If you normalise the torque curves of the 1.8 and 2.2 (correct them for different max rev) and compare them, you will see that the 1.8 compete with the 2.2 only in the top part of the rev range - so the 1.8 will lose to the simply stronger 2.2 engine.
But then again - no turbo lag and plenty to gears to choose from makes the 1.8 quite fast if you bother to shift down three og four gears
