2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among its competitors with a conservative yet elegant design. Its refreshed front styling aligned it with Volkswagen’s larger models, featuring a new grille, standard LED headlights, and redesigned aluminum wheels. The SEL R-Line trim, in particular, boasted a sportier look with blacked-out elements and a striking Atlantic Blue Metallic paint. Inside, the Tiguan offered a sophisticated cabin with leather upholstery, new technology, and ambient lighting, though the hard plastic in the lower half of the cabin hinted at its mass-market status.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V had a more generic appearance, blending in with other compact crossovers. While it had some distinguishing features like the grille and chromed plastic accents, it wasn’t a vehicle chosen for its looks. The CR-V came in eight colors, though most were shades of gray, black, or white, with vibrant options limited to higher trims. Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seats and optional wood panels and chrome accents, but it faced stiff competition from more stylish rivals like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels, with an optional 4Motion AWD system available. The Tiguan offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, with additional Offroad settings for AWD models. Despite its decent torque, the Tiguan experienced some turbo lag, and its fuel economy was average at 24 mpg combined. The ride and handling were nimble and responsive in normal driving but lacked excitement when pushed harder.

The 2021 Honda CR-V featured a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all trims, with a 0-60 mph time of around 7.8 seconds. It came with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that provided smooth but unengaging acceleration. The CR-V offered FWD as standard, with AWD available as an option. Its suspension setup was similar to other vehicles in its class, with a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension. The CR-V’s handling and ride quality were decent, though not particularly thrilling, and it faced competition from models with more engaging drivetrains.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a spacious compact crossover, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered a standard third-row seat in FWD models, though this feature was absent in AWD versions. The SEL R-Line trim provided exceptional comfort with leather seats, power adjustments, and a panoramic sunroof. The second row was roomy enough for adults and children alike. Cargo space was generous, with up to 73.4 cubic feet available in AWD models. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard proved challenging to use.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, fitting five people comfortably and offering ample cargo space. It had 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of total cargo volume with the rear seats folded. Depending on the trim, the CR-V featured manual, power, or hands-free tailgate operation. Roof rails were standard only on the top Touring trim. The CR-V’s interior was practical and spacious, making it a strong contender for families needing both passenger and cargo space.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came with standard digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line featuring a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. Most trims had the MIB3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, while the base S trim used MIB2 with a 6.5-inch screen. The MIB3 system included Car-Net connected services, smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. However, the natural voice recognition feature required a subscription upgrade. The Tiguan also offered a Park Assist system for autonomous parking in the SEL R-Line trim.

The 2021 Honda CR-V’s base LX trim had a basic 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth, while other trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The audio system varied by trim, with the Touring trim offering a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were plentiful, with USB ports in the front and second rows, and the Touring trim added a wireless phone charger. The Touring trim also included a satellite navigation system with voice recognition.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came with standard Front Assist and Side Assist on the base S trim. The IQ Drive system included Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist, which could bring the vehicle to a stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model’s new features aimed to improve this score.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system, which included forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps as standard on all trims. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, which became standard on the EX trim and above.