2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 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 new grille with the updated VW logo and available illuminated grille bar. Standard LED headlights, new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate, and redesigned aluminum wheels added to its appeal. 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 cabin with perforated and piped leather upholstery, new technology, touch-sensing controls, and ambient lighting with 15 color options. Metallic accents added an upscale touch, though hard plastic in the lower cabin hinted at 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 sunroof were also options. Overall, the 2022 Tiguan retained its great looks while adding extra flair, keeping it fresh until a full redesign.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450, in its base form, offered a more subtle and less flashy look compared to rivals like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. Mercedes avoided gaudy grilles, opting for a confident yet understated design. The AMG GLS 63 performance model and Maybach version added visual drama with features like flared wheel arches, muscular grilles, and chrome accents. The Maybach also included luxuries like reclining rear seats and power running boards. Our test car had a basic interior by GLS standards but still felt luxurious with leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, and ambient lighting. Details like intricate speaker grilles and rectangular air vents added to the upscale feel.

The GLS 450’s interior was appropriate for a luxury SUV, with a digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen housed under one piece of glass. The upright dashboard framed the screens nicely, enhancing the overall design. While the interior felt high quality, it was perhaps too subdued for some tastes. The GLS 450 provided a comfortable and luxurious experience, suitable for surveying a country estate from behind its three-spoke steering wheel.

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 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 AWD system 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 operated at speeds up to 19 mph, but with 7.6 inches of ground clearance, it was best suited for well-traveled paths.

The Tiguan’s suspension included MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link independent rear setup, with 13.4-inch vented front discs and 11.8-inch solid rear discs. 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 in Malibu averaged 24.7 mpg. The Tiguan felt nimble and responsive in normal driving but lacked the fun factor when pushed hard.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission, assisted by Mercedes’ EQ Boost mild-hybrid system. The gasoline engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with an electric motor adding 21 hp and 184 lb-ft in short bursts. The electric motor also served as the starter and powered most accessories, reducing the engine’s workload. The GLS 450’s inline-six provided smooth and ample power, making it a perfect fit for a luxury vehicle.

The GLS 450’s air suspension could raise and lower the ride height and absorb impacts from potholes, but our test car exhibited poor body control, bouncing over bumps and leaning in corners. Mercedes quoted a 7,700-pound towing capacity for the GLS 450, which was competitive but not class-leading. The GLS 450’s performance was impressive, but the suspension’s lack of refinement detracted from the overall experience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a giant among compact crossover SUVs, with an interior spacious enough to rival smaller midsize SUVs. Volkswagen even included a standard third-row seat in FWD models, though 4Motion models did not offer this feature. The SEL R-Line test vehicle provided exceptional comfort with leather-wrapped, eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation. The panoramic glass sunroof added to the airy feel, and outward visibility was excellent.

The second row was roomy and comfortable for adults, easily accommodating children and reverse-facing child safety seats. The SEL R-Line included rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and ample storage. The switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard looked sophisticated but was harder to use. Cargo space was among the best in the class, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down in 4Motion models.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with a seven-seat configuration, featuring a 60/40 split-folding second-row bench seat and two third-row seats. An optional six-seat version replaced the bench with individual captain’s chairs. The second-row seats could slide forward and fold for third-row access, with the bench seat sliding fore and aft as one piece, increasing legroom by 3.4 inches. The GLS offered 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 84.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded.

Cargo space was competitive but slightly behind larger rivals like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. Mercedes made loading and unloading easy with one-touch power-folding seats and a power tailgate. The air suspension could lower the vehicle for easier access. The GLS was well-equipped for moving people and cargo, though the touchscreen was hard to reach, and some ergonomic issues detracted from the overall experience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital instrumentation, with most versions using an 8-inch display and the SEL R-Line upgrading to 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. MIB3 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 feature, but it required a Plus Speech upgrade and an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription, which was not active in the test vehicle. 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 for autonomous parking.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, and natural-language voice recognition. A 13-speaker Burmester audio system was standard, with a head-up display as an option. Users had multiple control options, including voice recognition, a touchpad controller, small touchpads on the steering wheel, and the touchscreen itself.

The voice recognition system, responding to “Hey Mercedes,” was the easiest to use, understanding normal speech well. The touchpad controller was too sensitive and cumbersome, while the touchscreen and instrument cluster had good-looking graphics. However, the GLS lacked the augmented-reality navigation feature available in the S-Class sedan, and the embedded navigation system suggested an inefficient route during testing, undermining confidence in its reliability.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with 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 included Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist, which could safely bring the vehicle to a stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model’s new LED headlights and driver aids could improve that score.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS included standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view camera system, Crosswind Assist, parking assist, and Pre Safe, which prepared the vehicle for a rollover. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, second-row side airbags, and advanced driver-assistance features like Active Steering Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, Trailer Stability Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, and Active Emergency Stop Assist. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.