2022 Acura RDX vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was designed with a conservative yet attractive aesthetic that made it stand out among its often less visually appealing competitors. Its creased, folded, and symmetrical design was refreshing and promised longevity in style. This year, new front styling brought it in line with Volkswagen's larger Atlas models. The updated grille featuring the new VW logo, LED headlights, and redesigned aluminum wheels all contributed to its improved appearance.

Volkswagen also decided to simplify the Tiguan lineup for 2022, offering trims in S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The price range was between $25,995 and $36,995, with an additional destination charge of $1,195. Our evaluated SEL R-Line model, equipped with 4Motion AWD and an accessory cargo cover, came to $37,970 MSRP. The R-Line trims, especially the SE R-Line Black, added a sportier or trendy blacked-out look.

The Tiguan SEL R-Line’s interior featured a richer aesthetic with perforated and piped leather upholstery, new technology, touch-sensing controls, and ambient lighting in 15 different color options. Metallic accents gave it an upscale appearance, although the lower part of the cabin’s hard plastic revealed its mass-market branding.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Acura RDX underwent subtle styling revisions inspired by the larger MDX model. The changes included modified grille surrounds and bumpers, updated wheels, and new paint colors. Acura also reintroduced the limited-production RDX PMC Edition in exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint with an Orchid white interior.

The RDX lineup included base, Technology, A-Spec, Advance, and A-Spec Advance packages, with starting prices from $42,300 to $53,300 (excluding a $1,045 destination charge). Our test model boasted the new A-Spec Advance package, with an additional-cost Apex Blue Pearl paint and Orchid interior, bringing its total to $53,645 including the destination charge.

High-quality materials, solid build quality, and a notably quieter interior characterized the RDX A-Spec Advance. The thick steering wheel, snug seats, and responsive drivetrain aimed to justify its premium pricing, making the RDX an attractive choice for those prioritizing luxury and quiet comfort.

For 2022, the Volkswagen Tiguan had no significant powertrain changes. It continued to rely on a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque starting at 1,900 rpm. Power was managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission, directing power to the front wheels unless opting for VW’s 4Motion AWD system, which could send up to half the power to the rear wheels when necessary.

Drivers could select from Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, all standard across trims. With 4Motion AWD, additional settings like Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad were available. The Tiguan offered a decent ride height of 7.6 inches, but shallow approach, breakover, and departure angles limited its off-road capabilities.

On-road, the Tiguan featured variable assist steering, MacPherson strut front suspension, multi-link independent rear suspension, and adequate brake dimensions. However, the engine displayed some turbo lag, potentially requiring drivers to be cautious when needing quick acceleration.

In contrast, the 2022 Acura RDX housed a more powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque between 1,600 and 4,500 rpm. This engine quickly delivered thrust, enhancing its driving dynamics. However, heavy acceleration negatively impacted its fuel efficiency, which averaged at 20.6 mpg during testing, compared to the EPA rating of 23 mpg.

A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters was standard. The RDX’s adaptive damping suspension, found in the Advance and A-Spec Advance packages, offered distinct driving modes via the revised Integrated Dynamics System (IDS), ranging from a smoother ride in Comfort mode to greater responsiveness in Sport mode.

The RDX also featured the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system in higher trims, offering impressive torque vectoring for refined handling, especially on twisty roads. Nevertheless, despite these dynamic attributes, it didn’t quite meet the standards of true sports variants like the Audi SQ5 or BMW X3 M40i but remained highly capable for everyday driving scenarios.

The 2022 VW Tiguan was notable for its spacious interior, comparing favorably to some midsize SUVs. The Tiguan’s interior offered ample room, with FWD models even including a standard third-row seat—absent in AWD versions. Our SEL R-Line came with leather-wrapped, power-adjustable, heated and ventilated front seats that provided excellent comfort and visibility, with a panoramic sunroof adding to the airy feel.

The second-row seats in the Tiguan were generously sized and could accommodate adults comfortably or children in car seats. This model also featured rear air conditioning vents, USB charging, and ample storage. Yet, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard, while sophisticated, proved cumbersome in practical use.

Cargo capacity differed depending on configuration. FWD models with the third-row seat offered a modest 12 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 65.5 cubic feet with seats folded. Our AWD model boasted 37.6 cubic feet behind the backseat, extending to 73.4 cubic feet with seats down—impressive for its class.

The 2022 Acura RDX, while a compact SUV, provided plenty of space for four adults and their luggage beneath a standard panoramic sunroof. Inside, the RDX emphasized a sporty driving position with elements like an oversized IDS knob on the dash. However, the unusual layout of transmission buttons and True Touchpad Interface (TTI) for infotainment control required acclimation.

Front seats in the RDX were 12-way power-adjustable, heated, and offered ventilated options. The new thick-rimmed, flat-bottom steering wheel, with available heating, and the dual-zone automatic climate control were standard features. However, the rear seats were less comfortable, feeling flat and lacking support, likely designed for maximizing cargo space.

Cargo capacity with the rear seats up was 29.5 cubic feet, increasing to 58.9 cubic feet with the seats folded, complemented by under-floor storage compartments. Both vehicles offered practical and spacious interiors, though the Tiguan held a slight edge in cargo versatility and total space.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with standard digital instrumentation called Digital Cockpit, utilizing an 8-inch or advanced 10.25-inch display in the SEL R-Line. The MIB3 infotainment system featured in all but the base model, included an 8-inch touchscreen with standard Car-Net services, App-Connect, and SiriusXM. The SEL R-Line added navigation and a premium nine-speaker Fender audio system.

However, voice recognition features within MIB3, which required additional subscriptions, fell short during testing. Additional Car-Net subscription plans for remote access and safety features added potential annual costs of around $250. An available Park Assist system could autonomously steer the SUV into parking spaces, adding convenience.

The 2022 Acura RDX’s infotainment, described as TTI, involved a complex touchpad mechanism. The 10.2-inch display was controlled through a sectioned touchpad, designed to mimic touchscreen inputs through a corresponding relationship between touchpad and screen. This setup required acclimation and felt more complex than traditional touchscreens.

The RDX compensated with Amazon Alexa Built-in for natural voice commands, reducing reliance on TTI. Additional features included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, and AcuraLink connected services with a WiFi hotspot and satellite radio. Navigation was standard with higher trims, complemented by optional premium ELS Studio audio systems.

For 2022, the VW Tiguan’s base model started with Front Assist and Side Assist features, incorporating forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, along with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The IQ Drive suite added Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering for speeds over 40 mph, and Emergency Assist, ensuring the vehicle could come to a safe stop if the driver became unresponsive.

Last year’s Tiguan earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick rating, with 2022’s enhancements, potentially fortifying this safety record.

The 2022 Acura RDX aimed to maintain its Top Safety Pick+ rating with structural side-impact upgrades. New features included a rear seatbelt reminder system, along with enhanced AcuraWatch driver-assist technologies like pedestrian detection and improved blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist.

AcuraWatch now included front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking in higher trims. The NHTSA awarded the RDX a five-star overall rating, with four-star frontal-impact and rollover resistance, and five-star side-impact ratings.