2022 Kia Sportage 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, 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 updated look. The Tiguan lineup was simplified into 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, showcased 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 options. The interior featured tastefully rendered metallic accents, though the hard plastic on the lower half of the cabin 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 available. Overall, the 2022 Tiguan retained its great looks while adding extra pizzazz, keeping it fresh until a full redesign.

Kia's tiger-nose grille styling on the 2022 Sportage, while effective on other models, did not translate as well to this SUV. The grille, positioned under oversized headlights and above a chrome trim, resembled a fake mustache, detracting from the overall design. However, Kia nailed other design details, such as the four-dot running light signature reminiscent of the Porsche Macan and the symmetrical back door shut line and rear fascia seam. The SX Turbo's 19-inch wheels, pushed out to the corners, gave the Sportage proper proportions and a planted stance.

Inside, the Sportage featured Germanic design cues with a black dashboard, polished metallic accents, and plain white markings on a black background for instrumentation. The SX Turbo included metal pedal covers and offered black, gray, and beige interior colors for a high-contrast look. Buttons and knobs made it easy to adjust the stereo, cabin temperature, and infotainment system menus. The Sportage's interior felt upscale, and the solid operation of the transmission shifter imparted a sense of quality.

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 VW’s 4Motion AWD as an option. The AWD system could send up to half the power to the rear wheels but decoupled the rear axle when not needed to save fuel. Drivers could choose between Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings for 4Motion models. The Tiguan’s Hill Descent Control system operated at speeds up to 19 mph in Offroad mode, but with 7.6 inches of ground clearance, it was best suited for well-traveled paths.

The Tiguan employed MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link independent rear suspension, with 13.4-inch vented front discs and 11.8-inch solid rear discs. Variable assist steering lightened at low speeds and firmed up at highway speeds. 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 and performance. The EPA rated the R-Line with 4Motion at 24 mpg combined, and a short drive in Malibu, California, yielded a 24.7 mpg average. The Tiguan felt nimble and responsive in normal driving but lacked outright fun when pushed.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, forming a competitive but unremarkable powertrain. The Sportage SX Turbo, however, featured a robust 240 hp (237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque, beneficial for those living at higher elevations. Both engines used a six-speed automatic transmission, with Kia's Dynamax AWD system as an option, including a locking center differential for equal power distribution at low speeds.

The Sportage SX Turbo provided quick acceleration, with maximum torque arriving at 1,450 rpm and remaining available until 3,500 rpm. The sudden surge of torque could surprise drivers, and Sport mode added a frenetic personality. The Sportage featured a MacPherson strut front suspension and an independent multi-link rear suspension, with the SX Turbo getting upgraded brakes and exclusive 19-inch wheels. The ride was smooth and compliant, with some body roll and lateral rocking over pavement undulations. The Sportage felt athletic and sporty in turns, though the steering could be quicker and the tires offered a lower threshold before howling. The Sportage SX was fun to drive but not as refined as the Mazda CX-5 Turbo.

The 2022 VW Tiguan was a giant among compact crossover SUVs, with an interior spacious enough to compare to smaller midsize SUVs. Volkswagen even installed a standard third-row seat in FWD models, though 4Motion models did not offer this feature. The SEL R-Line was exceptionally comfortable, with leather-wrapped front seats offering eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The tall driving position and excellent outward visibility, along with a panoramic glass sunroof, added to the comfort.

The second row was roomy and comfortable for adults, easily accommodating children in reverse-facing child safety seats. The SEL R-Line test vehicle had rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and decent storage. The switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard for 2022, while sophisticated, proved harder to use. Cargo space ranked among the best in the class, with FWD models offering 12 cubic feet behind the third row, 33 cubic feet with it folded, and 65.5 cubic feet maximum. The 4Motion model provided 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 73.4 cubic feet maximum, comparable to midsize SUVs.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, though smaller, offered a remarkably roomy passenger compartment. The SX Turbo trim provided perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, a ten-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and a heated flat-bottom steering wheel was standard. Rear seat legroom was generous, and the seat was comfortable, with air conditioning vents and a USB charging port for rear passengers.

Interior storage space was generous, but maximum cargo volume was not. The Sportage offered 60.1 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded, falling short of segment leaders. The 30.7 cubic feet behind the back seat was acceptable, accommodating four full-sized suitcases. The Sportage featured Kia's smart liftgate technology, which opened hands-free by standing near the back for a few seconds. This feature was convenient but could be turned off if not needed.

For 2022, the Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital instrumentation, with most versions using an 8-inch display and the SEL R-Line offering a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, introduced last year, carried over in all but the base Tiguan S, which used MIB2 with a 6.5-inch touchscreen. The MIB3 system 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.

Natural voice recognition was a touted improvement, but it required a Plus Speech upgrade and an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription, costing nine dollars annually. The Remote Access plan was complimentary for five years, allowing remote engine start, door lock operation, vehicle location, and Family Guardian alerts. The Safe & Secure plan offered automatic crash notification and emergency assistance, while the Hotspot plan provided a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Additional Plus Navigation and Plus Online Radio features could be added to the Hotspot plan, costing $250 annually. The Tiguan also offered an available Park Assist system, standard on the SEL R-Line.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Most trims included UVO Link connected services and satellite radio, while the SX Turbo added wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system with Clari-Fi technology. USB data and charging ports were also available. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with knobs for stereo volume and radio tuning, and logical onscreen menus.

However, the UVO Link system lagged in technological sophistication, with an 8-inch screen, no WiFi hotspot, hit-and-miss voice recognition, and wired smartphone mirroring. Despite this, the system was simple and easy to use.

For 2022, the 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 of advanced driving assistance systems added Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist, which operated when Travel Assist was active. 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 Kia Sportage included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver monitoring system. Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning was available with the LX Value Edition Package or higher trims. The SX Turbo added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Sportage received good crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, with the SX Turbo earning an Acceptable headlight rating, qualifying it for an IIHS Top Safety Pick.