2022 Nissan Armada 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, appealed to fans of simplicity and minimalism and promised to age well. The refreshed front styling aligned the Tiguan with Volkswagen’s larger models, featuring a new grille, standard LED headlights, and redesigned aluminum wheels. The SEL R-Line trim, in particular, boasted a sportier look with options like Atlantic Blue Metallic paint and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line offered a richer cabin experience with perforated leather upholstery, new technology, and ambient lighting in 15 colors. The touch-sensing controls on the steering wheel and dashboard added a modern touch, though they were sometimes tricky to use. Standard features included keyless entry, push-button start, and heated front seats, with higher trims offering remote engine start and additional interior color options. Overall, the 2022 Tiguan maintained its appealing looks while adding new features to stay fresh.

The 2022 Nissan Armada, a cousin to the Infiniti QX80, was a large and imposing SUV, measuring 208.9 inches in length, 75.8 inches in height, and 79.9 inches in width. Its size was complemented by sculptural details, standard LED lighting, and tasteful chrome accents. The Armada's exterior was available in seven colors, with 18-inch wheels standard on lower trims and 22-inch diamond-cut aluminum-alloy wheels on the Platinum trim, which added a touch of luxury.

Inside, the Armada was designed to transport seven to eight people comfortably. The first row featured bucket seats with power adjustments, while the second row offered a choice between a bench seat or captain's chairs. The third row was spacious enough for three passengers and could be equipped with power folding and reclining functions. The Armada's interior materials ranged from cloth on the base model to quilted leather on the Platinum trim, providing a luxurious feel. The SUV also offered ample cargo space, with up to 95.4 cubic feet available when the second and third rows were folded down.

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. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, driving the front wheels or optional 4Motion AWD. The AWD system could send up to half of the power to the rear wheels when needed, but decoupled the rear axle to save fuel when not in use. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings for AWD models.

Despite its modest power output, the Tiguan was enjoyable to drive once the turbo lag was overcome. The SUV's MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link independent rear suspension provided a comfortable ride, while the variable assist steering adjusted based on speed. However, the Tiguan's performance was limited by its engine, which struggled to deliver more power. The EPA rated the AWD R-Line model at 24 mpg combined, and real-world testing yielded a similar 24.7 mpg. The Tiguan excelled in normal driving situations but lacked the excitement for more spirited driving.

The 2022 Nissan Armada was powered by a naturally aspirated 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, available in both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) configurations. The Armada's fuel economy was rated at 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway/16 mpg combined for RWD models, and 13 mpg city/18 mpg highway/15 mpg combined for 4WD models. Despite its weight, the Armada could tow up to 8,500 pounds when properly equipped.

The Armada's performance was impressive, with the V8 engine providing ample power for quick acceleration and confident merging. The SUV's 13.8-inch vented disc brakes, hydraulic brake assist, and electronic brake force distribution ensured reliable stopping power. The Armada's four-wheel independent suspension, with double wishbone front and rear setups and stabilizer bars, delivered a smooth and controlled ride. The Platinum model's 22-inch wheels handled rough roads well, making the Armada a comfortable cruiser even on challenging terrain.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a spacious compact crossover, with an interior that rivaled smaller midsize SUVs. The FWD models featured a standard third-row seat, while AWD models did not. The SEL R-Line trim offered leather-wrapped, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and a panoramic glass sunroof. The second row was roomy and comfortable for adults, with rear air conditioning vents and a USB charging port.

Cargo space in the Tiguan was generous, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down in AWD models. FWD models with the third-row seat had 12 cubic feet behind the third row, 33 cubic feet with it folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with both rows down. The Tiguan's touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard were a modern touch but could be challenging to use.

The 2022 Nissan Armada's size made it ideal for transporting seven to eight people in comfort. The first row featured bucket seats with power adjustments, while the second row offered a bench seat or captain's chairs. The third row was spacious and could be equipped with power folding and reclining functions. The Armada's interior materials ranged from cloth on the base model to quilted leather on the Platinum trim, providing a luxurious feel.

Cargo space in the Armada was impressive, with 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 49.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.4 cubic feet with both rows down. The Armada also featured a power liftgate on SL and Platinum models, making it easier to access the cargo area. The SUV's size and storage capacity made it a versatile option for families and those needing to transport large items.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital instrumentation, with an 8-inch display on most trims and a 10.25-inch display on the SEL R-Line. The MIB3 infotainment system, introduced last year, was available on all but the base S trim, 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.

One downside of the MIB3 system was its natural voice recognition, which required a Plus Speech upgrade and an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription to function properly. The Car-Net Remote Access plan was complimentary for five years, allowing remote engine start, door lock operation, and vehicle 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 on the SEL R-Line trim.

The 2022 Nissan Armada came with standard NissanConnect technology, featuring a 12.3-inch color touchscreen with a customizable split-screen option. Standard tech features included a Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless device charging pad (on all but S models), NissanConnect telematics services, navigation, hands-free text messaging, a rear-view monitor, satellite radio capability, and a proximity key with push-button start.

The base S trim had a four-speaker audio system, while the SV added two more speakers. The SL and Platinum models featured a Bose-branded audio system with 13 speakers, a subwoofer, and a digital amplifier. All models included USB-A and USB-C ports, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and redundant steering wheel audio controls. The Platinum trim also offered a "Family Entertainment System" with dual 8-inch headrest monitors, wireless headphones, and HDMI input.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came with 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 included Travel Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist, which could bring the SUV to a full stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model's new features aimed to improve that score.

The 2022 Nissan Armada included a comprehensive list of standard safety features, such as high beam assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear automatic braking, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional active safety systems included adaptive cruise control, intelligent forward collision warning, intelligent lane intervention, and rear-door alert. The Armada also offered an intelligent rear-view mirror with a high-resolution camera view.

The Armada was equipped with dual-stage front supplemental airbags, front-seat-mounted side impact airbags, and roof-mounted curtain airbags for all three rows. A trailer brake controller was standard on SV, SL, and Platinum models, while trailer sway control was standard on the SL and Platinum trims. The IIHS and NHTSA had not released safety ratings for the 2022 Armada.