2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet timeless design, distinguishing itself from its less aesthetically pleasing competitors. Its creased and symmetrical styling, 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 an optional illuminated grille bar. Standard LED headlights, new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate, and redesigned aluminum wheels added to its appeal. In Canada, the Tiguan was available in four trim levels, all with standard 4Motion AWD, and prices ranged 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 Highline R-Line trim boasted 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, a heated steering wheel, and keyless entry with push-button start.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan continued with the design updates from the previous year, maintaining its conservative yet graceful appearance. In Canada, it was offered in the same four trim levels, with prices ranging from $36,675 to $47,175. The test vehicle, equivalent to the Canadian Highline R-Line trim, featured Atlantic Blue paint and Storm Grey leather seats, though some colour combinations were restricted by trim level. Standard equipment included keyless entry with remote start and an 8-way power driver’s seat. The Highline R-Line trim stood out for its sporty appearance and 20-inch machined-finish wheels, giving it a more expensive look. The interior, while upscale, had some materials that reminded occupants of its mid-$30,000s starting price. The cabin featured quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, soft-touch materials, and impressive digital instrumentation. The 2023 Tiguan offered a solidly constructed feel, with excellent outward visibility and nimble handling, aided by the top trim’s surround-view camera and parking sensors.

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 50% of power to the rear wheels. Drivers could choose between Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with an Active Control system offering Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings. The Tiguan’s Hill Descent Control system engaged in Offroad mode, but with only 19 centimetres of ground clearance, it was best suited for well-traveled paths. The suspension system included MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link independent rear suspension, with variable assist steering that adjusted based on speed. The engine’s torque arrived later than some competitors, resulting in momentary turbo lag when accelerating from a stop. Fuel efficiency was rated at 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a test drive averaging 9.5 L/100 km. The Tiguan offered nimble handling in normal driving situations, but pushing it for more fun revealed limitations in the tires and suspension.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan continued with the same turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 4Motion AWD system was standard in Canada, with driving modes including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual. The AWD system could send up to 50% of power to the rear wheels. Fuel economy for the R-Line trims was rated at 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, though testing resulted in 10.4 L/100 km. The Tiguan’s powertrain provided adequate power, but passing slower vehicles or taking advantage of traffic gaps required more effort. Turbo lag was noticeable from a stop, and the automatic transmission occasionally stumbled with delayed downshifts. The Tiguan’s dynamic qualities were otherwise rewarding, with light and lively steering, excellent tire grip, and stable handling. The ride was compliant without unwanted body motions, and road noise communicated road texture and anomalies. The Tiguan offered excellent outward visibility and nimble handling, aided by the top trim’s surround-view camera and parking sensors.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a spacious compact crossover, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered an optional third row, though it compromised cargo space. The Highline R-Line trim featured comfortable leather front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The panoramic sunroof allowed ample light into the cabin, and outward visibility was excellent. The second row provided generous headroom and legroom, accommodating adults and children in reverse-facing seats. The test vehicle included rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and ample storage. Touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard were a new addition, though they were harder to use than traditional buttons. Cargo space was among the best in its class, with 1,064 litres behind the second row and 2,078 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a roomy interior with a standard third-row seat in certain configurations, though it reduced cargo space. The test vehicle featured comfortable leather front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, along with a heated steering wheel. Storage space was generous, though the bin under the centre armrest was small. The dashboard’s touch-sensing controls were difficult to use, with reflections obscuring markings and accidental activations. The Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with large rear door openings and a spacious back seat. The hands-free power liftgate revealed a cavernous cargo area with adjustable load floor height and handy levers for folding seats. With AWD, the Tiguan offered 1,064 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 2,078 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital gauges, with the Highline R-Line trim offering a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system was available in all but the base Trendline trim, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, App-Connect smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Highline R-Line trim included a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system. The MIB3’s natural voice recognition was disappointing, and it was recommended to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The Tiguan also offered an available Park Assist system, standard on the Highline R-Line trim.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan included digital instrumentation, with R-Line trims featuring a 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system had a 6.5-inch touchscreen in lower trims, while others had an 8-inch touchscreen with touch-sensitive buttons and physical control knobs. The top-of-line test vehicle included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, Car-Net connected services, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a nine-speaker Fender premium sound system. The system’s user interface was complex, with multi-layer processes for simple tasks. The voice-recognition system underperformed, likely due to inactive subscriptions. The Tiguan’s technology introduced unnecessary complexity and distraction.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard Front Assist and Side Assist, with forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance, though touch-sensing controls made it difficult to engage. Emergency Assist operated with Travel Assist, slowing the SUV if the driver was unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, with hopes for improvement in 2022.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard Front Assist and Side Assist, with additional safety features in the IQ.Drive package. This included adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The Tiguan also offered Light Assist, Park Assist, parking sensors, and an Area View surround-view camera system. The safety technology worked well, with Travel Assist performing smoothly. The 2023 Tiguan’s crash-test ratings were incomplete, with concerns about the driver’s door unlatching during a side-impact test. The IIHS gave the 2023 Tiguan a Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2022, though it did not apply for 2023.