2022 Kia Telluride vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among its competitors with a design that was both conservative and timeless. Its refreshed exterior featured new front styling that aligned it with Volkswagen's larger models, the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport. The restyled grille, adorned with the new VW logo and an optional illuminated grille bar, added a touch of modernity. Standard LED headlights, new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate, and redesigned aluminum wheels further enhanced its appeal. The Tiguan was available in 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 model, with its sporty appearance and Atlantic Blue Metallic paint, was particularly striking.

Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line boasted a cabin that exuded a sense of luxury with perforated and piped leather upholstery, advanced technology, and ambient lighting options. The touch-sensing steering wheel and climate controls added a modern touch, although the hard plastic on the lower half of the cabin reminded occupants of 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. Overall, the 2022 Tiguan maintained its attractive design while incorporating subtle enhancements to keep it fresh.

The 2022 Kia Telluride was a midsize SUV that captivated consumers with its muscular design and balanced proportions. For 2022, Kia made only minor changes to the grille pattern and introduced new badges, preserving the Telluride's handsome appearance. Available in LX, S, EX, and SX trims, the Telluride's pricing ranged from $32,790 to $44,590, with a $1,225 destination charge. Our SX test vehicle, equipped with AWD, the SX Prestige Package, and carpeted floor mats, totaled $48,325.

Inside, the Telluride's interior was both stylish and functional, with thoughtful details like overhead air vents, manual rear side window shades, and USB ports in all three rows. The SX Prestige package added premium Nappa leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner, elevating the cabin's luxury feel. The Telluride's spacious interior comfortably accommodated adults in all three rows, although the third row was best suited for shorter trips. With a Smart Power Liftgate and ample cargo space, the Telluride was well-suited for family adventures.

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 powered the front wheels, with the option for VW's 4Motion AWD system. This system could direct up to half of the power to the rear wheels when needed, enhancing traction. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings for 4Motion models. Despite its 7.6 inches of ground clearance, the Tiguan was best suited for well-traveled paths.

The Tiguan's suspension system, featuring MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link independent rear suspension, provided a balanced ride. However, the engine's torque arrived slightly later than some competitors, resulting in momentary turbo lag. While the Tiguan was enjoyable to drive, it could have benefited from more power. The EPA estimated the R-Line with 4Motion at 24 mpg in combined driving, and our test drive yielded a similar 24.7 mpg. The Tiguan's handling was nimble in normal driving situations, but it lacked the excitement some enthusiasts might seek.

The 2022 Kia Telluride impressed with its 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine, delivering 262 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain provided ample acceleration, although it was the only engine option available. An eight-speed automatic transmission powered the wheels, and AWD models featured a Lock mode for even power distribution. With eight inches of ground clearance, the Telluride handled various terrains well, including snow and muddy roads.

On dry pavement, the Telluride's brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control system enhanced its handling. Drivers could choose between Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport driving modes, with the SX trim offering 20-inch wheels for added grip. The Telluride's ride quality was smooth, and it excelled on long-distance drives, aided by Highway Driving Assist technology. During testing, the Telluride matched its EPA fuel economy estimate of 21 mpg in combined driving, with our SX AWD model achieving 21.1 mpg. The Telluride's towing capacity reached 5,000 pounds, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a standout among compact crossover SUVs, offering a spacious interior that rivaled smaller midsize SUVs. It featured a standard third-row seat in FWD models, while 4Motion versions omitted this feature. Our SEL R-Line test vehicle provided exceptional comfort with leather-wrapped front seats offering eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The panoramic glass sunroof brightened the cabin, and outward visibility was excellent.

The Tiguan's second row was roomy and comfortable for adults, accommodating children and child safety seats with ease. Rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and ample storage added to its practicality. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard posed usability challenges. 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, placing it in midsize SUV territory.

The 2022 Kia Telluride excelled in balancing form and function, with an upscale and organized interior. Thoughtful details included overhead air vents, manual rear side window shades, and USB ports in all three rows. The SX Prestige package added premium Nappa leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner, enhancing the cabin's luxury feel. Heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, dual sunroof panels, and a Smart Power Liftgate added to its appeal.

All three rows of seats were comfortable for adults, although the third row was best for shorter trips. The Telluride offered ample storage space, with 21 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row and a maximum of 87 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The flat load floor made it easy to transport larger items, making the Telluride a practical choice for families.

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 in all but the base Tiguan S, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, and smartphone mirroring. 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 a Car-Net Hotspot subscription.

Car-Net's Remote Access plan was complimentary for five years, allowing remote engine start, door lock operation, and 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 Kia Telluride came standard with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including navigation and voice recognition technology. While wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wire, the system offered USB charging ports in all three rows and a wireless smartphone charging pad in most trims. Kia Connect provided a free trial subscription for one year, offering features like 911 Connect, safe teen driving alerts, and remote engine start.

Kia Connect also included alerts for rear occupant movement and a Quiet Mode for playing music only through the front speakers. The Telluride's SX trim featured a 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, a head-up display, and a surround-view monitoring system. These features enhanced the Telluride's appeal as a family-friendly SUV.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with standard Front Assist and Side Assist, providing forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Tiguan's IQ Drive collection included Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. However, the touch-sensing controls posed usability challenges. Emergency Assist was another notable feature, slowing 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 enhance its safety credentials.

The 2022 Kia Telluride prioritized safety with its Kia Drive Wise suite of driver assistance technologies. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. Highway Driving Assist provided subtle assistance on highways, while Smart Cruise Control-Curve used GPS data to predict curves. Safe Exit Assist warned occupants of approaching vehicles or cyclists.

The Telluride's SX trim featured Blind-Spot View Monitor technology, displaying blind-spot imagery within the instrumentation display. In NHTSA crash tests, the Telluride earned a five-star overall rating, while the IIHS awarded it a "Top Safety Pick" designation.