2022 GMC Terrain vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet timeless design, distinguishing itself from its more ostentatious competitors. Its refreshed front styling aligned it with Volkswagen's larger models, featuring a restyled grille with the new VW logo and standard LED headlights. The Tiguan offered four trim levels in Canada, all with standard 4Motion AWD, and prices ranged from $33,395 to $43,395. The R-Line models boasted a sportier look, with the Highline R-Line featuring 20-inch wheels and a choice of five paint colours. Inside, the Tiguan Highline R-Line offered a luxurious cabin with leather upholstery, new technology, and ambient lighting, though 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 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, and interior trim, with the new AT4 trim level offering a bolder grille design and black 17-inch alloy wheels. Our test vehicle featured Ebony Twilight metallic paint and a black leather interior, along with several packages that increased its MSRP to $44,757. More affordable SLE and SLT trims were available, with the latter offering standard FWD. The Terrain's entry-level status was evident in its material quality, with a less intuitive pushbutton transmission control system and a narrow storage tray. Despite these drawbacks, the Terrain AT4 provided a comfortable ride with its four-wheel independent suspension and thick tire sidewalls, though it struggled off-road due to its low ground clearance and lack of grip from the sport-terrain tires.

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 decouple the rear axle to save fuel. Drivers could choose from Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings available. The Tiguan's Hill Descent Control system operated at speeds up to 30 km/h, but its 19 cm ground clearance limited its off-road capabilities. The Tiguan's suspension and steering provided a nimble and responsive driving experience, though turbo lag was noticeable when accelerating from a stop. Fuel efficiency was rated at 9.8 L/100 km in combined driving, with our test achieving 9.5 L/100 km.

The 2022 GMC Terrain featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 170 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 203 pound-feet of torque between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm. The nine-speed automatic transmission kept the Terrain in the torque band, though the absence of the previously available 2.0-litre engine was felt. The Terrain AT4 offered FWD and AWD modes, with an Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control system. Torque steer was an issue in FWD mode, but AWD mitigated this sensation. The Terrain's 20.1 cm ground clearance was lower than some competitors, and its off-road performance was hindered by its low height and lack of grip. Fuel economy was rated at 9.6 L/100 km in the city, 8.3 highway, and 9.0 combined with AWD, matching our test results.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among compact crossovers with its spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. The Highline R-Line trim offered leather-wrapped, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and excellent outward visibility. The second row provided ample headroom and legroom, accommodating adults and children alike. The switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard was less user-friendly, but cargo space remained impressive. In a two-row configuration, the Tiguan offered 1,064 litres of luggage volume, expanding to 2,078 litres with the rear seat folded.

The 2022 GMC Terrain provided a roomy interior with numerous comfort features and storage solutions. The AT4 trim included power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The back seat offered generous legroom and support, with a rear USB charging port. Despite a disappointing storage tray, the Terrain featured various storage slots throughout the cabin. Cargo space measured 838 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,792 litres with the rear seat folded. The front passenger seat could also be folded down for longer items.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came with standard digital gauges, with the Highline R-Line featuring a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available on all but the base Trendline, offered an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, and smartphone mirroring. The Highline R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system. While the MIB3's natural voice recognition was disappointing, the Tiguan offered an available Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems, with the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims featuring an 8-inch touchscreen. Both systems included Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and GMC Connected Services. The Infotainment Package II upgrade added connected navigation, improved voice recognition, and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was highly praised, though the Bose speakers were less impressive. The Tech Package option included a head-up display, park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard Front Assist and Side Assist systems, with available upgrades like Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance, while Emergency Assist could bring the SUV to a stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model's improvements could enhance its score.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came with a standard GMC Pro Safety Package, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. The optional GMC Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, though it earned a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain's crashworthiness at the time of this review.