A Week With: 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SE R-Line Black

Shopping for a new vehicle has become more complicated thanks to the combination of supply chain disruptions and rising prices, which are narrowing consumer choices even as the industry undergoes rapid shifts across the board.

The 2022 VW Tiguan jumps into an extremely competitive segment and more than holds its own.

Brands such as Volkswagen, which have long appealed to a diverse set of customers, are making an effort to spice up product lines by dressing up the vehicles at the heart of their product line with new features. 

For the R-Line Black version of the Tiguan these include unique bumpers, body-color side sills, and R-Line badging and an ambient lighting system at night, as well as forward collision alert and an alert to making parking easier.

The Tiguan R-Line also has extra power thanks turbo-charged, multi-valve, 4-cylinder engine and the solid-driving dynamics, which flow from VW’s tradition of building tight chassis that handle well on the open road and had a bit of pleasure to the experience behind the wheel.

Exterior

Volkswagen has a history of coming up with some clever and unique shapes such as the Beetle and the VW Bus. But the Tiguan stays true to the two-box convention, which is the breeding ground for compact utility vehicles. 

Tiguan stays true to the two-box convention, which is the breeding ground for compact utility vehicles.

However, VW’s designers do a smart job of making the vehicle’s front face look distinctive and authoritative, which dressing up the corners with LED lights and well-crafted 19-inch wheel designs. 

The design of the rear liftgate is very basic, but works well with the overall design themes, which are built around a straightforward simplicity VW’s customers, who come from very different cultures around the world, have found appealing. 

Interior

As one of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers, Volkswagen purchases the materials used across the interiors of its vehicles in bulk, which helps keep the costs in check. It is also a practice or skill that has become increasingly valuable at time when prices are rising rapidly. But while VW buys in bulk, its designers work at ensuring the interior look more expensive and the interior of R-Line Tiguan with its special stitching and steel pedal caps underscores their skill. 

The Tiguan seats five adults comfortably and a third row is available — but only comfortable for small children and leprechauns.

The interior is neatly laid out with all the controls within easy reach. Even the cup holders are in a convenient place. The screen in the center stack is relatively small by contemporary standards but still works well. The Tiguan I drove had three rows of seats, but the addition of third row seats struck me as rather whimsical since it seems the only creatures that might be able to use them are leprechauns. 

Powertrain

The 2022 Tiguan SE R-Line Black is powered by a 2.0-liter, multi-valve 4-cylinder engine with double overhead cams and twin turbos. The engine matched up with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain is equipped with a mode selector and a stop-start function. 

The fuel economy, a rising concern now, is adequate for today’s internal combustion powertrains. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved a 26 mpg combined rating for the Tiguan, which includes 23 mpg for city driving and 30 mpg for highway driving.

Safety and Technology

The Tiguan can come equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan is equipped with an advanced airbag system with six airbags to protect the driver and passengers, electronic stability control, rear-view camera, park-distance alert front and rear and hill-hold assist. 

It also is equipped with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, forward-collision alert with pedestrian monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and rear-traffic alert. It also comes with adjustable onboard lighting, Sirius XM Radio, a six-speaker sound system, App Connect, Bluetooth, USB port and wireless and USB charging

Driving Impressions

Volkswagen has a well-deserved reputation for building cars with solid chassis and suspensions that do well under all kinds of road conditions and the Tiguan delivers some impressive driving dynamics in a segment where ride and handling seem to be an afterthought.  

The Tiguan conveys the sense of being well balanced and responsive right up from the electric-powered steering gear. The 2.0-liter turbo in the engine compartment also is quick, responsive and has ample power to pull away from traffic when the driver thinks it is necessary.

2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SE R-Line Black Specifications

Dimension	L: 186.1 inches/W: 72.1 inches/H: 66.5 inches/Wheelbase: 109.9 inches
Weight	3,856 pounds
Powertrain	2.0-liter turbocharged, multivalve 4-cylinder; 8-speed automaker
Fuel Economy	23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg combined
Performance Specs	184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque
Price	Base price: $25,995; As tested: $32,290 including $1,195 destination charge
On-Sale Date	Available now

Wrap Up

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SE R-Line Black is not a perfect vehicle. But it is a nicely appointed, well-balanced vehicle that is versatile enough to serve as a family vehicle and efficient enough for commuting. It also has an impressive powertrain and performance. By today’s standards, at $32,295, it’s modestly priced, which makes a good value for the money — unless you really need three rows of seats. 

2022 VW Tiguan SE R-Line Black ­— Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan have third-row seating?

The Tiguan FWD models are the only ones with third-row seating, but the 2022 update didn’t bring any more space back there. It’s still a bench seat for kids, and small ones at that. Adults should stick to the first two rows. Better yet, keep the third row folded most of the time and take advantage of the Tiguan FWD’s 33-cubic-foot cargo area.

What are the new features of the Volkswagen Tiguan?

The trim level also includes parking sensors, 15-color LED ambient interior lighting, the R-Line touch-control steering wheel, and a panoramic sunroof. More generally, the second-generation Tiguan line-up has been updated with a minor face-lift that gives the crossover a tougher and more contemporary look.

What is the difference between the 2022 Honda CR-V and Tiguan?

Cabin ambient lighting and a wireless phone charger aren’t available on the 2022 CR-V until the top Touring trim, but they come standard on the Tiguan SE R-Line Black (which roughly aligns with Honda’s EX-L trim). The Tiguan also has the bigger touchscreen and 40/20/40 second row (the CR-V is equipped with a 60/40 second row).

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