2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet timeless design, characterized by its creased and symmetrical lines. This approach, while not overly emotive, appealed to those who appreciated simplicity and minimalism. The refreshed front styling aligned the Tiguan with Volkswagen’s larger models, featuring a restyled grille with the new VW logo and standard LED headlights. The interior of the Tiguan Highline R-Line was upscale, with perforated leather upholstery and ambient lighting, though the lower half's hard plastic hinted at its mass-market status. The R-Line models offered a sportier look, with the Comfortline R-Line Black Edition boasting a trendy blacked-out appearance.

In contrast, the 2022 Genesis GV70 stood out with its bold styling, diverging from the rest of the Genesis lineup. It featured the brand’s two-line lighting signature, creating an illusion of a contiguous circle around the vehicle. The GV70 offered six grades in Canada, with the Sport and Sport Plus grades receiving unique styling elements like a sculpted hood and dark chrome finishes. The interior was driver-focused, with a tall centre console and intuitive controls. The GV70 provided a wide range of colour combinations, with more than 100 options available, including exclusive matte paints for the Sport grades. The cabin featured high-quality materials, with quilted leather seats and carbon fibre inserts in the Sport trims.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This power was managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission and VW’s 4Motion AWD system, which could decouple the rear axle to save fuel. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, along with Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings. Despite its nimble handling, the Tiguan’s performance was somewhat limited by its engine, with a combined fuel efficiency of 9.8 L/100 km. The Tiguan’s suspension and steering provided a balanced ride, though it lacked the excitement of more performance-oriented vehicles.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options, with the 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 producing 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. This engine positioned the GV70 against mid-level performance competitors, with higher power figures than several German counterparts. The GV70 featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, with a rear axle bias. The Sport Plus grade included an electronic limited-slip differential, enhancing its performance capabilities. The GV70’s drive modes included Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, with the latter delivering aggressive throttle response and gear holding. The electronically controlled suspension system provided a smooth ride while maintaining driver feedback.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was notable for its spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered an optional third row, though this compromised cargo space. The Highline R-Line trim featured comfortable leather seats with power adjustments and excellent visibility. The second row provided ample headroom and legroom, accommodating adults and children alike. The Tiguan’s cargo space was generous, with up to 2,078 litres available in the two-row configuration. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard proved challenging to use.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 prioritized the driver with its interior design, featuring a tall centre console and intuitive controls. The climate controls were configured under a single pane, providing haptic feedback for ease of use. The GV70 offered standard heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, with ventilated seats available on higher trims. The rear space was enhanced by a panoramic sunroof and manual sunshades, though storage was limited. The GV70 provided 819 litres of cargo space behind the second row, expandable to 1,610 litres with the seats folded. The tonneau cover could be stowed under the rear load floor when not in use.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital gauges, with the Highline R-Line offering a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available on all but the base trim, included 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 audio system. However, the natural voice recognition system was disappointing, and the Park Assist system was standard on the Highline R-Line.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 excelled in technology, with a standard 14.5-inch high-definition LCD infotainment screen. The system allowed for a split-screen layout and included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The premium Sport Plus grade featured a 3D digital instrument cluster and a fingerprint recognition system for keyless start. The GV70 also offered a nine-speaker audio system, with an 18-speaker Lexicon surround sound system on top grades. USB ports were standard for both front and rear passengers.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard safety features like Front Assist and Side Assist. Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance, was available, though its touch-sensing controls were challenging to use. Emergency Assist was another upgrade, bringing the vehicle to a stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, with hopes for improvement in 2022.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered ten standard safety features, including blind spot collision avoidance and lane-keeping assist. A new rear occupant alert system used radar to detect movement in the second row. The Highway Driving Assist system included lane centring and automatic lane changing functions, though it required the driver’s hands on the wheel. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available, but the GV70’s systems were highly regarded.