2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a standout in its class, boasting a design that was both conservative and timeless. Its refreshed exterior featured new front styling that aligned with Volkswagen’s larger models, a restyled grille with the new VW logo, and standard LED headlights. The Tiguan was available in four trim levels in Canada, all equipped with standard 4Motion all-wheel drive. 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 impressed with a rich cabin, perforated leather upholstery, 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 Hyundai Tucson, riding on a new platform, was offered in a long-wheelbase version in North America, providing ample cargo space. Its design was bold, with a parametric grille hiding LED lights and a unique side profile reminiscent of the Hyundai Elantra. The Tucson stood out with its toothy LED taillights and a choice of 17- or 19-inch alloy wheels, depending on the trim. High-end models featured premium fascias, gloss black pillars, and a panoramic sunroof. Inside, the Tucson was well-appointed, with stain-resistant cloth seats standard and leather-trimmed seats available on higher trims. The interior was spacious, with horizontal lines across the dashboard enhancing the sense of roominess.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and VW’s 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 suspension and steering provided a nimble and responsive driving experience, though it lacked the power and performance some might expect. Fuel efficiency was rated at 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving for R-Line grades.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain options: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, and a hybrid powertrain with a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine and electric motor, delivering 226 combined horsepower. The hybrid was notably more powerful and efficient, with a fuel consumption rating of 6.4 L/100 km combined. The Tucson’s AWD system performed well in off-road testing, and the hybrid powertrain provided a more engaging driving experience. A plug-in hybrid version was also planned, promising even more power and efficiency.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a spacious compact SUV, with an interior that rivalled smaller midsize SUVs. It offered an optional third row, though this compromised cargo space. In two-row configuration, the Tiguan provided 1,064 litres of luggage volume, expanding to 2,078 litres with the rear seats folded. The cabin was comfortable, with leather-wrapped front seats offering power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard proved challenging to use.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson was a budget-friendly compact SUV with a well-appointed interior. It offered a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat as standard, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. The Tucson’s new platform provided more space for passengers and cargo, with 1,095 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats. The rear seats offered ample legroom, and the cabin was spacious enough for a family of four. A 60-40 split-folding bench seat in the rear added versatility.

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 most trims, 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 touch controls were challenging to use.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, and a six-speaker audio system as standard. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a fully digital instrument cluster. The touchpoints on the centre console were responsive, though the lack of physical buttons made them difficult to use while driving. Steering wheel controls and voice commands were more reliable.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance, and Emergency Assist were available. The 2021 Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model’s new features could improve that score.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams as standard. Additional features like blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system were available. Hyundai’s SmartSense Safety Feature suite was comparable to what was found in luxury SUVs.