2022 Hyundai Palisade 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, appealed to fans of simplicity and minimalism and promised to age well. For 2022, the Tiguan received new front styling to align 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 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, featured a sportier look, especially in Atlantic Blue Metallic with 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 options. The interior featured 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 some extra flair, ensuring it remained fresh until a full redesign.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade, introduced as Hyundai's flagship SUV in 2020, replaced the Santa Fe XL and stood out with its elegant and striking exterior design. The Palisade featured distinctive lines and shapes, from its prominent grille to its crisp shoulder lines and sculpted wheel arches. A continuous strip of glass surfaces around the tailgate gave the impression of a floating rear roof, while pronounced taillights and expressive LED headlights added to its visual appeal. Eighteen-inch alloy wheels were standard on SE and SEL models, and the Palisade's design could easily fit into the Infiniti lineup.

Inside, the Palisade offered a polished and elegant cabin with high-quality materials and finishes. The horizontally arrayed screen (8 inches in SE and SEL models; 10.25 inches in Limited and Calligraphy models) and a beefy center console anchored the dash. The second row featured either a roomy bench or captain's chairs, while the third row was spacious enough for two adults or three children. The fit and finish were near-luxury levels, making the Palisade a worthy flagship. The top-of-the-line Calligraphy model, tested in Steel Graphite paint with a black interior, was particularly stunning.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan continued with 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 AWD models. However, with just 7.6 inches of ground clearance, the Tiguan was best suited for well-traveled paths.

The Tiguan's MacPherson struts in front and multi-link independent rear suspension provided a comfortable ride, while the variable assist steering adjusted based on speed. The engine's torque arrived later than some turbocharged engines, resulting in 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 averaged 24.7 mpg. The Tiguan felt nimble and responsive in normal driving but lacked the fun factor when pushed hard.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade featured a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The V6, with gasoline direct injection and dual variable valve timing, offered a baritone rumble and no turbo lag. The EPA estimated the Palisade FWD models at 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway/22 mpg combined, with AWD models slightly lower. The Palisade's four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars provided a smooth ride, and the SEL Convenience trim and above included a self-leveling suspension system. The Palisade could tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, among compact crossover SUVs, offered spacious interior dimensions comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. The FWD models included a standard third-row seat, while 4Motion models did not. The SEL R-Line featured comfortable leather-wrapped front 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 new touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard were harder to use than traditional buttons.

Cargo space in the Tiguan was among the best in its class. FWD models with the third-row seat had 12 cubic feet behind the third row, 33 cubic feet with it folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with the second row down. The 4Motion models offered 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, comparable to midsize SUVs.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade excelled as a minivan replacement, offering comfortable seating and ample storage throughout the cabin. The third row provided easy access and cupholders, while the second-row captain's chairs were exceptionally comfortable. The front row featured extensive storage, including two compartments in the center console and door panel bottle holders. Luggage space measured 18.0 cubic feet behind the third row, 45.8 cubic feet with it folded, and 86.4 cubic feet with both rows down. An underfloor storage compartment added extra space, and the roof rails could hold up to 220 pounds of cargo.

The Palisade's gear selector used a compact shift-by-wire setup with four buttons, taking some time to get used to but working well. The AWD system's mode selector was intuitive, and hard knobs for audio volume and radio tuning were well-placed. The Limited and Calligraphy trims included a dual-panel sunroof, enhancing the ambiance in the second and third rows. High-end features like rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated and ventilated front seats, and premium Nappa leather upholstery were standard on these trims.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line offering a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available on 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, which was not active during testing.

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 included 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, standard on the SEL R-Line, for autonomous parking.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's technological leadership. The standard display audio system on S and SEL models used an 800 x 480 resolution screen, while the Limited and Calligraphy models featured a 1920 x 720 color touchscreen and a 630-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system with 12 speakers. The infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and satellite radio, with multiple USB ports and a Qi wireless charging pad.

Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system, standard on upper trims and optional on SEL, enabled remote engine start and vehicle monitoring. The Limited and Calligraphy trims featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, integrating with turn signals and blind-spot monitor cameras. A rear-view monitor with parking guidance was standard, with surround view on higher trims. The Limited and Calligraphy also included a head-up display for the driver.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included 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 added Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist, which slowed the SUV if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model's improvements aimed to maintain or improve this rating.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade featured a comprehensive list of standard and available safety features. Passive safety included seven airbags, three-point seat belts, LATCH anchors, active head restraints, and more. Standard active safety features included anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.