2022 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured clean lines and balanced proportions, which some might have found boring, but it had a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic that aged well. It was large for its class, nearly as big inside as a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento, offering a roomy and accommodating interior with plenty of space for four people, and the option to carry five or even seven with a small third-row seat.

Inside, the Tiguan combined modern geometric forms with a no-nonsense control layout, though the engine start button's location on the center console was unusual. The cabin had somber tones and textures, shiny detailing, digital instrumentation, and a flush touchscreen infotainment system. However, it had too much hard plastic and flimsy steering wheel stalks to be mistaken for an Audi. The Tiguan was available in S, SE, and SEL trims, with sporty R-Line variants, priced between $25,245 and $39,095, excluding the $1,195 destination charge.

The 2022 Ford Expedition underwent several changes, including exterior styling revisions and updated infotainment tech. It featured a new grille, headlights, bumper, revised taillights, tailgate trim, and redesigned wheels. The Expedition came in XL STX, XLT, Limited, King Ranch, and Platinum trims, with prices ranging from just over $55,000 to just under $84,000, including the destination charge. A new Timberline trim was available for off-road enthusiasts, adding 4WD, all-terrain tires, suspension modifications, more ground clearance, and off-roading tech for around $72,500.

Inside, the Expedition had a redesigned dashboard housing the new Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems, with the latter featuring a 15.5-inch touchscreen display. The SUV offered an available 12.4-inch digital instrumentation display, and our test vehicle, a Limited Stealth Edition, had leather seats, soft padding, and impressive tech. The MSRP for our test model was $80,155, including options like 4WD, extra-cost paint, the Stealth Package, a Heavy Duty Trailer Tow Package, an electronic limited-slip rear differential, and the larger Sync 4A infotainment touchscreen.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 horsepower at 4,360 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels by default, with the 4Motion AWD system available as a $1,400 option on most models and standard on the SEL Premium R-Line. The powertrain was adequate but suffered from turbocharger lag, making the engine feel breathless during passing or freeway merging.

The Tiguan returned 25 mpg in combined driving with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD, according to the EPA. During testing, the AWD model averaged 22.6 mpg. The Tiguan provided a pleasurable driving experience with light but responsive steering, a compliant ride, refined braking action, and nimble handling. However, it struggled with sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks, and its tires gave up grip early in corners. The Tiguan was quiet and composed on the highway, making long road trips enjoyable.

The 2022 Ford Expedition used a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, producing 380 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm (400 hp and 480 lb-ft on 93-octane fuel). The engine drove the rear wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission, with 4WD as an option. Fuel economy ranged from 17 to 19 mpg in combined driving, and the Expedition could tow between 9,000 and 9,300 pounds, depending on the model and equipment.

The twin-turbo V6's power was addictive, and Ford tuned the engine and exhaust to deliver a pleasing sound. However, the Expedition's fuel economy suffered, with an observed 16.2 mpg on the evaluation loop. The Expedition's sport-tuned suspension in the Stealth Edition contributed to a harsh ride quality, but the SUV was easy to park thanks to excellent visibility, parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera system. The Expedition shined on the highway, providing a quiet and comfortable ride for long trips.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors, tall seating hip points, and a wide range of front seat adjustments. The V-Tex leatherette upholstery and dual-zone climate control system added to the comfort. The back seat offered excellent occupant support, generous legroom, and foot space, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The Tiguan had a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat and a usefully shaped cargo space, with cargo volume ranging from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and a maximum capacity of 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet.

The 2022 Ford Expedition excelled in comfort, with power running boards for easy entry and exit. The test vehicle had power-adjustable, leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a wide console with ample storage. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, with climate controls and overhead air vents. The third-row seat offered outstanding leg support but limited headroom for taller passengers. Cargo room behind the third row measured 19.3 cubic feet, with a maximum capacity of 104.6 cubic feet (121.5 in the Expedition Max).

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim, with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi, SiriusXM 360L, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and Car-Net connected services. The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims had Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation. However, the voice recognition technology and standard six-speaker sound system had some quirks, and the Fender premium audio system was only available on the SEL Premium R-Line.

The 2022 Ford Expedition had the Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems, with the latter featuring a 15.5-inch touchscreen. Both systems included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect, natural voice recognition, and a connected navigation system. Higher trims added features like SiriusXM, HD Radio, wireless smartphone charging, and Bang & Olufsen premium sound systems. The Expedition also offered Pro Trailer Backup Assist 2.0 and an upgraded rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came 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. Adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights were available on higher trims. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.

The 2022 Ford Expedition featured Ford Co-Pilot360 safety systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, a driver monitoring system, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, speed-limit-sign recognition, intersection assist, evasive steering assist, and a surround-view camera system. The Expedition also offered BlueCruise hands-free driving technology on approved highways.