2022 Ford Bronco vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among its competitors with a design that was creased, folded, and symmetrical, leaning towards conservatism. This approach, while not eliciting strong emotional responses, aged well and appealed to fans of simplicity and minimalism. The refreshed front styling aligned the Tiguan with Volkswagen’s larger Atlas models, featuring a restyled grille with the new VW logo and an available illuminated grille bar. Standard LED headlights, new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate, and redesigned aluminum wheels added to its refined look. The R-Line models, particularly the SE R-Line Black, sported a trendy blacked-out appearance, and the Atlantic Blue Metallic paint on the SEL R-Line test vehicle looked impressive with its 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line boasted a richer-looking cabin with perforated and piped leather upholstery, new technology, touch-sensing steering wheel and climate controls, and ambient lighting with 15 color choices. The interior featured tastefully rendered metallic accents, giving it an upscale appearance, though the hard plastic on the lower half of the cabin revealed its mass-market status. Standard features included keyless entry, push-button engine starting, and heated front seats, with remote engine starting available from the SE trim. The updated 2022 Tiguan retained its great looks while adding extra pizzazz, keeping it fresh until a full redesign.

The 2022 Ford Bronco, with its attractive retro styling and go-anywhere attitude, was one of the most sought-after vehicles. Returning after a successful debut, it introduced two new range-topping models: the Everglades and the Bronco Raptor. The Everglades, built for swamp trekking and deep water, featured an intake snorkel, a Warn winch, and 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires. The Bronco lineup expanded to seven trims, each with increasing off-road capabilities. Despite being sold out for 2022, buyers could choose between two-door or four-door body styles, four-cylinder or six-cylinder engines, and removable roofs with soft- or hard-top options.

All Broncos were designed with off-roading in mind, featuring short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, tall ride heights, large recovery hooks, removable fender flares, a full-size spare mounted to the tailgate, and modular construction for easy customization. Inside, the Bronco continued its utilitarian theme with sealed switches, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and drain plugs for easy cleaning. The G.O.A.T. mode dial allowed drivers to select specific terrain modes, while the digital instrument panel and large infotainment touchscreen added modern conveniences. The Bronco’s rugged look and impressive capabilities made it a favorite, though its high demand and marked-up prices were a downside.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,900 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the front wheels, with an optional 4Motion AWD system that could send up to half the power to the rear wheels. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and programmable Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings for AWD models. Despite its 7.6 inches of ground clearance, the Tiguan was best suited for well-traveled paths. The MacPherson struts in front and multi-link independent rear suspension, along with variable assist steering, provided a nimble and responsive driving experience. However, the engine’s torque arrived later than some turbocharged engines, resulting in momentary turbo lag. The Tiguan’s fuel economy was decent, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg combined for the R-Line with 4Motion.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered a base turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, and an optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine with 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed manual transmission was available for the four-cylinder engine, while a 10-speed automatic was standard for the V6 and optional for the four-cylinder. All Broncos came with four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case. The Bronco’s off-road prowess was evident across its lineup, with models like the Wildtrak and Everglades excelling in challenging terrains. The Everglades, tested on Drummond Island, handled deep-rutted muddy trails, water crossings, and rock climbs with ease. On pavement, the Bronco’s steering and ride quality were superior to its rival, the Jeep Wrangler, making it a better road trip companion. Wind noise was a minor complaint, but overall, the Bronco excelled in both off-road and on-road performance.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a giant among compact crossover SUVs, with an interior spacious enough to rival smaller midsize SUVs. The FWD models featured a standard third-row seat, while 4Motion models did not. The SEL R-Line offered exceptional comfort with leather-wrapped, eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation. The second row was roomy and comfortable for adults and children alike. The switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard was a notable change, though they were harder to use than traditional buttons. Cargo space was among the best in its class, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down in the 4Motion model.

The 2022 Ford Bronco’s iconic squared-off styling contributed to its abundance of interior space. Headroom and legroom were ample, even for tall passengers, though accessing the rear seats in the two-door model required some effort. Cargo capacity varied by model and roof type, with the two-door hard top offering up to 52.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and the four-door hard top providing up to 77.6 cubic feet. Clever storage solutions included large armrest bins, netted door pockets, and rubberized phone trays. The Bronco also featured stowable doors and removable fender flares for added utility. External hard mounting points and hidden anchors enhanced its practicality for off-road adventures.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line offering a more sophisticated Digital Cockpit Pro system with a 10.25-inch display. The MIB3 infotainment system, available in all but the base Tiguan S, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, App-Connect smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The SEL R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system. However, the natural voice recognition feature required a Plus Speech upgrade and an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription. The Remote Access plan was complimentary for five years, allowing remote engine start, door lock operation, and vehicle location tracking. The Tiguan also offered an available Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2022 Ford Bronco smartly used technology to enhance its off-road capabilities while keeping the driver engaged. The G.O.A.T. modes provided off-road confidence for novice drivers, while seasoned off-roaders could manually select their preferred setups. The forward-looking trail camera and Trail Turn Assist feature were particularly useful for navigating challenging terrains. The Bronco’s Sync 4 infotainment system offered quick responses, sharp graphics, and helpful off-road apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and an available wireless charging pad added convenience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came with standard Front Assist (forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection) and Side Assist (blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert). The IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems included Travel Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist, which could safely 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 standard LED headlights and advanced driver aids were expected to improve that score.

The 2022 Ford Bronco’s standard safety features included hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional safety features, available in various packages, included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, automatic high beams, front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, and evasive steering assist. The NHTSA awarded the four-door Bronco four out of five stars for frontal crash protection and three out of five stars for rollover protection. The IIHS gave the Bronco its best score of “Good” in frontal, side, and roof strength tests, and an “Acceptable” rating for head restraints and seats.