2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet appealing design, characterized by its creased and symmetrical lines. The refreshed front styling aligned it with Volkswagen's larger models, featuring a restyled grille with the new VW logo and standard LED headlights. The Tiguan's exterior was further enhanced by redesigned aluminum wheels and new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate. The SEL R-Line trim, in particular, offered a sportier look with its Atlantic Blue Metallic paint and 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line boasted a refined cabin with leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and metallic accents, although the lower half's hard plastic hinted at its mass-market status. Standard features included keyless entry, push-button start, and heated front seats, with additional options like remote engine start and a panoramic sunroof available.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, with a design that echoed the larger Range Rover's profile in a sportier package. Its long wheelbase, short overhangs, and trapezoidal roof were unmistakably Range Rover, while subtle adjustments like the sloping roof and flush door handles added to its streamlined appearance. The R-Dynamic trim introduced bronze accents and a more aggressive front bumper. Inside, the Velar's cabin was sleek, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. The infotainment system, Pivi Pro, offered a simplified layout with customizable features and a voice assistant. Despite its stylish design, the Velar's interior space was limited, with reduced headroom and visibility, and a cargo space of 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission directed power to the front wheels, with an optional 4Motion AWD system available. The Tiguan offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, with additional settings for AWD models. Despite its enjoyable drive, the Tiguan's engine exhibited some turbo lag, and its fuel economy was modest at 24 mpg combined. The suspension and steering provided a nimble feel in normal driving conditions, but the Tiguan struggled when pushed for more spirited performance.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a lower center of gravity and lighter weight for improved handling. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD. The Velar's ride was smooth and controlled, with an optional air suspension providing additional comfort. The Terrain Response system offered six driving modes, but the Velar's off-road capabilities were limited compared to larger Range Rover models. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a mild-hybrid system delivered up to 395 horsepower, enhancing performance while reducing emissions.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among compact SUVs with its spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered a standard third-row seat in FWD models, while 4Motion models provided ample cargo space, with up to 73.4 cubic feet available. The SEL R-Line trim featured comfortable leather seats with power adjustments and a panoramic sunroof. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard proved challenging to use. Despite this, the Tiguan's cargo space remained among the best in its class.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, while stylish, offered limited interior space, with reduced headroom and visibility. Cargo space was modest, with 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with seats folded. The Velar's design choices, such as the lack of a discrete parking brake control, were frustrating. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system improved usability with a simplified layout and voice assistant. Despite its design flaws, the Velar's interior materials and fit and finish were of high quality.

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 most trims, included an 8-inch touchscreen, smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The SEL R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender audio system. However, the natural voice recognition required a subscription and was not active during testing. The Car-Net system offered remote access and safety features, with additional subscription options available.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was reliable and user-friendly, with a simplified layout and customizable features. The system included a voice assistant, air quality monitoring, and a heated windshield. The navigation system offered route suggestions and traffic detours, while the 4x4 app provided off-road measurements. The Velar's instrument panel could display full-width maps and reconfigure layouts, though the driving assist display was less detailed than competitors. Standard features included LED headlights, a 12-speaker Meridian stereo, and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came with standard Front Assist and Side Assist, with additional safety features in the IQ Drive system. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, while Emergency Assist could safely stop the vehicle if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model's improvements could enhance its safety score.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked U.S. crash-test ratings but scored well in European NCAP tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.