Daily commuting can be miserable when you don’t have a comfortable car, especially if you feel you need to sacrifice comfort for fuel economy. Matters become even more complicated if you need an SUV for managing bad weather, but you don’t like the expense of fueling up at the pump. Fortunately, Volkswagen offers a number of compact SUVs that have a good mixture of comfort, roomy interior space, and fuel economy, especially if you’re willing to entertain a fully electric option. VW also includes loads of technology for both entertainment and safety, so you have choices for content you want to hear during your commute and you get great standard driver-assist features. Here, we give a snapshot of three compact SUVs you will find at your Volkswagen dealer in 2022.
2022 VW Tiguan
The VW Tiguan has earned its place as a popular SUV for families, particularly due to its versatile interior that can come as either a five-passenger or seven-passenger compact SUV. Though it may sound larger than you might want for a commute, fuel economy is great for the segment at 23 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway. Subtract one MPG if you add the available all-wheel drive, and stay away from the SEL R-Line if fuel economy really matters, as it subtracts two from the standard front-wheel drive fuel economy. And with four available trims, the entry-level 2022 Tiguan starts at $26,295.
Numerous standard features make the 2022 Tiguan a feast for those who love technology. VW includes its Digital Cockpit which has a customizable high-resolution display, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard features. Standard WiFi can support up to four devices at once, and available options like a Sirius XM 360L trial or a Fender audio system can spice up your daily drive. Driver-assist technology that comes standard for the 2022 Tiguan includes features like a Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Traffic Alert, and Light Assist, plus an available enhanced suite of features called IQ Drive can add Adaptive Cruise Control, Emergency Assist, and Lane Assist. All of these features can take the sting out of having to drive every day, especially with driver-assist features watching your back.
Being able to warm or cool your SUV before you leave in the morning or when you’re ready to drive home from work no longer means being within throwing distance of your vehicle; VW’s CarNet connected service has remote features that operate through an app on your phone. Some features are standard, while others require a subscription, but remote start and vehicle location are two features included in the service at no charge. Very convenient to be in your office and hit the remote start button from the depths of the building, right?
Daily commuters shouldn’t have to go without a few comforts, especially if you spend a lot of time driving. Little things can make a big difference in the quality of your drive, like having heated or ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, or even a panoramic sunroof so you can soak up some sun on the way to work. Each of these features is available, as well as upgraded leatherette upholstery that’s easier to keep clean than the standard cloth, a welcome feature when you realize how much of your breakfast fell on the seat while you kept your eyes on the road. If you happen to be a commuter who needs a lot of cargo space, you have it with the Tiguan. Up to 73.4 cubic feet is available when the seats are folded down so you can travel with large items if you need the room. All that, and the option for a hands-free liftgate, too.
2022 VW Taos
If you prefer to go smaller and less expensive, VW offers the compact Taos SUV. For a starting price of $22,995, this five-seater gets good fuel economy and still has enough room for lots of stuff. Carpools are still within reach even though this SUV is smaller than the Tiguan, with generous legroom in both front and back. In fact, the legroom in the rear seat is less than an inch different from the Tiguan at 37.9 inches, enough for even six-foot-tall adults, which is handy if you ever carpool with your coworkers.
With the peppy four-cylinder engine, you get plenty of acceleration for passing on the highway but still get 28 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway. All-wheel drive is available for all trims, and it actually comes with a different suspension system that can dampen road chatter and make for a smoother ride. Like the Tiguan, the 2022 Taos also comes with four drive modes when all-wheel drive is added.
Perhaps more importantly, VW makes supportive seats that won’t leave you feeling like you need a chiropractor after long trips. Seats can come with heat and ventilation, and the steering wheel can be heated as well. Remote start is included with the standard CarNet features like the Tiguan, so you don’t have to sacrifice convenience to drive a smaller vehicle. Rain-sensing wipers are available, as well as an Adaptive Front-Lighting System that swivels the headlights around curves to be able to see where you’re headed at night. If you live on a country road and leave before the sun rises or you work long into the night, adaptive headlights are almost magical. Plus, you get a cool illuminated grille with that feature, and you can go hog wild with the available ambient lighting that comes in 15 colors. Why not have fun if you spend a lot of time in your car?
Like the Tiguan, the 2022 Taos can come with a panoramic sunroof, though the sound system in the Taos upgrades to Beats Audio instead of a Fender audio system. The Digital Cockpit and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, while wireless charging and a Sirius XM 360L are available. Driver-assist technology like Dynamic Road Sign Display and a Blind Spot Monitor are standard in the suite of five features, and IQ Drive enhanced features can be added. Once again, despite the smaller size of the Taos, the interior is surprisingly roomy. Cargo space of up to 65.9 cubic feet is available with the rear seats folded down, which means your commuter SUV can also double as a vacationer’s delight.
2022 VW ID.4
With the 2022 VW ID.4, you never need to worry about fuel efficiency. Driving range becomes the focus, and the ID.4 gets up to 260 miles on a fully-charged battery. A fully electric vehicle can take a little adjustment compared to driving gas-powered cars, but not in a bad way. Electric vehicles have instant torque because of the responsive drivetrain, and when you add all-wheel drive to the ID.4 you get extra horsepower from the second motor placed over the front axle. This compact SUV is standard as rear-wheel drive, a departure from the Taos and Tiguan’s front-wheel drive setup. Rear-wheel drive models of the ID.4 make 201 hp, while the all-wheel drive makes 295 hp, a big difference. It bears mentioning that the ID.4 only has room for four, though it may not matter if you commute alone.
At a starting price of $40,760, VW’s first fully electric vehicle isn’t cheap, but it does qualify for federal tax credit that significantly impacts the overall cost. With that cost, however, comes a bevy of standard features like a fixed panoramic glass roof with an automated shade, illuminated exterior features like door handles and the grille, and a large standard 12-inch touchscreen in the center stack. Unique features like a light bar in the dash will animate with sequences matched to incoming calls or driver-assist features, and an intuitive start feature senses the key fob when you approach to turn on the SUV automatically, rather than simply unlocking it. Of course, you still get the benefit of CarNet services with the 2022 ID.4, and that higher price also gets you standard enhanced driver-assist features from IQ Drive.
If you drive long distances for your workday, this may not be the right fit unless you have good access to charging stations along the routes you drive. Volkswagen does provide three years of 30-minute charging sessions at rapid-charging stations through Electrify America, which is adding more stations along highways over the next few years. For the time being, buyers with home chargers are likely to find that is the simplest way to make an EV work best for commutes, though some employers have charging stations available so you can charge while you work during the day. If your commute fits within the allotted 260 miles, however, the ID.4 could be a great option.
Volkswagen SUVs for Everyone
Finding the perfect new vehicle can be a challenge. Luckily, Volkswagen offers some unbeatable options within their lineup. Whether you go with the more expensive EV, the larger Tiguan, or the tidy Taos, VW offers commuters several roomy, comfortable, and efficient SUVs. So what are you waiting for?
