2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet timeless design, distinguishing itself from its often less aesthetically pleasing competitors. Its refreshed exterior featured new front styling that aligned with Volkswagen’s larger models, such as the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport. The restyled grille, adorned with the new VW logo and an optional illuminated grille bar, added a modern touch. Standard LED headlights, new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate, and redesigned aluminum wheels further enhanced its appeal. In Canada, the Tiguan was available in four trim levels, all equipped with standard 4Motion all-wheel drive, with prices ranging from $33,395 to $43,395. The R-Line models offered a sportier look, with the Comfortline R-Line Black Edition featuring a trendy blacked-out appearance. Inside, the Tiguan Highline R-Line boasted a luxurious cabin with leather upholstery, new technology, and ambient lighting, although the hard plastic in the lower half of the cabin hinted at its mass-market status. Standard features included heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, with additional options like a panoramic sunroof available.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4, designed as an electric vehicle from the ground up, showcased a distinctive look that set it apart from its gasoline counterparts. It replaced the straight lines and sharp angles of traditional crossovers with a streamlined profile and wheels pushed to the corners of the body. Built on VW’s EV-specific MEB platform, the ID.4 followed the European-market ID.3 hatchback. While it didn’t resemble a traditional SUV, it offered a blend of Volkswagen’s minimalism and a smartphone aesthetic in its interior design. The ID.4 provided more front and rear headroom than competitor EVs, although legroom was average for the segment. Cargo space was competitive, with 858 litres available with the rear seats in place and 1,818 litres with them folded. The ID.4 lacked a “frunk” for extra storage, but its interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility. The control setup, featuring a twist-grip gear selector and haptic touchpads, was innovative but required some adjustment for drivers accustomed to traditional controls.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,900 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the 4Motion AWD system, which could send up to half of the power to the rear wheels. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, along with Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings. In Offroad mode, the Hill Descent Control system engaged at speeds up to 30 km/h. The Tiguan’s suspension and steering provided a nimble and responsive driving experience, although it lacked the power and performance some might expect. Fuel efficiency was rated at 9.8 L/100 km in combined driving, with our test drive averaging 9.5 L/100 km.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was available in two powertrain configurations. The base RWD version featured a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. An AWD version added a second electric motor for a total output of 295 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. The ID.4’s RWD setup provided balanced handling, with the electric motor delivering instantaneous torque for a fun driving experience. However, the ID.4 was tuned for comfort rather than sportiness, with a smooth ride over bumps and potholes. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 relied on friction brakes, with regenerative braking available in “B” mode but not allowing for one-pedal driving.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among compact crossovers with its spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered an optional third row, although this compromised cargo space. The Highline R-Line trim provided exceptional comfort with leather-wrapped, power-adjustable front seats and a panoramic sunroof. The second row was roomy, accommodating adults and children alike. Cargo space was generous, with 1,064 litres behind the back seat and a maximum capacity of 2,078 litres in the two-row configuration. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard proved challenging to use.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 felt spacious compared to other EVs, with more front and rear headroom than competitors. Cargo space was competitive, with 858 litres available with the rear seats in place and 1,818 litres with them folded. The ID.4 lacked a “frunk” for extra storage, but its interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility. The control setup, featuring a twist-grip gear selector and haptic touchpads, was innovative but required some adjustment for drivers accustomed to traditional controls. The ID.4’s heated steering wheel and front seats proved effective during cold weather testing.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital gauges, with the Highline R-Line offering a more sophisticated Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen, was standard on most trims, offering Car-Net connected services, smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Highline R-Line included a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system. However, the natural voice recognition system was disappointing, and the touch-sensing controls were challenging to use. The Tiguan also offered an available Park Assist system.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came with a standard 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a 12-inch screen optional. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a 5.3-inch display screen serving as the instrument cluster. The haptic touchpads were difficult to use, lacking tactile feedback. The ID.4 featured a natural-language voice-control system, although it was slow to respond. The ID.Light, a light strip at the base of the windshield, communicated information to the driver but was easily forgotten. The touchscreen was well-positioned, with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

For 2022, the Volkswagen Tiguan included standard Front Assist and Side Assist safety features. Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance, and Emergency Assist, which could bring the vehicle to a stop if the driver was unresponsive, were available. The 2021 Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model’s LED headlights and driver aids could improve that score.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA for RWD versions. It offered a variety of driver aids, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Travel Assist and Emergency Assist were new standard features, with Travel Assist performing well in testing.