2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs Volkswagen Tiguan | Lewisville, TX

Volkswagen has a lineup of quality SUVs for sale, which you can find here at Lewisville Volkswagen. Two of the most popular SUVs on our lot are the Atlas and Tiguan. If you’re not familiar with the VW brand, you may not know the differences between the 2022 Atlas and the 2022 Tiguan, so here’s a rundown to help you choose between them.

Size

Looking at the Tiguan and Atlas side by side, you’ll notice their biggest difference right away: their size. The Atlas has a wheelbase that’s 7.6 inches longer, which results in a length that’s 14 inches longer than the Tiguan. That extra length makes the turning radius of the Atlas measure about 3 feet bigger than the compact Tiguan’s. The Atlas is also about 4 inches taller, providing more headroom for passengers. Without passengers, the curb weight of the Atlas is 500 pounds heavier than the Tiguan is. Looking at the base models, the Atlas uses larger 18-inch wheels, whereas the Tiguan uses 17-inch ones, being a smaller SUV.

Seating

How do those exterior dimensions translate to the cabin? The Atlas offers more room for cargo and passengers. The Atlas offers 154 cubic feet of passenger volume, while the Tiguan offers 124. Both the Tiguan and the Atlas can seat seven people across three rows of seats, but the Atlas is designed to better accommodate those third-row passengers. Both models offer a seven-seat configuration (optional on the Tiguan), but getting in and out of that third row is easier inside the Atlas. You can squeeze seven people into the Tiguan, but they’ll have more shoulder room and legroom on the Atlas — especially in the third row. Having a third row on the Tiguan also cuts down on cargo space. So, if you plan on driving with six or seven passengers regularly, go with the larger Atlas.  

Trim Levels and Pricing

Being that the Atlas is the bigger model of the two, it comes with a higher starting MSRP, about $8,000 more than what a base-model Tiguan would cost you. The lower-priced Tiguan starts with the S trim as its base with the option of upgrading to SE, SE R-Line, or SEL R-Line. The Atlas skips an S trim and starts with the SE trim as the base, offering the SE with Technology, SEL, SEL R-Line, and SEL Premium R-Line trims as higher options. If you don’t need the extra space that the Atlas provides, you may prefer to save money by purchasing a 2022 Tiguan.  

Power and Efficiency

The standard engines on both the 2022 Atlas and the 2022 Tiguan are similarly designed 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged units, though some enhancements on the Atlas’ version milk it for an extra 49 horsepower and 37 lb-ft of torque. With its increased size and weight, that extra power on the Atlas helps keep it nimble when accelerating — especially when you have a full crew accompanying you.

That means the Tiguan is the SUV with the high fuel efficiency, able to conserve more gas per mile than the Atlas does. To make up for that, the fuel tank on the Atlas is 3.3 gallons bigger than the one on the Tiguan, so you can still drive far in Texas before stopping to refuel. Also, the Atlas requires premium fuel, but the Tiguan just uses regular gas.  

Standard Features

That bigger price tag on the Atlas does come with some extra perks beyond its larger size. Since the Atlas starts with the SE trim, it does throw in additional goodies on that base model, such as rain-sensing wipers, 10-way adjustable driver’s seat, auto-dimming rearview mirror, Power-adjustable lumbar support for driver´s seat, V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces. Those luxuries aren’t included on the Tiguan S base model.  

If you’ve decided which SUV is right for you — or if you want to take a closer look before deciding — we invite you to visit Lewisville Volkswagen for a test drive. The best way to choose your next vehicle is, of course, to drive it yourself.