2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Subaru Ascent

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. For 2022, the Tiguan received new front styling to align it with Volkswagen’s larger Atlas models, featuring a restyled grille with the new VW logo and an available illuminated grille bar. Standard LED headlights, new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate, and redesigned aluminum wheels were also part of the update. The Tiguan lineup was simplified to 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, featured a sportier look with Atlantic Blue Metallic paint and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line boasted a richer-looking cabin with perforated and piped leather upholstery, new technology, touch-sensing steering wheel and climate controls, and ambient lighting with 15 color choices. The interior also featured metallic accents for an upscale appearance, though hard plastic on the lower half of the 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. Overall, the 2022 Tiguan retained its great looks while adding extra pizzazz, keeping it fresh until a full redesign.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent introduced a new Onyx Edition trim level, featuring a blacked-out exterior trim and badges, black 20-inch aluminum wheels, a unique grille design, and special interior trim. The Ascent lineup included Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring trims, with prices ranging from $32,295 to $45,445, plus a $1,125 destination fee. The Onyx Edition, priced at $37,995, offered an option package for an additional $2,000, including a panoramic moonroof, navigation system, and cargo cover. The blacked-out treatment gave the Ascent a sporty appearance it previously lacked.

Inside, the Onyx Edition featured StarTex synthetic leather upholstery in a gray two-tone scheme with light gray stitching, and metallic trim on the dashboard and door panels. However, the StarTex material tended to trap sweat, making ventilated seats a desirable but unavailable option. The Ascent's interior was designed for comfort and practicality, with wide rear doors, available captain’s chairs, and plenty of storage. Cargo capacity was generous, with 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 86.5 cubic feet with both rows folded down. The Ascent's interior was well-suited for families, though the third row was best reserved for children.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan continued to use a 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 Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings for AWD models. Hill Descent Control was available in Offroad mode, but the Tiguan's 7.6 inches of ground clearance limited its off-road capabilities.

The Tiguan's suspension system included MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link independent rear suspension, with vented front discs and solid rear discs. The variable assist steering lightened at low speeds and firmed up at highway speeds. 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, California, averaged 24.7 mpg. The Tiguan felt nimble and responsive in normal driving situations but lacked outright fun when pushed.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) and AWD were standard, with an EPA fuel-economy rating of 22 mpg combined for models with 20-inch wheels. Our test loop averaged 20.5 mpg. The flat-four engine layout provided a lower center of gravity for improved handling. The CVT offered eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, keeping the engine in its broad torque band while reducing engine revs for quiet cruising. The Ascent could tow up to 5,000 pounds and offered brisk acceleration and commendable passing power.

Subaru's X-Mode off-road traction control system was standard, with different settings for various road surfaces. Hill descent control and 8.7 inches of ground clearance provided more off-roading capability than many competitors. The Ascent felt nimble and maneuverable in urban and suburban driving, with responsive acceleration, excellent visibility, and an absorbent suspension. However, sudden braking could result in excessive braking response. On country and mountain roads, the Ascent demonstrated competence but could exhibit more body motion and brake fade when driven enthusiastically. On highways, the Ascent's lane-keeping and lane-centering assistance technologies could create an uncertain feel, but turning them off improved driving satisfaction.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a giant among compact crossover SUVs, with an interior spacious enough to compare to smaller midsize SUVs. FWD models included a standard third-row seat, while 4Motion models did not. The SEL R-Line test vehicle featured comfortable leather-wrapped front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The tall driving position and excellent outward visibility, along with a panoramic glass sunroof, added to the comfort. The second row was roomy and comfortable for adults, with rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and decent storage.

The Tiguan's switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard for 2022 looked sophisticated but was harder to use. Cargo space was among the best in the class, with 12 cubic feet behind the third row, 33 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with the second row folded in FWD models. The 4Motion model offered 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, placing it in midsize SUV territory.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could carry up to eight people with a second-row bench seat, but the third row was best reserved for children. The Ascent Onyx Edition featured water-resistant seat material, triple-zone climate control, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a wiper de-icer. A heated steering wheel was available on Limited and Touring trims. The wide rear doors made loading the second row easy, and captain’s chairs were available on all trims. The panoramic sunroof extended over the second row, and some models included rear-side window shades.

The Ascent offered plenty of storage, with a useful shelf running the width of the dashboard and large cupholders in the second row. Cargo capacity was generous, with 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 86.5 cubic feet with both rows folded. Versions with the panoramic sunroof had slightly less cargo space. The Ascent's interior was practical and family-friendly, though the third row was best suited for children.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital instrumentation, with an 8-inch display in most versions and a 10.25-inch display in the SEL R-Line. 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. 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.

Natural voice recognition was a touted improvement, but it required a Plus Speech upgrade and an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription. The 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, standard on the SEL R-Line.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent came with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, and satellite radio. Premium trim added an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. Both systems included volume and tuning knobs and shortcut buttons. The voice recognition technology needed improvement, requiring specific commands for accurate responses.

The Onyx Edition used standard stereo speakers, which lacked sonic quality. The optional Harman Kardon premium sound system was not available on this trim. Additional technology features on the Touring trim included a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included 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 added Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist, which could slow and 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 new features could improve that score.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent earned a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. The Ascent came standard with Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assistance tech, including adaptive cruise control with lane-centering technology. However, EyeSight's performance could be affected by low, direct sunlight, and the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology lacked refinement. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights with automatic high-beam assist, and blind-spot monitoring was available from the Premium trim. Reverse automatic braking and a Starlink Safety and Security subscription plan were also available.