This is a sporty, fun-to-drive SUV with a smooth, willing engine and a well-coordinated automatic transmission

Volkswagen has given its compact SUV a handsome styling refresh for 2022 to help it look at home alongside the restyled Atlas and new Atlas Cross Sport mid-size SUVs. New LED headlamps, revised grille and bumpers, and new wheel designs give the 2022 Tiguan a more modern appearance. The Tiguan’s cabin receives updates as well, in the form of a new steering wheel with touch-sensitive controls. Heated seats and a digital gauge display are now standard across the lineup. All models except the base S also receive a new touch-sensitive climate control panel, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a semi-autonomous driving mode that VW calls Travel Assist. The Tiguan’s third row of seats remains an option.

Stepping up to the mid-range SE trim adds 18-inch wheels, a power-operated rear liftgate, lane-keeping assist, and the new semi-autonomous driving mode. A panoramic sunroof is a $1200 option on the SE and may be worth the upgrade for buyers who like to catch a few rays while driving.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Under the hood of every 2022, Tiguan is a turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 184 horsepower; front-wheel drive is standard but Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system is optional. This is a sporty, fun-to-drive SUV with a smooth, willing engine and a well-coordinated automatic transmission. Like most of its competitors it’s far from fast, but it makes up for that with a taut ride, athletic handling, and responsive steering with a whisper of sportiness that recalls VW’s well-respected GTI hot hatchback. The Tiguan’s brake-pedal action is soft and it doesn’t match up to the firm, progressive pedals we enjoy in other members of VW’s family tree.

Tiguan is one of the only vehicles in the class that can be had with seating for seven. It comes standard with cloth seating and partial power adjustment for the front seats.

Interior, Comfort and Cargo

The Tiguan’s interior is classically Volkswagen, meaning it is simple and functional and particularly stylish. Others offer more legroom in the second row, but the Tiguan is one of the only vehicles in the class that can be had with seating for seven. It comes standard with cloth seating and partial power adjustment for the front seats.

Opting into more expensive versions can net full power adjustment for the driver, faux-leather seating, and a panoramic sunroof. With just 12 cubic feet of cargo space behind the available third row, the Tiguan simply can’t be a hauling vehicle when the third row is in use. With the third row folded, the Tiguan’s cargo measurements put it about in the middle of this class for raw space. With all the seats folded, you can fit 19 of our carry-on boxes in the Tiguan.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Volkswagen’s infotainment system is sleek-looking but features touch-sensitive controls integrated into a large glass screen. The system comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so drivers who prefer their smartphone’s familiar interface to Volkswagen’s system are in luck; a Wi-Fi hotspot is standard. A 480-watt nine-speaker Fender audio system is available for audiophiles, but only in upper trims. All models come with either an 8.0- or 10.3-inch digital gauge display which can be reconfigured to display a variety of information.

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

What was previously the industry’s best bumper-to-bumper warranty at six years and 72,000 miles of coverage has been shortened to four years or 50,000 miles. To help make that reduced coverage a little easier to handle, all new Volkswagens offer two years of regularly scheduled maintenance included at no charge.