonsense control layout, though the engine start button's location on the center console was unusual. The cabin featured shiny detailing, available digital instrumentation, and a flush touchscreen infotainment system, but it had too much hard plastic to be mistaken for an Audi. The steering wheel stalks also felt a bit flimsy. The Tiguan was available in S, SE, and SEL trims, with sporty R-Line variants, and pricing ranged from $25,245 to $39,095, excluding the $1,195 destination charge. The test vehicle, an SEL trim with 4Motion AWD, had a window sticker of $35,040, including the destination charge.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried over with minor modifications after numerous updates in 2021. The lineup was simplified to SE, SE with Technology, SEL, SEL R-Line, SEL R-Line Black, and SEL Premium R-Line trims, with most models having more standard features than the previous year. Pricing ranged from $34,355 to $51,505, plus a $1,195 destination charge. The test vehicle, an SEL Premium R-Line with extra-cost Aurora Red paint and second-row captain’s chairs, was priced at $53,790, including the destination charge.

The SEL Premium had standard R-Line design elements, including 21-inch wheels that filled out the Atlas’s exaggerated fenders, giving it an upscale look. The interior displayed simplicity with a premium flair, but many materials were crafted to a low cost point, with hard, shiny, and slippery plastic that was unacceptable for an SUV costing almost $54,000. Storage areas needed linings to prevent unwanted noise, vibration, and harshness, and low-gloss coatings on hard surfaces would have helped eliminate the disappointing quality.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 horsepower at 4,360 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels by default, with 4Motion AWD as a $1,400 option on most models and standard on the SEL Premium R-Line. The powertrain was adequate but suffered from turbocharger lag, making the engine feel breathless during passing or freeway merging. The nearly 4,000-pound curb weight contributed to this perception of lethargy.

The EPA rated the Tiguan at 25 mpg combined with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD, but testing showed an average of 22.6 mpg with AWD. Despite the powertrain's shortcomings, the Tiguan provided a pleasurable driving experience with light but responsive steering, a compliant ride, refined braking, and nimble handling. However, it struggled over sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks, and the tires gave up grip early in corners, encouraging slower driving. The Tiguan was quiet and composed on the highway, making long road trips more enjoyable.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas SE, SE with Technology, and SEL had a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm, requiring premium fuel for maximum output. An eight-speed automatic transmission distributed power to the wheels, with FWD or 4Motion AWD options. The turbo-four's maximum towing capacity was 2,000 pounds, and the EPA rated it at 22-23 mpg combined. The 3.6-liter V6 engine, standard on higher trims and optional on others, produced 276 hp at 6,200 rpm and 266 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and fuel economy estimates of 19-20 mpg combined.

The Atlas offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Active Control calibrations for 4Motion AWD. The V6 engine, though capable, lacked power, efficiency, and refinement, leading to dissatisfaction. The Atlas was bigger inside and out compared to rivals, with a squared-off hood making front corners easy to place. The SEL Premium R-Line's 21-inch wheels provided impressive grip but transmitted surface bumps to the cabin, resulting in a busy ride. The Atlas handled well but needed an adaptive-damping suspension option for better control on undulating pavement.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors and tall seating hip points for easy entry and exit. The front seats offered a wide range of adjustments, ensuring proper support and excellent visibility. The V-Tex leatherette upholstery mimicked real leather, and the dual-zone climate control system was effective. The back seat provided excellent support, generous legroom, and foot space, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for passengers. The Tiguan had a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat, with cargo volume ranging from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and a maximum capacity of 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas, with the discontinuation of the base S trim, no longer offered cloth seats. V-Tex leatherette seating was standard, along with heated front seats and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Higher trims added tri-zone automatic climate control, ambient cabin lighting, an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, and a panoramic sunroof. Genuine leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated second-row seats were available on the SEL Premium R-Line.

The Atlas excelled in interior space and comfort, seating seven people comfortably, even in the third row. The step-in height was relatively low, making entry and exit easy. The test vehicle had rear side-window sunshades to keep sunlight out of children’s eyes. The Atlas offered numerous storage areas, though many were unlined, causing items to vibrate and make noise. Cargo space was exceptional, with 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 55.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 96.8 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the next-generation Modular Infotainment Toolkit (MIB3) starting with the SE trim. MIB3 included an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing, and expanded features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi for up to four devices, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and Car-Net connected services. The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line had Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation. However, the voice recognition technology was lacking, and the standard six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music. The SEL Premium R-Line had a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas included the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster as standard, with an 8-inch display on lower trims and a 10.25-inch display on higher trims. The SE trim had a 6.5-inch touchscreen with last-generation infotainment, while higher trims featured the MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen, multi-device Bluetooth pairing, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and Car-Net connected services. The SEL Premium R-Line had a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system. The user experience had some issues, including slow loading times and a cumbersome process for tuning the radio. The voice recognition system also struggled without the Car-Net Hotspot and Speech Plus plans.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came with the IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control was standard on SE trim and higher, while lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist was added on the SEL. The SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights and front and rear parking sensors. The Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered an impressive list of safety features, including automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist, Side Assist, and Rear Traffic Alert. The SE with Technology added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking. The SEL trim included the full IQ Drive suite, with lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The SEL Premium R-Line had Area View and Park Assist technology. The Atlas did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and received four-star ratings for frontal-impact tests from the NHTSA.