The Volkswagen Tiguan has long been a popular choice in the crowded compact SUV segment, lauded for its European driving dynamics and practical interior. The refreshed 2022 model year promised to build on this success, especially in the sporty R-Line trim. However, in an era of soaring fuel costs, the 2022 Tiguan R-Line 4Motion presents a significant issue that overshadows many of its appealing qualities: woeful fuel mileage. Is the stylish R-Line package enough to distract from its thirst for gasoline? Let’s delve into a detailed review.
Image: Front quarter view of a blue 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line showcasing its exterior design.
In previous encounters with the Tiguan, we appreciated its balanced handling, comfortable ride, and surprisingly spacious cabin for a compact crossover. It positioned itself competitively in terms of pricing and even offered an optional third-row seat, albeit best suited for children. The traditional Achilles’ heel of the Tiguan has been its unremarkable fuel economy, often lagging behind segment leaders. While older models averaged around 25 MPG in mixed driving conditions, placing it at the lower end of the competitive set against rivals like the Toyota RAV4, which achieves significantly better figures, particularly in hybrid form. The 2022 Tiguan R-Line, however, marks a stark and unwelcome decline.
During testing, the 2022 Tiguan R-Line 4Motion struggled to achieve a mere 21 MPG in combined driving. This figure is simply unacceptable in today’s economic climate where fuel prices are a major concern for consumers. Even highway driving failed to significantly improve efficiency, barely reaching 25 MPG. To put this into perspective, larger SUVs with more powerful engines, such as the Toyota Highlander V6, often achieve comparable or even better fuel economy. This disappointing MPG rating was observed under normal driving conditions, not aggressive or fuel-inefficient driving habits, raising serious questions about the Tiguan’s real-world efficiency.
Image: Side profile of the blue 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line highlighting its sleek lines and alloy wheels.
One might assume that this fuel economy penalty comes with a performance benefit, but unfortunately, the 2022 Tiguan R-Line is also notably slow. Under the hood resides a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. While these numbers seem adequate on paper, the Tiguan often feels underpowered in real-world driving. The throttle response in standard driving mode is sluggish, resulting in hesitant acceleration from a standstill. This is compounded by an eight-speed automatic transmission that frequently struggles to find the appropriate gear. For instance, when pulling away from a stop sign or attempting to merge onto a faster road, there’s an initial delay upon pressing the accelerator, followed by a sudden surge of power as the turbocharger engages. This uneven power delivery makes for a less than refined driving experience, especially in a modern vehicle. The 0-60 MPH acceleration time of 9.5 seconds further confirms its lack of performance, placing it among the slowest new vehicles available.
Stepping inside, the Tiguan R-Line presents a more positive picture. The interior has been updated with digital climate controls that offer a more modern and visually appealing aesthetic compared to the previous generation’s knobs. These controls are also reasonably intuitive to use. The Tiguan continues to impress with its interior space, offering a surprisingly generous amount of room for passengers and cargo, defying its compact classification. The Fender audio system, while not exceptional, provides decent sound quality and the branded logo adds a touch of premium appeal. Front seats are comfortable and supportive, and the leather-wrapped steering wheel feels premium in hand, although it is burdened with an excessive number of buttons. The digital instrument cluster is visually appealing but can feel cluttered with information, sometimes making it challenging to quickly locate desired data.
Image: Interior shot of the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line showcasing the spacious rear seats.
Externally, the 2022 Tiguan R-Line maintains its handsome and sophisticated styling. The R-Line trim adds sporty touches such as chrome accents, distinctive badging, and attractive alloy wheels. The tested vehicle’s blue paint further enhanced its visual appeal. The front fascia has been redesigned, appearing sleeker and more streamlined, contributing to a more modern look. While some may find the overall design somewhat conservative, it undeniably embodies a refined and unmistakably German aesthetic.
In terms of driving dynamics, the Tiguan continues to excel in handling, arguably being among the best in its class. The steering, while perhaps a touch light and overboosted for enthusiast drivers, is light and effortless for everyday driving, reducing fatigue. It remains precise and responsive, and the chassis exhibits good composure when driven with enthusiasm. The 4Motion all-wheel-drive system provides enhanced traction and stability, particularly in cornering. Ride quality is also commendable, effectively absorbing road imperfections and providing a comfortable experience, proving more composed than some competitors like the Hyundai Tucson on rough surfaces. It’s truly regrettable that the engine performance is so underwhelming because the Tiguan’s chassis is clearly capable of handling significantly more power.
Image: A detailed view of the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line interior, focusing on the dashboard and infotainment screen.
Pros:
- Handsome exterior styling, especially in R-Line trim
- Improved and modern interior design
- Spacious cabin for a compact SUV
- Competent handling and comfortable ride
Cons:
- Extremely disappointing fuel economy
- Underwhelming engine performance and acceleration
Verdict:
The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line 4Motion presents a mixed bag. While it retains its appealing exterior design, gains an updated interior, and offers enjoyable handling, the dismal fuel economy is a significant drawback that is hard to ignore. In a market increasingly sensitive to fuel efficiency, especially with rising gasoline prices, the Tiguan R-Line’s thirst for fuel makes it difficult to recommend. Unless the tested fuel economy proves to be an anomaly, potential buyers should seriously consider whether the Tiguan R-Line’s style and features outweigh its considerable penalty at the pump. The stylish R-Line trim and improved interior are not enough to compensate for such a fundamental flaw in today’s automotive landscape.
2022 VW Tiguan cargo space
Image: Rear cargo area of the 2022 VW Tiguan showcasing its practical storage capacity.
