2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among its competitors with a design that was both creased and symmetrical, leaning towards conservatism. This approach, while not eliciting strong emotions, aged well and appealed to fans of simplicity and minimalism. For 2022, the Tiguan received new front styling to align with Volkswagen’s larger 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 were also part of the update. The Tiguan lineup was simplified to S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims, with prices ranging from $25,995 to $36,995, plus a $1,195 destination charge. The SEL R-Line test vehicle, priced at $37,970 MSRP, featured a sportier look with Atlantic Blue Metallic paint and 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 had tasteful metallic accents, though hard plastic on the lower half revealed its mass-market status. Standard features included keyless entry, push-button start, and heated front seats, with remote engine starting available from the SE trim. New interior colors and a panoramic glass sunroof were also options. Overall, the 2022 Tiguan retained its appealing looks while adding extra flair, keeping it fresh until a full redesign.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was recommended for families due to its practical features. Sliding side doors made loading toddlers into rear-facing seats easy, and the third-row seat was comfortable for adults, making it ideal for carpooling and family trips. The Odyssey offered maximum cargo space, with the ability to fold the third-row seat and remove the second-row seats, providing as much cargo space as a Chevrolet Suburban. Despite the minivan stigma, the Odyssey had a sense of style, with kinked sliding doors and dramatic character lines. The Elite trim level featured dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels.

The Odyssey lineup included LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite trims, with prices ranging from $33,040 to $48,770, plus a destination charge. The Elite trim, priced at $49,995, featured leather upholstery, quality materials, and a low console with plenty of storage space. The center stack had well-placed switchgear, and the expansive windshield provided excellent visibility. The Odyssey’s interior was designed for family use, with features like tri-color floor mats, an onboard vacuum cleaner, and Magic Slide second-row seats for easy access and flexibility. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the cargo space was impressive, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

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 Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings for 4Motion models. Hill Descent Control operated at speeds up to 19 mph, but the Tiguan’s 7.6 inches of ground clearance limited its off-road capabilities.

The Tiguan’s suspension included MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link independent rear suspension, with vented front discs and solid rear discs. Variable assist steering adjusted based on speed. The engine’s torque arrived later than some turbocharged engines, causing momentary turbo lag when accelerating from a stop. Despite this, the Tiguan was enjoyable to drive, though it could benefit from more power. The EPA rated the R-Line with 4Motion at 24 mpg combined, and our test drive in Malibu averaged 24.7 mpg. The Tiguan felt nimble and responsive in normal driving but lacked excitement when pushed hard.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission with pushbutton controls. Unlike some competitors, the Odyssey did not offer AWD or an electrified powertrain, resulting in an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg combined. Our test drive in Southern California averaged 22.6 mpg. The Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, with quick acceleration, responsive handling, and good composure on mountain roads. However, repeated use of the brakes on downhill grades caused pedal vibration and an audible grumble, indicating a need for more heat-resistant brakes.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was spacious for a compact crossover, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. FWD models included a standard third-row seat, while 4Motion models did not. The SEL R-Line featured comfortable leather front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The second row was roomy and comfortable for adults, with rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and storage. The switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard was less user-friendly than traditional buttons. Cargo space was generous, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy entry with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. The Elite trim featured quality leather, supportive front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. Storage space was abundant, with numerous compartments and a handy floor tray. The second-row seats were comfortable, with Magic Slide functionality for easy access and flexibility. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, with good leg support and foot room. Cargo space was impressive, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital instrumentation, with an 8-inch display in most trims and a 10.25-inch display in the SEL R-Line. The MIB3 infotainment system, available in all but the base S trim, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The SEL R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender audio system. Natural voice recognition required a Plus Speech upgrade and an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription. Car-Net offered Remote Access, Safe & Secure, and Hotspot plans, with additional features available for a fee. The Tiguan also offered an available Park Assist system.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite included all available technology, though its infotainment features were becoming outdated. Starting with the EX trim, the Odyssey featured an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim added navigation and HondaLink connected services. CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology, standard in Touring and Elite trims, allowed the driver to monitor and communicate with rear-seat passengers. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch display, media inputs, and a “How Much Farther?” app. The Elite trim added an 11-speaker audio system and a wireless charging pad. The Odyssey’s infotainment system was user-friendly but could benefit from a larger screen and a tuning knob.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard Front Assist and Side Assist on the base S trim. The IQ Drive system added 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 could improve that score.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey featured Honda Sensing as standard, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. All Odysseys also had automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available starting with the EX trim. Honda Sensing could be overly sensitive and abrupt, and the blind-spot monitoring system’s warning light was not ideally placed. The 2022 Odyssey earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.