You’re standing in a dealership lot, looking at a sea of crossovers that all look like melted jellybeans. Then you see it. The 2022 Tiguan SEL R Line sits there with those sharp, horizontal creases and those massive 20-inch alloy wheels that honestly look like they belong on an Audi. It’s a weirdly handsome car. Most people shopping for a compact SUV end up in a RAV4 or a CR-V because they’re playing it safe, but the SEL R-Line is for the person who wants to feel like they’ve "made it" without actually paying the $55,000 sticker price for a BMW X3.
It’s the top-tier trim. Basically, Volkswagen took their sensible family hauler and gave it a sharp suit and some expensive shoes.
But here is the thing.
The 2022 model year was a massive pivot point for the Tiguan. It got a facelift that smoothed out the nose and added that illuminated light bar across the grille—very "ID.4-ish." However, it also leaned hard into touch-sensitive controls, which has become a bit of a polarizing topic among owners. Some people love the sleek look of the glass-covered dash; others just want a physical knob to turn down the air conditioning. If you're looking at one today, you're likely seeing it as a certified pre-owned (CPO) option or a high-end used buy, and there are some specific things about this 2.0T engine and the 4Motion system that you absolutely need to know before signing anything.
Why the SEL R-Line stands out in a crowded parking lot
Usually, when a car company adds "R-Line" to a badge, it's just some stickers and maybe a different steering wheel. Not really the case here. The 2022 Tiguan SEL R Line is the only way to get the high-tech bells and whistles that make the Tiguan feel premium. You get the R-Line bumpers, which are much more aggressive and body-colored, doing away with that cheap-looking black plastic cladding found on the lower S or SE trims.
It looks expensive.
Inside, the story is the same. You’re sitting on Noisette (brown) or Titan Black leather seats that are ventilated. In July, that's a godsend. You also get the Fender Premium Audio system. Ask any VW enthusiast—the Fender system is legendary for having actual punchy bass and clarity that rivals systems in cars twice the price. It uses a 480-watt amp and nine speakers, including a subwoofer tucked into the spare tire well. It's loud. It's crisp.
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But it isn't just about the speakers. The Digital Cockpit Pro is standard on this trim. Instead of old-school needles, you have a 10.25-inch screen that can show the entire navigation map right behind the steering wheel. Audi calls this "Virtual Cockpit," and since VW owns Audi, they basically just moved the tech over. It makes the 2022 Tiguan SEL R Line feel like it’s from the future, even compared to some 2024 models from competitors.
The Elephant in the Room: Those Touch Sliders
We have to talk about the steering wheel. In 2022, VW replaced physical buttons on the R-Line steering wheel with haptic touch pads. You don't "click" them; you press them and get a little vibration back. Honestly, it takes about a week to get used to. At first, you’ll accidentally skip a song while turning the wheel in a parking lot. It’s annoying. But once your muscle memory kicks in, it’s fine. The climate controls are the same—capacitive sliders. Want it colder? Slide your finger. It looks incredibly clean at night, all glowing in white and red, but it’s definitely a "love it or hate it" situation.
Performance: Is the 2.0T enough for a heavy SUV?
Under the hood lives the EA888 engine. This is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. It puts out 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. Now, let’s be real for a second. If you’re expecting a GTI in an SUV body, you might be slightly disappointed. The Tiguan is heavy. Especially with the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system found in the SEL R-Line.
It’s "adequate."
The 8-speed automatic transmission is smooth, though. It’s not the dual-clutch DSG found in the Golf R, but a traditional torque-converter automatic from Aisin. This means it doesn't jerk in stop-and-go traffic. It feels planted. On the highway, the 2022 Tiguan SEL R Line is remarkably quiet. VW uses a lot of sound deadening, and the R-Line's larger wheels don't actually ruin the ride quality as much as you’d think. The suspension is tuned for comfort, not carving corners.
Fuel economy is where the reality check happens.
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- City: 21 mpg
- Highway: 28 mpg
- Combined: 24 mpg
If you have a heavy foot, you’ll see those numbers dip into the teens. It’s not a hybrid. If you want 40 mpg, go buy a RAV4 Hybrid. But if you want a car that feels solid, heavy, and "German" on the highway, the Tiguan wins. The 4Motion system is also quite smart; it’s front-wheel-drive biased to save gas, but it can send up to 50% of the power to the rear wheels before you even realize you’ve lost traction in the snow.
The Weird Third Row Situation
Here is a fact that trips people up: the 2022 Tiguan SEL R Line with 4Motion does not come with a third row as standard. In fact, for the 2022 model year, if you wanted the AWD, you generally lost the third row because the rear differential takes up the space where the seats would fold.
Is that a bad thing? Probably not.
The third row in a Tiguan is tiny. It’s meant for people you don't actually like, or perhaps very small children. By removing it in the SEL R-Line AWD, you get a massive trunk. We're talking 37.6 cubic feet of space behind the second row. If you fold those seats down, it opens up to 73.4 cubic feet. You can fit a mountain bike in there without taking the front wheel off if you’re creative. It’s one of the largest "compact" SUVs on the market because it's built on the "long wheelbase" (LWB) platform.
Safety and the IQ.DRIVE Suite
Volkswagen didn't skimp on the safety tech for the 2022 refresh. The SEL R-Line comes standard with IQ.DRIVE. This isn't just a fancy name; it’s a suite of semi-autonomous driving features. Travel Assist is the big one. It combines adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. On a long road trip, you can basically keep your hands lightly on the wheel, and the car will steer itself through gentle curves and maintain distance from the car in front.
It’s surprisingly competent.
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It also has "Emergency Assist." If the car detects that you haven't touched the steering wheel or responded to prompts for a while (maybe you’ve had a medical emergency), it will actually pulse the brakes, tighten the seatbelt, and eventually bring the car to a full stop in its lane with the hazard lights on. It’s a bit morbid to think about, but it’s a high-end safety feature you usually only see in Mercedes or Volvos.
Real World Ownership: What Goes Wrong?
No car is perfect. The 2022 Tiguan SEL R Line has a few quirks that owners talk about in the forums.
The B-Cycle engine (VW's version of the Miller cycle) is designed for efficiency, but it can sometimes feel a bit sluggish off the line. There’s a tiny bit of turbo lag. Some owners also report that the panoramic sunroof—which is huge and beautiful—can occasionally develop squeaks or leaks if the drain tubes aren't kept clear. If you’re buying used, check the headliner for water spots.
Also, the 20-inch wheels. They look incredible. But when it’s time to buy new tires? Be prepared to pay. Low-profile 20-inch tires aren't cheap, and they are more prone to pothole damage than the 17-inch wheels on the base model. If you live in a city with "craters" instead of roads, keep that in mind.
Comparing the SEL R-Line to the Rest of the Pack
| Feature | Tiguan SEL R-Line | Mazda CX-5 Turbo | Honda CR-V Touring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L Turbo (184 hp) | 2.5L Turbo (250 hp) | 1.5L Turbo (190 hp) |
| AWD System | 4Motion (Proactive) | i-ACTIV (Predictive) | Real Time AWD |
| Tech Focus | Digital Screens/Lighting | Premium Materials | Practicality/Ergonomics |
| Cargo Space | High (73.4 cu ft) | Low (59.3 cu ft) | High (75.8 cu ft) |
The Mazda is faster. The Honda is probably going to have better resale value in ten years. But the Tiguan feels the most "adult." It has a level of poise and German engineering—like the way the doors thud when you shut them—that the others lack.
Is it worth the premium?
If you're looking at a 2022 Tiguan SEL R Line, you're looking at the peak of what this generation of Tiguan could be. You get the 360-degree overhead camera (Area View), which makes parking in tight spots effortless. You get the Park Assist, where the car literally steers itself into a parking space while you just handle the brakes. For a lot of people, these "luxury" touches make the daily commute significantly less stressful.
Actionable Steps for Potential Buyers
If you are seriously considering putting one of these in your driveway, don't just look at the price tag. Here is how you should actually vet a used 2022 model:
- Check the Infotainment Firmware: Early 2022 models had some software glitches where the screen would black out. Ensure the dealership has performed all the "OTA" (Over-The-Air) updates or manual shop updates.
- Inspect the Sunroof Drains: This is the "VW Special." Ask if the sunroof drains have been cleaned. If there’s any sign of moisture in the footwells, walk away.
- Test the Haptics: Spend 10 minutes just playing with the steering wheel buttons while parked. If you find them infuriating now, you’ll hate them in six months. If they feel okay, you're good to go.
- Verify the Warranty: 2022 models came with a 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. Depending on the original in-service date, you might still have a year or more of factory coverage left. Look for a CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) unit to tack on an extra year of protection.
The 2022 Tiguan SEL R Line isn't a race car, and it isn't a rock crawler. It’s a stylish, tech-heavy, highly practical German crossover that makes you feel like you’ve spent more than you actually did. In a world of boring SUVs, that’s a pretty strong selling point. Just make sure you’re okay with sliding your finger to change the volume, and you’ll likely find it’s one of the best daily drivers in its class.