The lineup and its pricing
Apart from the withdrawal of the front-wheel drive variant, the lineup remains the same this year, so the party kicks off with the $32,995 Trendline model. It offers heated seats, roof rails and connectivity. Next comes the Comfortline model at $36,795, which adds items like dual-zone climate control, wireless cell phone connection and charging, as well as a power liftgate.
To the Comfortline can be added the R-Line Black Edition package and its black accents, R-Line logos and ambient lighting, among other things. This trim-package combo will set buyers back $39,495.
The offer concludes with the Highline R-Line proposition, priced at $42,995. Here, of course, it's everything-but-the kitchen-sink time, with leather seats, navigation, ventilated seats and the aforementioned illuminated grille thrown in.
Note that a third row of seats is available, for $800. While if it's only for short-distance convenience, the extra people capacity is still the exception rather than the rule in the compact SUV segment.
Lastly, the Comfortline model can receive an optional sunroof ($1500).
Specifications sheet of 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Trendline
Specifications sheet of 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Comfortline
Specifications sheet of 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Comfortline R-Line Black Edition
Specifications sheet of 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline R-Line
The last word
A more complete and much more interesting Tiguan is waiting for buyers at dealerships in 2022. That doesn't make it the best of its class, but it puts it back in the discussion in terms of competitiveness with its rivals.
Most importantly, Volkswagen fixed what most needed to be, and that glaring drawback is no longer one. Which helps draw attention where I’m sure VW wants it to be, on the model’s strengths rather than its weaknesses, which makes all the difference.
We like
Better value from the offering for 2022
Much better engine/transmission performance
Acceleration is more straightforward, linear and regular
We like less
The over-abundance of touch controls
Still some hesitation when starting off
The drive overall is still very neutral
The competition
Chevrolet Equinox
Ford Escape
Ford Bronco Sport
GMC Terrain
Honda CR-V
Hyundai Tucson
Jeep Cherokee
Kia Sportage
Mazda CX-5
Mazda CX-50
Mitsubishi Outlander
Nissan Rogue
Subaru Forester
Toyota RAV4
