Pros Spacious cabin Wireless smartphone connectivity Digital gauge cluster Minimalistic styling Large windows and good outward vision
Cons Vague steering Climate touch controls Small third row Small 6.5-inch standard touchscreen
Pros Premium cabin Large cargo hold Composed ride and handling
Cons Sluggish acceleration Finicky infotainment controls
Volkswagen has given its compact SUV a handsome styling refresh for 2022 to help it look at home alongside the restyled Atlas and new Atlas Cross Sport mid-size SUVs. New LED headlamps, revised grille and bumpers, and new wheel designs give the 2022 Tiguan a more modern appearance. The Tiguan's cabin receives updates as well, in the form of a new steering wheel with touch-sensitive controls. Heated seats and a digital gauge display are now standard across the lineup.
Pros Sporty handling, spacious cabin, available third row of seats.
Cons Average acceleration, firm seats, underwhelming interior trimmings.
PROS PHEV drivetrain enables limited electric running at speeds up to 135km/h Excellent blend of everyday comfort, refinement and performance 3500kg towing capacity It shares its drivetrain with the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid
CONS PHEV drivetrain adds handsomely to the weight Li-ion battery robs 70L of boot space Lacks the traditional hardened performance focus for which Volkswagen R models are renowned
“A curious mix of speed and efficiency with a big dollop of comfort. It's just not especially fun ”
PROS Comfy, plush, quick and a company car bargain
CONS Not as nimble as a Cayenne
The VW Touareg R is comfortable, well-equipped and effortless to drive, but not sharp or engaging enough to be considered a true sports SUV. That leaves it in somewhat of a no man’s land. Put simply, those looking for a fast yet relatively frugal sports SUV would be better served by the similarly priced Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid, while those wanting a luxurious and well-rounded plug-in hybrid luxury SUV would be better off with the BMW X5 xDrive45e.
PROS Well-equipped Spacious inside for up to five people Very quiet in electric mode
CONS Cheap-feeling interior Fussy infotainment system Not very exciting to drive
