Compared: 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs. 2022 Honda CR-V
These two family-friendly crossovers compete in the compact SUV segment, but have enough differences that making a decision could be simple.
Volkswagen | Honda
QuickTakes:
The 2022 Honda CR-V and 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan are priced and sized to compete directly with each other. That said, they appeal to shoppers — and their wallets — in different ways. While the Honda offers efficient powertrains along with a spacious cabin, the Tiguan delivers cool tech and extra seating for a similar outlay.
Honda
Pricing for the Tiguan and CR-V are slightly different depending on the trim
The Volkswagen is priced less than the Honda — but only slightly. Base prices on both the entry-level Tiguan S and CR-V LX are around $28,000. Upgrading to an all-wheel drive (AWD) on either is a $1,500 charge.
However, the script flips when it comes to fully loaded models. A Tiguan SEL R-Line AWD is slightly more expensive than the CR-V Touring AWD, but each comes in at about $38,000. While the difference comes down to just a few hundred dollars, every penny counts when you’re trying to save some cash.
Volkswagen
The CR-V is low-tech compared to the Tiguan
Despite a lower base price, the Tiguan includes more desirable standard equipment. Every version comes with blind-spot monitoring, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, heated front seats, and a digital gauge cluster. You’ll pay extra for any of that in the Honda, except for the last item, which isn’t offered on any CR-V with the gas engine.
Additionally, Tiguan S and SE trims feature seating for seven, while no CR-V can seat more than five. The second-row seats in the Volkswagen offer more versatility, with the ability to slide nearly 8 inches fore and aft and a 40/20/40 folding split. The Honda’s rear seat offers only a 60/40 split. The Tiguan also has available ventilated front seats and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity on some models.
The Honda CR-V seems low-tech in comparison. One important item to point out: If you’re on a budget, know that the base CR-V LX model doesn’t include Android Auto or Apple CarPlay support, which some new-car buyers may consider nonnegotiable. On the EX and above, you’ll have to plug a phone into a USB port to mirror your phones. However, the Honda does feature standard adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance, which are only available in mid-level or higher trim levels of the Tiguan.
Volkswagen
2022 Honda CR-V takes the lead with better fuel economy
The Honda CR-V gets far more efficient gas mileage than the Volkswagen Tiguan. The front-wheel-drive Honda with its 190-hp 1.5-liter turbocharged engine is rated at 28/34/30 mpg city/highway/combined. The AWD model lowers that to 27/32/29 mpg. Starting at about $33,000, the CR-V Hybrid lofts fuel economy to 40/35/38 mpg, and comes with standard AWD.
The Tiguan uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that makes 184 horsepower, with front-wheel-drive models rated at 23/30/26 mpg. The AWD models get 1 less mpg in each category, coming in at 22/29/25 mpg. However, the AWD R-Line model is even less fuel-efficient and is expected to return 21/28/24 mpg.
All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication), and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.
