The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan offers three rows of seating, which is highly unusual for a compact crossover/SUV. Other parts of the world offer a regular Tiguan and a long-wheelbase variant. In its wisdom, Volkswagen decided to bring only the long-wheelbase model to the United States.
This is how the 2022 Tiguan can seat seven. However, those two passengers at the back need to be the younger, smaller, and more agile family members. A long road trip in the rearmost seats won’t be ideal, but for school runs and the like, it saves spending extra on a larger vehicle, like a Kia Sorento.
The Tiguan also has another distinction. It’s Volkswagen’s best-selling model. Not only in the United States but also in the rest of the world. If the Golf was the successor to the old Beetle, the Tiguan is the new Golf.
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan S (Starting at $25,995)
The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan S in Onyx White, seen parked in the wilderness.
The main thing about the 3-row Tiguan is that this arrangement only comes in versions with front-wheel drive. (That’s the standard setup with the first three trims.) Once all-wheel drive is added, it’s two rows only – but cargo capacity grows to class-leading volume.
The entire 2022 Tiguan range benefits from minor revisions to the styling, LED headlights and taillights, spruced-up interior, an updated infotainment system, plus new color choices inside and out.
The 2022 Tiguan has enough driver aids in S trim – like forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and reverse automatic braking – to provide plenty of reassurance.
It also comes with heated front seats, an 8-inch digital driver information display, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, and the capability for Wi-Fi (available on subscription).
The main option bundle here is the IQ.Drive package ($895) bringing adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping/lane-centering to lighten the chore of long highway drives.
A destination charge of $1,195 is added to the MSRP, putting the 2022 Tiguan S at $27,190. All-wheel drive is an extra $1,500. Monthly payments on a front-drive S, with no money down and financing at 3% (VW may offer better deals occasionally) work out to $489 over 60 months. See 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan S models for sale
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan S Includes:
- Three seating rows — Available with front-wheel drive.
- Forward-collision warning — All safety features are welcome inclusions.
- Blind-spot monitoring — Keeps an unblinking eye on hard-to-see vehicles.
- Heated front seats — These usually cost extra in most rivals.
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SE (Starting at $29,495)
Although it’s a jump of $4,500 between the entry-level S and this SE, we’d still prefer this model. The extra driver assistance features of the IQ.Drive package become standard here.
It offers an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen instead of the 6.5-inch unit in the S, while simulated leather seating surfaces replace the cloth upholstery. Plus 18-inch alloy wheels, 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, wireless charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
The clincher for us, though, is the powered tailgate. The manual version in the S closes with a satisfying thud, but it’s quite heavy. A powered equivalent is more friendly for more users.
The only option with the SE is a panoramic sunroof at $1,200.
Using the same 60-month/3% APR/no-money-down formula on a front-drive 2022 Tiguan SE without the sunroof, monthly payments are $551. See 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SE models for sale
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SE Includes:
- 8-inch infotainment touchscreen — This is a better size than the S model’s.
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat — More convenient than manual adjustment.
- Powered tailgate — User-friendly.
- Wireless charging — Fewer cables mean a tidier cabin.
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SE R-Line Black (Starting at $32,295)
The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Black wears a coat of black paint.
VW reckons this will be the most popular new Tiguan variant. It sure has the right visual touches, with things like roof rails and 19-inch alloy wheels all finished in, naturally, black.
Extra features include 15-color ambient lighting, panoramic sunroof, and parking sensors at both ends.
Like the rest of the range, the SE R-Line Black employs a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough thrust for anything the Tiguan will typically be asked to do. But this isn’t a sporty machine, despite the impression given by the R-Line’s looks.
Instead, this compact crossover emphasizes comfort and a quiet cabin, while the light steering makes easy work of city driving.
We’re looking at monthly payments of $602, sticking to the same financial arrangement as above. See 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SE R-Line Black models for sale
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SE R-Line Black Includes:
- Panoramic sunroof — Creates an airier-feeling cabin.
- 15-color ambient cabin lighting — Makes the interior look cool.
- Front/rear parking sensors — They help prevent dents.
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line (Starting at $36,595)
The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line is seen in Atlantic Blue.
This range-topping model comes with all-wheel drive as standard, which means just two rows of seating.
It’s also packed with upmarket features like a self-parking system, heated/ventilated front seats, leather seating surfaces, memory settings for the driver’s seat, 10.3-inch digital driver information display, 360-degree camera system, road sign recognition, 20-inch alloy wheels, and 9-speaker Fender-branded audio setup.
It also benefits from a power-adjustable front passenger seat and automatic high beams. (Introducing them in the top version seems a bit stingy.)
Keeping with the same loan terms as above, monthly payments on a 2022 Tiguan SEL R-Line are $679. See 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line models for sale
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Includes:
- 10-inch digital cockpit — Adds to the cabin’s tech-richness.
- Ventilated front seats — Helps keep occupants cool in a fundamental way.
- Park Assist — Self-parking makes life so much easier.
- Area Assist — A 360-degree view of what’s around the car enhances safety.
