2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was known for its refined and restrained design, standing out amongst its competitors, many of which were less visually appealing. Volkswagen’s approach to the Tiguan’s appearance leaned towards a more conservative, clean, and symmetrical aesthetic. While this might not evoke a dramatic emotional reaction, it was a design that aged well and held a timeless appeal, especially for those who appreciated simplicity and minimalism.

For 2022, the Tiguan introduced a new front styling that aligned it more closely with Volkswagen’s larger Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport models. It boasted a restyled grille featuring the new VW logo and an optional illuminated grille bar. Standard LED headlights, revised nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate, and redesigned aluminum wheels enhanced its look. The Tiguan came in four trims—S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line—with prices ranging from $25,995 to $36,995, all built in VW’s Puebla, Mexico, factory with an additional $1,195 destination charge.

The SEL R-Line version, particularly in Atlantic Blue Metallic, showcased a sportier vibe with machined-surface 18-inch alloy wheels complementing the SUV’s shiny exterior. Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line featured a luxurious cabin with perforated and piped leather upholstery, a touch-sensing steering wheel, climate controls, and ambient lighting choices in 15 different colors. Although it had an upscale feel with metallic accents, the hard plastic lower cabin area was a reminder of its mass-market status. Standard features included keyless entry, push-button start, and heated front seats, with the SE trim offering remote engine starting. Overall, the updated 2022 Tiguan retained its good looks while adding a bit more flair to keep it current until its next redesign.

In contrast, the Nissan Rogue, which had been a part of Nissan’s lineup since 2007, received a significant redesign for the 2013 model year, solidifying its status as a top seller. The 2021 transformation gave the Rogue a mature appearance, which carried into the 2022 model without additional changes. The Rogue shared design elements with other current-generation Nissan vehicles, such as the V-motion grille and multi-level LED headlights, and added elements like active grille shutters and a floating roof appearance. The sleek and slightly bulging liftgate enhanced the overall body design.

Inside, the Rogue followed a layered dash design trend with distinct horizontal layers, giving it a sophisticated and detailed look. The center console featured an electronic gear selector, allowing for more storage space underneath. The nine-inch center infotainment display was positioned near eye level for convenience, and the digital instrument panel varied between lower (seven-inch) and upper trims (12.3-inch). Nissan’s Zero Gravity bucket-style front seats and spacious second row ensured comfort for all passengers. The fit and finish were commendable, especially in the top-of-the-line Platinum model.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan saw no major powertrain changes, retaining its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,900 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission directed power to the front wheels, or optionally to all four wheels via VW’s 4Motion AWD system. The 4Motion system could allocate up to 50% of the power to the rear wheels while also decoupling the rear axle to save fuel if AWD was not needed.

Drivers could select from Eco, Normal, Sport, and programmable Individual driving modes as standard across all trims. Those choosing 4Motion benefited from an Active Control system offering Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings, with Hill Descent Control engaging at speeds up to 19 mph in Offroad mode. However, the Tiguan’s ground clearance of 7.6 inches and shallow approach, breakover, and departure angles limited its off-road capabilities.

The Tiguan’s engine, paired with MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link independent rear suspension, offered a smooth and responsive driving experience. The 13.4-inch vented front discs and 11.8-inch solid rear discs ensured effective braking, and variable assist steering adjusted according to speed. Despite a slight turbo lag, once the torque was fully engaged, the Tiguan provided enjoyable drives. However, some felt VW could have extracted more power for better performance. Fuel economy was on par with EPA ratings of 24 mpg combined, with our test averaging slightly better at 24.7 mpg.

On the other hand, the 2022 Nissan Rogue underwent significant performance enhancements, thanks to the introduction of a new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine, part of the VC-Turbo family. This three-cylinder engine delivered 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, representing an 11% increase in horsepower and 24% in torque from the previous model year’s 2.5-liter engine. The Variable Compression (VC) technology mechanically adjusted the combustion chamber size, seamlessly shifting between higher power and efficiency modes based on driving demands.

The new engine also boasted impressive fuel economy figures, with the EPA estimating 30 mpg in the city, 37 mpg on the highway, and 33 mpg combined. The Rogue’s new automatic transmission, still a CVT, covered wider gear ratios, improving acceleration from standstill and responsiveness during passing maneuvers. The CVT’s usual drone was minimized, although some driving enthusiasts might miss the lack of a manual option.

The Rogue’s chassis and suspension delivered a controlled, smooth ride with minimal body roll, complementing the enhanced powertrain. The electric power-assisted steering’s responsive feel and the tight 35.4-foot turning diameter further contributed to its maneuverability.

With its spacious interior, the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan offered comfort comparable to smaller midsize SUVs like the Chevrolet Blazer and Hyundai Santa Fe. Unlike many competitors in its class, the Tiguan even came with a third-row seat in its FWD models. However, this third row was absent in 4Motion-equipped models.

In the SEL R-Line, comfort was paramount. The front seats featured leather upholstery with eight-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation options, and could be set to a high driving position. Outward visibility was excellent, and the panoramic glass sunroof enhanced the cabin's airy feel. The second row was equally accommodating, making it comfortable for adults and children in car seats. Rear amenities included air conditioning vents, USB charging ports, and ample storage space.

A notable update for 2022 was the adoption of touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard. Although they created a sophisticated appearance, they were less intuitive and potentially distracting. Cargo space in the Tiguan was impressive, barring the FWD models with the third row, which had just 12 cubic feet behind it but up to 65.5 cubic feet with rear seats folded down. Our 4Motion test vehicle offered even more, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and up to 73.4 cubic feet when folded, rivaling midsize SUVs.

Conversely, the 2022 Nissan Rogue excelled with smart interior design and storage solutions. The first and second rows offered multiple storage options, including door bottle holders, cupholders in the center console, a spacious glove compartment, and several cubbies and bins. Rear passengers had similar conveniences, with additional USB ports.

Cargo space in the Rogue was also commendable, providing 31.6 to 36.5 cubic feet of storage depending on the configuration. Folding down the rear seats expanded this capacity to 74.1 cubic feet, making it suitable for various cargo needs.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan offered standard digital instrumentation across trims, known as Digital Cockpit, with an 8-inch display in most versions and a more advanced 10.25-inch display in the SEL R-Line’s Digital Cockpit Pro. The SEL R-Line also featured the MIB3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. This trim included a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system.

However, the natural voice recognition feature fell short during testing, requiring a Plus Speech upgrade and an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription to function, a fact not initially obvious to users. The Remote Access plan was complimentary for five years, allowing remote engine starting, door locks operation, and vehicle location tracking. Upgrades for additional functionalities came with additional annual costs, potentially reaching $250 per year for all features.

Beyond infotainment, the Tiguan offered an available Park Assist system, standard on the SEL R-Line, for autonomous parallel and perpendicular parking.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, retaining its 2021 technological advancements, featured substantial screen upgrades in upper trims: a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. When navigation was equipped, the Rogue integrated Google Maps and Waze. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were complemented by wireless Apple CarPlay options in higher trims.

ProPilot Assist, Nissan’s advanced driver-assist technology, was available with Navi-Link integration on select models, allowing the vehicle to proactively adjust speed based on navigation system data. This, combined with Nissan’s Intelligent Key’s evolving functionality, enhanced the convenience and safety for families and frequent rear-seat occupants.

For 2022, the Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with Front Assist (forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection) and Side Assist (blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert) as standard on the base S model. Significant additions to the IQ Drive system included Travel Assist and Emergency Assist.

Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance for speeds over 40 mph. However, engaging this system via touch-sensing controls proved to be tricky due to potential reflection issues and touch sensitivity. Emergency Assist, activating when Travel Assist detected driver non-responsiveness, could slow and safely stop the vehicle in its lane after issuing prompts and warnings.

While the 2021 Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, the new standard features for 2022 could potentially improve this rating further.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured Nissan Safety Shield 360 across all trims, comprising automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. Additionally, it had ten airbags and extended crumple zones, with standard Intelligent Driver Alertness and rear door alert systems. Available safety features included blind-spot intervention and traffic sign recognition.

ProPilot Assist, incorporating Level 2 advanced driver-assist systems, offered hands-on driving aid with adaptive cruise control and steering assist, capable of bringing the vehicle to a complete stop and restarting within a 30-second hold. The enhanced ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link used navigational data for predictive speed control, edging closer to autonomous driving.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and was anticipated to maintain its 2021 Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS.