2022 Nissan Armada vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a refined and conservative design that stood out among its competitors. Its creased and symmetrical styling, while not overly emotional, was appreciated for its simplicity and timelessness. The updated 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 added a sportier look, with the Highline R-Line showcasing a rich Atlantic Blue Metallic paint and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Tiguan Highline R-Line boasted a luxurious cabin with leather upholstery, new technology, and ambient lighting, though the lower half's hard plastic 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 Nissan Armada was a large and imposing SUV, designed to transport seven to eight people in comfort and style. Its exterior featured sculptural details, standard LED lighting, and chrome accents, giving it a luxurious appearance. The Armada's size was evident in its dimensions, with a length of 5,305 mm and a width of 2,030 mm. In Canada, the Armada SL came with standard features like LED fog lights, roof rails, and 20-inch alloy wheels, while the Platinum trim offered 22-inch diamond-cut aluminum-alloy wheels. Inside, the Armada provided spacious seating across three rows, with power-adjustable front seats and available captain's chairs in the second row. The Platinum grade added ventilated seats and quilted leather appointments, enhancing its luxury appeal. The Armada's size also translated to impressive cargo capacity, with up to 2,701 litres available when the second and third rows were folded down.

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. This power was managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission and VW's 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. Despite its 19 cm ground clearance, the Tiguan was best suited for well-traveled paths. Its suspension system included MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link independent rear suspension, with variable assist steering. While the Tiguan was enjoyable to drive once the torque kicked in, it experienced some turbo lag, and its fuel efficiency was rated at 9.8 L/100 km in combined driving.

The 2022 Nissan Armada was powered by a naturally aspirated 5.6-litre V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. In Canada, it came with standard 4WD and a seven-speed automatic transmission. The Armada's fuel consumption was rated at 17.5 L/100 km in the city, 12.9 on the highway, and 15.4 combined. Despite its weight of over 2,700 kg, the Armada offered impressive towing capacity of up to 3,855 kg. Its braking system included 13.8-inch vented disc brakes with hydraulic brake assist and electronic brake force distribution. The Armada's four-wheel independent suspension provided a comfortable ride, even on rough roads, and its 22-inch wheels on the Platinum model added to its appeal. While the Armada was not tested for 0-100 km/h times, it demonstrated strong acceleration and merging capabilities.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a spacious compact crossover, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered an optional third row, though our test vehicle was a two-row configuration. The Highline R-Line featured leather-wrapped front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The second row provided ample headroom and legroom, with rear air conditioning vents and a USB charging port. The Tiguan's cargo space was generous, with 1,064 litres behind the back seat and a maximum capacity of 2,078 litres. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard proved challenging to use.

The 2022 Nissan Armada excelled in interior space, accommodating seven to eight passengers comfortably. The first row featured power-adjustable bucket seats, while the second row offered a fold-flat bench or available captain's chairs. The third row was roomy enough for three passengers, with power folding and reclining functions. The Armada's cargo capacity was impressive, with 467 litres behind the third row, 1,413 litres with the third row folded, and 2,701 litres with both rear rows down. The Armada also included nine cupholders, four bottle holders, and numerous storage cubbies.

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, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Highline R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system. However, the MIB3's natural voice recognition was disappointing, and the Park Assist system was standard on the Highline R-Line.

The 2022 Nissan Armada featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with NissanConnect technology, offering a customizable split-screen option. Standard tech features included a wireless device charging pad, NissanConnect telematics services, navigation, and a rear-view monitor. The Armada also boasted a Bose audio system with 13 speakers, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wired Android Auto connectivity. Platinum models included a "Family Entertainment System" with dual 8-inch headrest monitors and wireless headphones.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan offered standard safety features like Front Assist and Side Assist, with available upgrades like Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. The 2021 Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model's standard LED headlights and advanced driver aids aimed to improve that score.

The 2022 Nissan Armada included the Nissan Safety Shield 360, featuring high beam assist, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Additional safety systems included adaptive cruise control, intelligent forward collision warning, and an available intelligent rear-view mirror. The Armada also had dual-stage front airbags, side impact airbags, and roof-mounted curtain airbags.