2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Kia Sorento

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was known for its clean and conservative design, standing out among its often unattractive rivals. This SUV had a symmetrical, minimally styled exterior that held up well over time. With its 2022 refresh, the Tiguan’s new front styling brought it in line with Volkswagen’s Atlas models, featuring a reworked grille, the new VW logo, and standard LED headlights. Enhancements included the illuminated grille bar and redesigned aluminum wheels. Offered in four trims—S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line—the Tiguan had a price range from $25,995 to $36,995, with an additional $1,195 destination charge. Our top-tier SEL R-Line test model, equipped with 4Motion AWD, was priced at $37,970. The R-Line variants, particularly the SE R-Line Black with its blacked-out look, added a sportier aesthetic. The Atlantic Blue Metallic paint on our test vehicle complemented its 18-inch alloy wheels and bright exterior trim beautifully.

Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line featured upscale touches such as perforated leather upholstery, touch-sensing controls, and ambient lighting in 15 different colors. Metallic accents throughout the cabin added a sophisticated flair, though the extensive use of hard plastics hinted at its mass-market positioning. Standard features in 2022 included keyless entry, push-button start, and heated front seats, with higher trims adding remote start and new interior color choices like Cinnamon and Noisette Brown. Overall, the refreshed Tiguan managed to maintain its appealing aesthetics while integrating contemporary elements, prolonging its appeal until a complete redesign.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Sorento with the X-Line package turned heads with its rugged look. This treatment applied across S, EX, and SX Prestige trims added robust bumpers, matte-finish wheels, black body cladding, raised suspension, and durable roof rails, all contributing to its striking presence. Our SX Prestige X-Line test vehicle, painted in Wolf Gray with Rust-colored leather interiors, came with a full MSRP of $45,310, including the $1,215 destination charge. However, for those with budget constraints, the Sorento base LX trim started at $29,590, while a well-equipped front-wheel-drive SX Prestige was priced at $42,405.

No matter the trim, the 2022 Sorento exuded quality in its design and build. This impression was evident in the premium leather upholstery, simulated wood trim, and the general feel of controls and shifters. Beyond aesthetics, the Sorento’s interior was robust and thoughtfully designed, ensuring a premium experience even in lower trims.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its powertrain from the previous year. It was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 lb-ft of torque starting at 1,900 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission handled power delivery to the front wheels, with VW’s 4Motion AWD available as an option. This AWD system could direct up to half of the power to the rear wheels but would decouple the rear axle to save fuel when AWD wasn’t needed. Standard across all trims were driving modes—Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual—with 4Motion models gaining additional Offroad modes.

However, despite its torque, the engine exhibited a slight turbo lag from a stop, requiring careful planning when merging into traffic. The 2022 Tiguan offered respectable fuel economy, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg in combined driving, closely matched by our test average of 24.7 mpg. In regular driving, the Tiguan felt nimble and responsive, true to its German engineering pedigree. Yet, pushing it harder revealed limitations in the tires and suspension, thus keeping it less exciting for performance-oriented drivers.

The 2022 Kia Sorento had a base engine of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder delivering 191 horsepower, which was somewhat underpowered, taking about 9.5 seconds to reach 60 mph. The Sorento EX and higher trims came with a more desirable turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder, generating 281 hp at 5,800 rpm and 311 lb-ft of torque between 1,700 and 4,000 rpm. This engine replaced the standard eight-speed automatic with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, making AWD optional. This better-performing engine propelled the Sorento from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds, which could feel quicker in practice due to its responsive torque.

Despite the added height from the X-Line’s raised suspension, the Sorento handled more like a sporty sedan, absorbing bumps well and maintaining impressive composure. The SX Prestige’s 20-inch alloy wheels and high-performance tires ensured a well-connected, engaging driving experience, even on winding roads. However, its ground clearance of 8.2 inches, while improved for off-road aesthetics, was better suited for mild off-road adventures. Fuel economy wasn’t its strong suit, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg in combined driving which we found optimistic, averaging 20.5 mpg on test drives.

Inside the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, the generous cabin space defied its compact SUV classification, comparing favorably with smaller midsize SUVs like the Chevrolet Blazer and Kia Sorento. Front-wheel-drive models featured a standard third-row seat, missing in 4Motion versions. The SEL R-Line trim offered luxurious amenities, including leather-wrapped, power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof enhancing the airy feel. Rear passengers enjoyed substantial legroom, with second-row seats suitable for adults and child seats alike.

However, the new touch-sensitive controls for climate and steering functions were less user-friendly compared to traditional buttons. Cargo capacity varied by drivetrain; the FWD model offered 12 cubic feet behind the third-row, 33 cubic feet with the third-row folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats down. AWD models were more practical, providing 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and a maximum of 73.4 cubic feet, placing the Tiguan's cargo space in midsize SUV territory.

The 2022 Kia Sorento’s interior, particularly with the SX Prestige X-Line, could rival luxury cars, though why they named the lovely leather color Rust was puzzling. The SX Prestige added a 14-way power driver’s seat and new features like a heated steering wheel. Passenger comfort extended to the second row, with captain’s chairs standard from the EX trim and heated seats in our test model. Multiple storage solutions and rear air conditioning vents made this area family-friendly, with a panoramic sunroof further enhancing appeal.

The third-row seats in the Sorento were less impressive, better suited for children due to their limited comfort and legroom. With the third-row in use, cargo space was a cramped 12.6 cubic feet, expanding to 38.5 cubic feet with the third row folded and 75.5 cubic feet with the second row down. An intelligent power tailgate added to loading ease but could be unintentionally triggered by the proximity of the key fob.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came with standard digital instrumentation, with higher trims featuring the sophisticated Digital Cockpit Pro with a 10.25-inch display. The MIB3 infotainment system, standard on SE trims and above, offered an 8-inch display, Car-Net services, app mirroring, and satellite radio. The SEL R-Line included an advanced navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender audio system. However, natural voice recognition required an additional subscription, which wasn't activated in our test vehicle, proving inconvenient.

Standard Car-Net’s Remote Access plan offered engine start and door lock control via smartphone for five years. Safe & Secure and Hotspot plans were optional, adding services like crash notification and WiFi. Park Assist for autonomous parallel and perpendicular parking was included in the SEL R-Line.

For the 2022 Kia Sorento, all but the base LX trim featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, satellite radio, and connected services, although some of these lacked the intuitive wireless smartphone integration of the base model. This system's user interface might not appeal to everyone due to its stylized graphics and prevalence of purple hues.

Kia’s 12-speaker Bose premium audio was restricted to the SX Prestige X-Line, with wireless smartphone charging becoming standard from the EX trim. Voice recognition systems in Kia vehicles often fell short compared to their Hyundai counterparts, leading to a less than stellar user experience.

In 2022, the VW Tiguan featured standard Front Assist, Side Assist, and the enriched IQ Drive package, which included Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise and lane-centering, required careful engagement due to tricky touch-sensing controls. Emergency Assist was activated if the driver became unresponsive while Travel Assist was on, potentially bringing the vehicle to a safe stop. The 2021 model achieved a “Top Safety Pick” from IIHS, and the new features were expected to enhance its rating.

The 2022 Kia Sorento’s comprehensive Kia Drive Wise package varied by trim. Our SX Prestige X-Line had features like ultrasonic rear-seat reminder, Junction Assist for safer turns, and Blind View Monitor for visual blind-spot checks. Intelligent Speed Limit Assist and Highway Driving Assist, providing semi-autonomous driving, were other highlights. The IIHS rated it a Top Safety Pick, though lesser trims had lower headlight ratings. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating, marking it down in frontal crashes and rollover resistance.