2022 Volvo XC60 vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, unlike many of its rivals, presented a design that leaned towards conservatism while retaining a modern, clean aesthetic. The refreshed Tiguan showcased new front styling that aligned it with Volkswagen's Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport models, featuring a restyled grille with the new VW logo and an optional illuminated grille bar. The SUV was updated with standard LED headlights, new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate, and redesigned aluminum wheels. The Tiguan's exterior, especially in the SEL R-Line trim with its Atlantic Blue Metallic paint and 18-inch alloy wheels, offered an appealing visual with its machined-surface wheels complementing the shiny exterior accents.

Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line exhibited a notably richer cabin, with perforated and piped leather upholstery, advanced technology, and touch-sensing steering and climate controls. The interior ambience was enhanced by metallic accents and ambient lighting that allowed for personalization through a choice of 15 different colors. Standard features included keyless entry, push-button engine starting, and heated front seats, with additional options such as remote engine starting, new interior colors, and a panoramic glass sunroof available on higher trims. Despite the higher-quality materials, the use of hard plastic on the lower half of the cabin slightly detracted from its upscale feel.

For the 2022 Volvo XC60, Volvo made subtle yet effective styling changes to refresh the crossover's look. The updated front fascia featured "air blades" that flanked the grille, lending the XC60 a sportier appearance. The new rear bumper design concealed the tailpipes, contributing to a cleaner rear profile, while new wheel designs further updated the vehicle's aesthetic. The reworked front grille not only updated the vehicle's look but also improved functionality by moving driver-assist system sensors behind a heated Volvo logo to ensure they operated efficiently in cold weather.

Inside, the XC60 retained its clean, minimalist design, dominated by a portrait-oriented touchscreen. A new digital instrument cluster was the primary update for the interior, maintaining the modern and uncluttered look typical of Volvo. Our test vehicle, a B6 R-Design, featured aluminum mesh speaker grilles and textured seats that added a touch of flair. However, some might find the interior comparatively subdued. The Inscription trim upgraded to Nappa leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, further elevating the luxury feel of the cabin.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan continued with its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 lb-ft of torque at 1,900 rpm. The power was transmitted through an eight-speed automatic transmission to either the front wheels or an optional 4Motion AWD system. The AWD system could send up to half of the power to the rear wheels but decoupled the rear axle to conserve fuel when AWD wasn't needed. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings on AWD models.

While the Tiguan's engine produced decent torque, the delivery was slightly delayed, causing momentary turbo lag during acceleration from a stop. This lag could require extra caution during maneuvers such as turning into traffic. However, once the torque kicked in, the Tiguan was enjoyable to drive, though not as spirited as some might expect from a turbocharged engine. Fuel economy was middling, with the AWD R-Line model achieving around 24 mpg in combined driving.

The Tiguan's ride and handling were characterized by a balance of nimbleness and responsiveness, making it a comfortable daily driver. Nevertheless, pushing the vehicle to its limits revealed the limitations of its tires and suspension, potentially disappointing driving enthusiasts who expect more sportiness from a Volkswagen.

Volvo introduced new mild-hybrid powertrains for the 2022 XC60, replacing the previous T5 and T6 engines. The B5 powertrain combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with a 48-volt electrical system, producing 258 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, while the B6 added an electric supercharger for 295 hp and 310 lb-ft. Both were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the B5 offering FWD or AWD and the B6 exclusively available with AWD.

Despite slightly reduced power compared to the previous year's models, the mild-hybrid XC60 maintained adequate acceleration. The B5 could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, while the B6 managed it in 5.9 seconds. During testing, the B6 R-Design demonstrated smooth power delivery and a comfortable ride, particularly with the optional air suspension, which enhanced ride quality.

Volvo also offered the XC60 Recharge plug-in hybrid, featuring a 2.0-liter turbocharged and supercharged engine paired with an electric motor, resulting in 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. This variant accelerated from zero to 60 mph in just 5 seconds. The XC60 Polestar Engineered version provided even more power, with 415 hp and 494 lb-ft, achieving zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and featuring performance enhancements such as Öhlins dampers and Akebono brakes.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out in its segment with its spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. The cabin was roomy enough for comfort, with an optional third-row seat available in FWD models. Front seats in our SEL R-Line test vehicle were leather-wrapped, offering eight-way power adjustments with heating and ventilation. The driving position could be adjusted for a high, commanding view, while outward visibility and the panoramic glass sunroof added to the airy feel.

The second row was equally spacious, with ample room for adults and the capability to accommodate children’s car seats. The SEL R-Line included rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and sufficient storage. However, new touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard, while sophisticated, proved harder to use than traditional buttons, potentially causing driver distraction.

Cargo space ranked highly in the compact SUV class, although the presence of a third-row seat in FWD models compromised some cargo capacity. Behind the third row, the Tiguan offered a mere 12 cubic feet, expanding to 33 cubic feet with the third row folded. Maximum cargo capacity reached 65.5 cubic feet. The 4Motion AWD model provided more generous cargo space, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and a total of 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Volvo XC60's interior space remained competitive for its segment, despite no changes to its dimensions. While front seat headroom was above average, rear seat headroom was limited compared to rivals. Legroom in both rows was typical for the class.

With the mild-hybrid powertrain, the XC60 offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 49.8 cubic feet with them down. Plug-in hybrid models sacrificed some cargo room, providing 21.1 cubic feet with seats up and 49.3 cubic feet with seats folded. These figures placed the XC60 behind many similarly-sized luxury crossovers in terms of cargo capacity.

Nevertheless, the XC60 offered a commanding driving position and good forward visibility. Despite the pinched roofline, rear visibility was satisfactory, aided by large exterior mirrors.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with standard digital instrumentation across all trims, branded as Digital Cockpit. Most versions featured an 8-inch display, with the SEL R-Line boasting a larger and more advanced 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, introduced in recent years, carried over to all trims except the base S, which used the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen. The MIB3 system offered an 8-inch glass-covered touchscreen, standard Car-Net connected services, App-Connect smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The SEL R-Line trim upgraded to a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system.

However, the much-touted natural voice recognition feature in MIB3 required a subscription upgrade and did not function well in testing without activation. Car-Net included various plans like Remote Access for remote engine start and lock control, and Safe & Secure for emergency assistance, with costs reaching up to $250 annually for complete subscription coverage. Additionally, the Tiguan offered an optional Park Assist system for automated parking, standard in the SEL R-Line trim.

For the 2022 XC60, Volvo's tech updates included switching to the Android Automotive operating system on the 9-inch touchscreen. The new system integrated features like Google Assistant for voice control and Google Maps for navigation. Volvo also enabled over-the-air updates, ensuring the infotainment system stayed current. While the system promised full iPhone compatibility, syncing Google profiles provided extra functionality for Android users. The interface's graphics were crisp, and the layout allowed for efficient navigation through menus, though Apple users might find the Google-centric design less intuitive.

The XC60 also included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, WiFi hotspot, and options for a head-up display and premium audio systems from Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins. The cluster could display a map between the speedometer and tachometer or switch to a "Calm" setting to reduce distractions.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came with several standard and advanced safety features. It included Front Assist, which provided forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and Side Assist, which offered blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The updated IQ Drive suite added Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist, which slowed and stopped the vehicle if the driver became unresponsive. Despite the sophisticated features, the touch-sensitive controls for activating Travel Assist were tricky to use reliably. The 2021 Tiguan had earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, and the newer safety features and LED headlights were expected to enhance the 2022 model's safety ratings.

The 2022 Volvo XC60, though not yet rated by the IIHS and NHTSA at the time, came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and other advanced safety features like automatic post-collision braking and a driver-attention monitor. New additions included Ready to Drive Notification and Emergency Stop Assist. Volvo's Pilot Assist, offering adaptive cruise control and lane centering, was available as part of an option package. The 2021 model had received the highest safety ratings, indicating strong protection for the 2022 version as well.