2022 BMW X3 vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured clean lines and balanced proportions, offering a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic. While some might have found its understated styling boring, it was designed to age well. The Tiguan was notably large for its class, with a long-wheelbase version that provided ample interior space, nearly matching the size of a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento. This upsizing resulted in a roomy and accommodating interior, with optional third-row seating expanding passenger capacity to seven, though three of those would need to be children. The interior combined modern geometric forms with a no-nonsense control layout, though it had some quirks like the engine start button's location. The cabin featured shiny detailing, digital instrumentation, and a touchscreen infotainment system, but it had too much hard plastic to be mistaken for an Audi.

In contrast, the 2022 BMW X3 presented a more aggressive exterior design with a larger kidney grille and slimmer adaptive full LED headlights. The rear featured new taillights with a black surround and pincer claw-shaped brake light LEDs. The X3 offered various exterior updates, including an M Sport Package and new paint options. Standard 19-inch gray aluminum-alloy wheels were matched with all-season run-flat tires, and an aerodynamically-optimized 19-inch wheel was available for better fuel economy. The X3 M40i added more M-specific features, including a high-gloss black double-bar grille and M-designed light-alloy wheels. The interior of the X3 was clean and efficient, with dark oak wood trim, power-adjustable front Sport seats, and new perforated SensaTec synthetic leather upholstery. The X3 offered a range of interior color choices and ambient lighting options, making it a comfortable and practical choice for a compact crossover.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels by default, with 4Motion AWD available as an option. The powertrain was adequate but suffered from turbocharger lag, making it feel breathless during passing maneuvers. The Tiguan's nearly 4,000-pound curb weight contributed to this perception of lethargy. The EPA rated the Tiguan at 25 mpg combined for FWD and 24 mpg for AWD, though real-world testing showed an average of 22.6 mpg for the AWD model. Despite its powertrain limitations, the Tiguan provided a pleasurable driving experience with light but responsive steering, a compliant ride, and nimble handling. However, it struggled with sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks, and its tires gave up grip early in corners.

The 2022 BMW X3 featured an eight-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters as standard. The X3 sDrive30i and xDrive30i were powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 6 seconds. The X3 sDrive30i had an EPA rating of 23 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined, while the xDrive30i offered 21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. The X3 M40i added a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, producing 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. The M40i's EPA rating was 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. The X3 provided a comfortable and compliant ride, with the M40i offering a more exhilarating driving experience thanks to its additional power and M-specific features.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors and tall seating hip points for easy entry and exit. The front seats offered a wide range of adjustments, and the V-Tex leatherette upholstery provided good support. The back seat was spacious with excellent occupant support, generous legroom, and foot space. The Tiguan offered a large panoramic sunroof and various storage options, though storage space was somewhat limited. The 40/20/40-split folding rear seat allowed for flexible cargo space, with a maximum capacity ranging from 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet, depending on the presence of the optional third-row seat.

The 2022 BMW X3 also delivered on comfort and practicality, with seating for five and ample storage space. The rear seats featured a 40/20/40-split, providing enough cargo room for multiple bags and equipment. The SensaTec faux-leather seats were comfortable, with the upgraded Vernasca leather adding more softness. The X3 offered a multitude of adjustability for every occupant, though the thigh-support cushion control handle could be an issue for some drivers. The redesigned center console and larger infotainment system improved accessibility and usability. The X3's interior was well-appointed, with features like a panoramic sunroof, heated seats, and a head-up display available in higher trims.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the next-generation Modular Infotainment Toolkit (MIB3) platform starting with the SE trim. MIB3 included an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing times, and expanded features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The system had some quirks, and the standard six-speaker sound system struggled with certain music. The SEL Premium R-Line trim offered a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system. Both the SEL and SEL Premium R-Line featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation.

The 2022 BMW X3 came standard with BMW Live Cockpit Plus with iDrive 7 telematics, featuring a 5.1-inch color display instrument panel and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen. The system included navigation, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa integration, two USB ports, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and various connected digital features. An optional Live Cockpit Professional enlarged both screens to 12.3 inches and provided a fully-digital experience. The X3 offered a 12-speaker 205-watt HiFi sound system as standard, with a Harman Kardon surround sound system available for the M40i trim. Other tech options included a Convenience Package and a Premium Package, adding features like a panoramic sunroof, heated seats, and a head-up display.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with the IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Starting with the SE trim, adaptive cruise control was included, with lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist added in the SEL trim. The SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights and front and rear parking sensors. The Tiguan's adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were effective but had some inconsistencies. The SUV also featured a standard reversing camera and automatic post-collision braking. Car-Net connected services provided additional safety features like automatic collision notification and Family Guardian alerts. The 2021 Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.

The 2022 BMW X3 received a five-star crash safety rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with adaptive LED headlights, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, active blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear collision avoidance, park distance control with auto braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian/cyclist detection, and active pre-collision protection systems. The available Parking Assistance Package added parking assistance plus, active park distance control, and a 360-degree surround camera view. The updated Driving Assistant Professional Package included traffic jam assistance, back-up assistant, front cross-traffic alert, a 3D assisted view display, active lane-keep assist with lane centering, and side collision avoidance.