The 2022 VW Tiguan Got a Poor Rating by Consumer Reports in One Specific Area

The 2022 VW Tiguan has many things going for it, but Consumer Reports gave it a poor rating in one important area. Is this a deal-breaker?
Written by Katie Dyer
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
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A white 2022 VW Tiguan driving down the road
If you’re looking for a
new car
this year, you may have seen the 2022
Volkswagen
Tiguan. The German compact crossover SUV has been restyled for the current model year. 
While the Tiguan has many positive attributes,
Consumer Reports
predicts the expected reliability of the current Tiguan to be poor. There is already a recall, a history of poor reliability, and some specific problems that seem to crop up with the past Tiguans. 
So, is the Tiguan right for you?

What’s new this year for the Tiguan?

The 2022 model year Tiguan is larger, plus it received updated full LED headlights, bumpers, grille, as well as newly designed larger wheels even on the base models. Also, the steering wheel is now touch-sensitive, the seats are heated, and the gauges have gone digital. 
In addition, the models above the base trim level have some new safety features like lane-assist, adaptive cruise control, and VW Travel Assist, which is a mode that provides semi-automatic driving. The mid-range trim level adds larger wheels, a power liftgate, and an option for a panoramic sunroof. 
Consumer Reports ranks the Tiguan high on the road test, transmission, and handling. It also praises it for its comfort and convenience. It gets good crash test ratings and good marks for access and climate. However, when it comes to
reliability
, the scores are abysmal. 

Reliability rating

MORE: Why You Should Consider an SUV Over a Sedan
The overall Consumer Reports reliability score of the 2022 VW Tiguan is 1 out of 5, and is depicted in a bright, warning red. 
Consumer Reports says, “We expect the 2022 Tiguan will be much less reliable than the average new car. This prediction is based on data from 2019, 2020, and 2021 models.” They identified 17 “potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, and brakes to power equipment and the electrical system.”
The owner reported problems for the 2021 Tiguan included:
  • Electronics: displays suddenly going blank, phone pairing problems, voice control issues, steering wheel controls, cameras/sensors. 
  • Body: rattling sounds, cracked seals, leaks.
  • Minor engine and suspension: problems with belts and pulleys, computers, engine mounts, leaks, shocks, wheel bearings, alignment, rack and pinion, power steering, electronic and air suspension among others.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, there is also a current recall. “A loose brake pipe nut may allow brake fluid to leak, extending the distance required to stop and increasing the risk of a crash,” says  Consumer Reports.

Reviews of the 2022 VW Tiguan

Owner satisfaction reviews rank high on comfort and stying, but value and driving experience are lower in the mid-ranges, as reported by Consumer Reports. 
As
Car and Driver
says, “Volkswagen's Tiguan … offers more athletic handling than many of its rivals, and its cabin has a restrained vibe with plenty of trendy technology features, earning it a spot on our
Editors' Choice list
.” 
The 2022 Tiguan offers a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 184 hp. There is an option for four-wheel drive, but they come standard with front-wheel drive. 
Car and Driver report that while the Tiguan doesn’t turn out superior numbers for speed, the engine performs well and has the feel of a zippy, sporty drive. Also, unlike the Honda CR-V, and the Toyota RAV4, the Tiguan is a rare smaller-sized SUV that offers three rows of seats.  
“This is a sporty, fun-to-drive SUV with a smooth, willing engine and a well-coordinated automatic transmission. Like most of its competitors, it's far from fast, but it makes up for that with a taut ride, athletic handling, and responsive steering with a whisper of sportiness…,” says Car and Driver.
Like most cars, there is lots to love about the 2022 VW Tiguan, but there are a few potential issues as well. Do your research and you’ll make the right choice on whether this car is the right choice for you!

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