2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among its competitors with a design that was both creased and symmetrical, leaning towards a conservative aesthetic. This approach, while not overly emotional, was appreciated for its simplicity and timelessness. The refreshed front styling aligned the Tiguan with Volkswagen’s larger models, featuring a new grille, standard LED headlights, and redesigned aluminum wheels. The R-Line models, particularly the SE R-Line Black, offered a sportier look with trendy blacked-out elements.

Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line boasted a richer cabin with perforated leather upholstery, new technology, and ambient lighting in 15 colors. The touch-sensing controls on the steering wheel and climate system added a modern touch, though the hard plastic in the lower half of the cabin hinted at its mass-market status. Standard features included keyless entry, push-button start, and heated front seats, with higher trims offering remote engine start and a panoramic sunroof.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, as the first vehicle of Hyundai’s new EV lineup, presented a polished exterior with minimal character lines, giving it a concept car feel. The Parametric Pixel design was a standout feature, with pixelated LEDs used extensively in the headlights, taillights, and other lighting elements. The aerodynamic wheels and unique fender flares added to its futuristic look.

Inside, the Ioniq 5’s cabin was designed for relaxation, with a “Living Space” theme that included a zero-gravity resting position for the driver’s seat. The use of sustainable materials, such as recycled fibers and bio-materials, was a notable feature. The interior was available in mellow hues, and the moveable center console and modern front bench seat added to its practicality. The leatherette seats were both comfortable and supportive, making the Ioniq 5’s interior a pleasant place to be.

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 available. The AWD system could send up to half of the power to the rear wheels when needed, and drivers could choose between Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes. The Tiguan also featured an Active Control system with Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings.

Despite its torque arriving later than some turbocharged engines, the Tiguan was enjoyable to drive once the power kicked in. However, the EPA rated the R-Line with 4Motion at 24 mpg in combined driving, and our test drive in Malibu averaged 24.7 mpg. The Tiguan’s ride and handling were nimble and responsive in normal driving situations, but it lacked the fun factor when pushed to its limits.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered three trims and three powertrains, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) as standard and all-wheel drive (AWD) available. The base SE Standard Range model featured a single 128-kW rear motor with 168 horsepower and a 220-mile range. The extended-range models, available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, had a larger 168-kW rear motor producing 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, with a 303-mile range. The AWD variants had a dual-motor system with a total output of 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, but the range dropped to 256 miles.

The Ioniq 5 handled well on various road conditions, with four drive modes including Sport, which added excitement but reduced range. Paddle shifters allowed for adjusting regenerative braking levels, and the vehicle’s noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) were well-managed, making for a quiet ride. The Ioniq 5’s performance was solid for a midsize crossover, though it wasn’t aimed at driving enthusiasts.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a spacious compact crossover, with enough interior room to rival smaller midsize SUVs. The SEL R-Line model featured comfortable leather seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The second row was roomy enough for adults and children, with rear air conditioning vents and a USB charging port. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard was a mixed bag, as they were harder to use than traditional buttons.

Cargo space was generous, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and a maximum of 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. Front-drive models with the standard third-row seat had less cargo space, with only 12 cubic feet behind the third row and 33 cubic feet with it folded down.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the new Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offered a spacious interior with a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Palisade. The Ioniq 5 had a total interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet, exceeding that of its competitors. The rear cargo space was 27.2 cubic feet, less than the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4, but the Ioniq 5 prioritized passenger comfort with 106.5 cubic feet of passenger volume.

The interior featured soft touch points and practical useable spaces, such as a moveable center console and a modern front bench seat. The leatherette seats were comfortable and supportive, making the Ioniq 5’s cabin a pleasant place to be.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came with standard digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line featuring a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available in all but the base Tiguan S, had an 8-inch touchscreen, standard Car-Net connected services, and smartphone mirroring. The SEL R-Line also included 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.

Car-Net’s Remote Access plan was complimentary for five years, allowing remote engine start, door lock operation, and vehicle location tracking. The Safe & Secure plan offered automatic crash notification and emergency assistance, while the Hotspot plan provided a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Tiguan also offered an available Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured next-generation high-voltage, energy-dense technology with vehicle-to-load capabilities, allowing it to charge other devices and vehicles. It supported charging infrastructures up to 800 volts and could reach 80 percent battery capacity in 18 minutes. Hyundai partnered with Electrify America to offer unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions for two years.

The Ioniq 5 also had a redesigned Blue Link connected car app, a digital key, enhanced smartphone pairing, and over-the-air updates. The 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment were elegant and intuitive, with an anti-glare coating for better visibility.

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 included Travel Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist, which could bring the vehicle to a full stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model was expected to perform similarly.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and front- and rear-collision avoidance. Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I (HAD) was a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The Ioniq 5 also offered a head-up display (HUD) with augmented reality overlays, though it could be distracting in actual use. The Ioniq 5 was expected to earn high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS.