Passenger's side front angle view of Cavalry Blue 2022 Toyota RAV4

2022 Toyota RAV4 Conquers 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan in a Crossover SUV Competition

Check out this 2022 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan head-to-head comparison. The RAV4 once again shows why it’s the best-selling compact crossover SUV.

by Mark Putzer

Published on January 31, 2022 12:15 am

3 min read

The Toyota RAV4 has long dominated the compact crossover SUV segment. It’s easy to see why — for the RAV4 has many positive attributes. This includes a lengthy list of standard features, off-road capabilities, and high-level utility and practicality. One of the RAV4’s crossover SUV competitors is the Volkswagen Tiguan. See how the RAV4 continues its domination in this 2022 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan crossover SUV competition.

2022 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

For this 2022 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan head-to-head comparison, we evaluated several different areas. This includes performance, efficiency, off-road capabilities, towing, safety, passenger and cargo space, interior features and technologies, warranty coverage, reliability, and price.

RAV4 vs. Tiguan: Performance and efficiency

Oryx White 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan parked near a forest — Oryx White 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan | Volkswagen

Buyers of the 2022 Toyota RAV4 have a choice of three powertrains: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (203 hp), a hybrid (219 hp), and a plug-in hybrid with the RAV4 Prime (308 hp). In comparison, all 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan models are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (184 hp).

For efficiency, the RAV4 has the advantage. The gas-powered RAV4 has an estimated fuel economy of up to 30 combined mpg, while the RAV4 Hybrid has a gas mileage of up to 40 combined mpg. The RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid has a fuel efficiency of 94 MPGe when in electric-only mode and 38 combined mpg in hybrid mode. In comparison, the Tiguan has an estimated fuel economy of up to 26 combined mpg.

RAV4 vs. Tiguan: Off-road capabilities and towing

While both crossover SUVs offer a traction-enhancing all-wheel drive system, the RAV4 is better for off-road use. For one, it has higher ground clearance than the Tiguan (up to 8.6 inches vs. 7.6 inches). Also, unlike the Tiguan, the RAV4 offers off-road-focused models with the RAV4 TRD Off-Road and RAV4 Adventure trims.

Do you have towing needs? The maximum towing capacity of the RAV4 is 3,500 pounds. In comparison, the Tiguan can tow up to 1,500 pounds.

RAV4 vs. Tiguan: Safety

On the safety front, both the RAV4 and Tiguan offer safety and driving assistance features like a blind-spot monitoring system, brake assist, stability control, a rear parking aid, and a backup camera. Also, both crossover SUVs earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick Safety award.

RAV4 vs. Tiguan: Passenger and cargo space

The Tiguan is a slightly bigger SUV than the RAV4, resulting in more passenger space. The total passenger volume of the Tiguan is 123.9 cu-ft, compared to 98.9 cu-ft for the RAV4. However, the RAV4 provides more space for storage. It has a maximum cargo capacity of 69.8 cu-ft, compared to 65.3 cu-ft for the Tiguan.

RAV4 vs. Tiguan: Interior features and technologies

The RAV4 and Tiguan offer a similar roster of interior features and technologies. This includes a Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, a sunroof/moonroof, heated front seats, and a navigation system. However, unlike the Tiguan, the RAV4 offers ventilated front seats and heated rear seats.

RAV4 vs. Tiguan: Warranty coverage and reliability

For warranty coverage, the RAV4 has the backing of a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. In comparison, the Tiguan has a 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and a 4-year/50,000-mile powertrain warranty.

For reliability, the RAV4 has the advantage. It earned a J.D. Power reliability rating of 81/100, compared to 76/100 for the Tiguan.

RAV4 vs. Tiguan: Price

Which crossover SUV costs more: the 2022 RAV4 or the 2022 Tiguan? The starting prices of the 2022 RAV4 range from $26,525 MSRP for the LE trim up to $43,125 MSRP for the RAV4 Prime XSE trim. In comparison, the starting prices of the 2022 Tiguan range from $26,295 MSRP for the 2.0T S trim up to $36,970 MSRP for the 2.0T SEL R-Line trim.

2022 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan: Which crossover SUV is better?

In our 2022 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan comparison, the 2022 RAV4 dominates the 2022 Tiguan in many different ways. Advantages for the 2022 RAV4 include performance, efficiency, off-road capabilities, towing, cargo space, interior features and technologies, and powertrain warranty coverage. For the 2022 Tiguan, the only advantages it has are passenger space, basic warranty coverage, and price.

Staff Writer, Producer - SUVs

Mark Putzer

With seven years of experience writing in the automotive industry prior to joining MotorBiscuit in 2021, Mark’s work can be found on dealership websites across North America. A Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison sent Mark into the wilderness for environmental studies. Here, he discovered a passion for driving off-road trucks and SUVs off the beaten path.

During his extensive international travels, Mark developed an affinity for foreign cars and international automotive markets. Inspired by the industry-wide push toward environmentally-friendly EVs and hybrids, Mark covers topics about recent advances in the automotive industry, in addition to everything from off-road concepts to emerging EV technology.