The 162TSI R-Line will soon lose its mantle as the sportiest Tiguan, but its appeal remains strong in VW’s mid-size SUV range
The Tiguan has been an out-and-out success for Volkswagen’s growing SUV family in Australia, at one time upholding the brand’s presence across multiple high-riding segments. Now, with the smaller T-Cross and T-Roc offering new entry points, the Tiguan range has seemingly been afforded room to move upmarket in the twilight years of its second generation. That brings us to the 162TSI R-Line, priced at a lofty $55,990 plus on-road costs, but soon to be overshadowed by the $70K Tiguan R.
Recipe for success
The heart of a Volkswagen Golf GTI inside the body of an SUV – it’s a sales pitch that resonates strongly with the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI R-Line.
With the latest updates to VW’s popular mid-size SUV, the formula is as enticing as ever in 2022.
The latest makeover for Volkswagen’s entrant in the fiercely competitive, top-selling SUV segment in Australia, which lines up against a host of rivals from Korea, Japan, Europe and elsewhere, brings a fresh interior and exterior design and more technology – much of it borrowed from the Golf 8 hatch.
In this sporty 162TSI trim, how does the Tiguan compare against like-minded rivals?
Push upmarket
With the smaller Volkswagen T-Cross and T-Roc now offering more affordable entry points into VW’s SUV stable, the Tiguan has seemingly been given room to move in 2022.
The ageing second-generation Tiguan that was launched in 2016 received a substantial update last year that coincided with an entry price increase of about $5000, together with marginal price hikes across the six-model range.
Moving into MY22 late last year has extended the trend. The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan line-up now opens at $41,490 plus on-road costs for the front-wheel drive 110kW/250Nm 1.4-litre turbo-petrol 110TSI Life with six-speed twin-clutch DSG automatic transmission.
The Tiguan 162TSI R-Line driven here sits second from the top at $55,990 plus ORCs.
Standard equipment on the 162TSI R-Line extends to 20-inch Misano alloy wheels, R-Line steering wheel with ‘touch’ haptic feedback buttons, R-Line Vienna leather-appointed upholstery, R-Line side seals, stainless-steel foot pedals, a black headliner, automatic tailgate, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, three-zone climate control, LED Matrix headlights and LED tail-lights with dynamic (strobing) indicators, 30-colour ambient interior lighting and more.
Visually, this sporty Tiguan model is differentiated from lesser variants with an R-Line front and rear bumpers, rear spoiler, grille and side spears.
Infotainment is controlled via a 9.2-inch centre screen with voice and gesture control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus digital radio.
New technologies now standard across the Tiguan range include the 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro virtual instrument cluster, the IQ.Drive Travel Assist self-driving system and Touch Climate Controls.
Replacing Traffic Jam Assist, Travel Assist offers semi-automated steering, acceleration and braking at almost all speeds at the push of a button on a new steering wheel by employing the adaptive lane guidance and adaptive cruise control systems.
On R-Line models, conventional buttons are replaced by touch-force sensitive buttons with haptic feedback.
Also standard across the range, haptic Touch Climate Controls allow users to control fan speed and temperature by sliding their finger or with a slight push without having to take your eyes off the road.
Another standard Tiguan first is Proactive Occupant Protection, which automatically closes the windows and (if fitted) panoramic sliding sunroof, and tightens the front seat belts in the event of an imminent collision.
Even at this high price point, there is scope for optioning the Tiguan 162TSI R-Line.
For example, a $2500 Sound and Vision Package bundles an 11-speaker premium sound system, front, rear and side vision cameras and a head-up display.
Metallic or pearl paint adds $900, while a panoramic electric glass sunroof will set buyers back a further $2000.
The Volkswagen Tiguan retains a five-star ANCAP safety rating first awarded in 2016.
It offers a braked towing capacity of 2500kg and is fitted standard with a space-saver spare tyre.
On the ownership front, the Tiguan is backed by Volkswagen Australia’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.
A five-year servicing Care Plan will set buyers back $2700 at the point of purchase, spaced across 12-month/15,000km intervals.
Pep in its step
The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI R-Line lives up to its sporty positioning thanks in large part to fitment of its prodigious EA888 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine.
Serving up 162kW of power and 350Nm of torque, the 2.0-litre shuffles drive to all four wheels via a fully variable full-time four-wheel drive system.
The same drivetrain has done duty in myriad VW models over the past decade, and requires 95 RON premium unleaded petrol in Australia.
Elsewhere, MacPherson strut front/four-link rear suspension is assisted by adaptive dampers, while progressive steering brings variable tooth spacing on the rack and pinion and a more powerful electric motor than the standard electro-mechanical steering system, for more directness in dynamic driving and lightness at low speed.
All told, VW says the 162TSI Tiguan can notch 0-100km/h in 7.0 seconds, while fuel consumption is rated at 8.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
Nippy dynamics, classy cabin
The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI R-Line drives much in the same way as predecessors from the past six years. And that’s definitely no bad thing.
What has been elevated in the latest update is its cabin presentation.
The latest capacitive touch displays on the climate control interface and steering wheel, together with carryover elements like the digital instrument and excellent 9.2-inch centre display, help underline a cabin that has long felt at the head of the class for comfort and amenity.
Even with a relatively small 4.5-metre length, it is also a space that is demonstrably practical, with adequate front and rear room, together with a 615-litre boot area accessed via an electronic tailgate and rear-mounted seat levers for the 40/20/40-split bench.
With everything folded, it is possible to fit a full-size mountain bike back there. Trust us, we did!
The minimalist centre fascia is easy to navigate and the new steering wheel offers excellent functionality on the move, minimising distraction.
Front-row occupants get a pair of USB-C ports and one 12-volt outlet, together with large door pockets and two open cubby options for odds and ends. A large overhead storage console offers additional hidey holes.
The second row offers reasonable proportions for a couple of little ones or even adults on shorter journeys. Child restraints are covered by ISOFIX attachment points on the outboard seats together with three top-tether strap points.
The Tiguan’s ample glasshouse affords excellent outward viewing, while its seats offer ample comfort and support.
Ultimately, there are soft-to-touch materials at the contact points, with some scratchier plastics in places more out of general sight, but the Tiguan justifies its quasi-premium positioning with the execution of its cabin, and the proven useability of its technology.
That brings us to driving. The Tiguan feels well resolved on the road, combining nippy dynamics with an athletic bent that becomes more apparent on ribboning bitumen.
Light low-speed steering and an 11.9-metre turning circle ensure easy progress through tight spaces, and no blemishes to our tester’s 20-inch Misano alloys.
The Tiguan feels pleasant upon setting off, underlined by a controlled firmness to its suspension that feels progressive yet largely resists thudding or crashing save for sharper imperfections.
Less enamouring is the low-speed reaction of the engine and gearbox, which is subject to some lurching and hesitation upon first setting off. We’ve reported the same issue in these pages many times before; it’s no deal-breaker, but it’s still present nonetheless.
From there, the drivetrain is well-timed and refined: peak engine torque materialises from just 1500rpm, while the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission does its thing with smooth, expedient shifts – either under acceleration or braking.
The engine is never stressed either. Unlike some alternatives, it never feels underdone on big descents, and it will pull hard building to highway passage, whereupon the needle barely sits above idle speed.
We managed between 6.0L/100km and 8.7L/100km in the Tiguan, depending on driving.
On all surfaces, the Tiguan offers adequate noise suppression from the outside elements. Coarse-chip surfaces will invoke a dull roar – though not to deal-breaking levels – and there is some thudding evident over sharper obstacles. It’s par for the course on low-profile rubber and sporty suspension.
Elsewhere, the Tiguan feels tied-down and well-resolved in its ride and handling mix. On one hand its 1691kg kerb mass affords excellent immediacy during changes in direction; on the other it lacks the stability and grip that define the more focused performance SUV genre.
Its all-wheel drive system also feels heavily front-biased in headier driving.
Of course, you can expect the forthcoming Tiguan R to remedy some of these shortcomings.
To be fair, we still reckon it’s a terrific balancing act regardless. The Tiguan is an enjoyable SUV to drive in daily conveyance and will happily tackle a testing road.
It naturally appeals to those who prefer a tauter body and steering that is direct and accurate, if a little light on feedback.
A good thing
The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI R-Line has become the most sought-after variant in VW’s mid-size SUV line-up locally.
It will soon lose its status as the sportiest model in the range, with the arrival of the $70K Tiguan R.
But the R-Line offers a fine balance of pace, grace and practicality.
Even with a ballooning price tag, we can’t see its popularity waning any time soon.
How much does the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI R-Line cost?Price: $55,990 (plus on-road costs)Available: NowEngine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrolOutput: 162kW/350NmTransmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automaticFuel: 8.5L/100km (ADR Combined)CO2: 195g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2016)
Keyword: Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI R-Line 2022 Review