2022 Subaru Forester 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 restyled grille with the new VW logo and available illuminated grille bar. Standard LED headlights, new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate, and redesigned aluminum wheels added to its updated look. 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-looking cabin with perforated and piped leather upholstery, new technology, touch-sensing steering wheel and climate controls, and ambient lighting with 15 color options. Metallic accents added an upscale touch, 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. 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 Subaru Forester came in base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims, with prices starting at $25,195 and topping out at $35,295, plus a $1,125 destination charge. The Forester Wilderness, tested in Bend, Oregon, featured white paint, a dark gray interior with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, and a base price of $33,945. An option package added navigation, a Harman Kardon sound system, and a power rear liftgate, bringing the total to $36,014. The Wilderness trim included a suspension lift, higher ride height, and massive protective cladding, giving it a rugged look.

Inside, the Forester emphasized function over form, with hard plastic and soft surfaces creating a cabin that exuded quality and clarity of purpose. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system with physical knobs and buttons made it easy to use, though the three display screens could be less ideal. The Wilderness trim retained the model's practicality, with water-resistant upholstery, all-weather floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat. Upgraded roof rails with integrated tie-downs accommodated a three-person roof tent. The Forester's interior was spacious and comfortable, with tall seating positions and excellent outward visibility. Cargo space was generous, with 28.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 74.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan continued with 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 4Motion AWD available. The AWD system could send up to half the power to the rear wheels but 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 vented front discs and solid rear discs. 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. Once the torque kicked in, 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 a short drive in Malibu averaged 24.7 mpg. The Tiguan felt nimble and responsive in normal driving but lacked excitement when pushed hard.

The 2022 Subaru Forester retained its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. All Foresters had a CVT and AWD, with the Wilderness model featuring a design that increased initial torque supply by 25% and doubled towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The EPA rated the Forester Wilderness at 26 mpg combined, and a drive in central Oregon averaged 25.9 mpg. The Forester's engine was adequate at sea level but felt sluggish at higher altitudes, where a turbocharger would help.

The CVT had eight programmed ratios and rarely called attention to itself. The Wilderness trim included SI-Drive for a more lively response and improved off-the-line feel. Subaru's dual-function X-Mode system offered various settings for different surfaces and managed speed during hill descents. The Wilderness trim had a re-tuned suspension with longer springs and shocks, raising ground clearance to 9.2 inches. The Forester excelled in various environments, from town driving to off-road courses, though it lacked engine power and had excessive wind noise above 65 mph. The long-travel suspension absorbed bumps well, and the Forester retained good road feel with less body roll than other versions.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a giant among compact crossover SUVs, with an interior spacious enough to compare to smaller midsize SUVs. FWD models had a standard third-row seat, while 4Motion models did not. The SEL R-Line was exceptionally comfortable, with leather-wrapped front seats offering eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The tall driving position and excellent outward visibility added to the comfort, and the panoramic sunroof let in plenty of light. 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 looked sophisticated but was harder to use. Cargo space was among the best in the class, with 12 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 33 cubic feet with it folded down, and 65.5 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The 4Motion model had 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 73.4 cubic feet maximum capacity, comparable to midsize SUVs.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized functionality, with easy entry and exit thanks to tall seating hip points. The StarTex upholstery was water-resistant, and the Wilderness trim included all-weather floor mats, a rubber cargo mat, and washable rear seatbacks. Upgraded roof rails with integrated tie-downs accommodated a three-person roof tent. The Forester's interior was spacious and comfortable, with tall seating positions and excellent outward visibility. Rear air conditioning vents and quick-charge ports added to passenger comfort, and the back seat easily held two adults.

Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it. The squared-off cargo area was usefully shaped, with new cargo hooks on the ceiling. The Wilderness trim included a full-size spare under the cargo floor. With the rear seat folded, the Forester held 74.2 cubic feet (69.1 with the sunroof), making it one of the roomiest compact SUVs.

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. 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 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.

The 2022 Subaru Forester included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. Premium trim added access to a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims featured an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Wilderness trim also included a 180-degree forward-view camera.

The test vehicle had navigation and the Harman Kardon audio system, which produced clear, rich sound. The navigation system was helpful, though a breadcrumb function would be useful for off-roading. The voice recognition system was hit-and-miss. The PIN Code Access feature allowed keyless entry, making it ideal for outdoor activities.

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 slowed the SUV and brought it 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 features could improve that score.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system, with twice the field of vision for more accurate and smoother operation. It included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Forester also featured a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The Touring trim added DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology for monitoring drowsiness and distraction, with a new gesture control function for climate adjustments. The NHTSA awarded the 2022 Forester a 5-star overall crash-test rating, and the IIHS was expected to retain the 2021 model's "Top Safety Pick+" rating.