2022 Hyundai Palisade 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 was likely to age well. It was notably large for its class, nearly matching the interior space of a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento, thanks to its long-wheelbase version. This upsizing resulted in a roomy interior, accommodating up to seven passengers with an optional third-row seat, though it was best suited for children. The interior combined modern geometric forms with a no-nonsense control layout, though it had some oddities like the engine start button's placement. The cabin, while dressed up with shiny detailing and a flush touchscreen display, had too much hard plastic to be mistaken for an Audi.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade, introduced as Hyundai's SUV flagship, replaced the Santa Fe XL and stood out with its elegant and striking exterior design. It featured distinctive lines, a prominent grille, and a mix of planes and curves that added visual interest. The continuous strip of glass surfaces around the tailgate gave the impression of a floating rear roof. Inside, the Palisade was similarly elegant, with high-quality materials and finishes. The second row offered either a bench or captain's chairs, and the third row was spacious enough for adults on short rides. Fit and finish were near-luxury levels, making the Palisade a worthy flagship.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower at 4,360 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm. This engine, paired with 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 turbo lag, making it feel breathless during passing maneuvers. The Tiguan's nearly 4,000-pound curb weight contributed to this perception. 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 shortcomings, the Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience with light, responsive steering, a compliant ride, and nimble handling. However, it struggled over sharp speed bumps and railroad tracks, and its tires lacked grip in corners.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade featured a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, with gasoline direct injection and dual variable valve timing, offered a baritone rumble and no turbo lag. The Palisade's EPA estimates were 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway/22 mpg combined for FWD models and 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway/21 mpg combined for AWD models. Weighing between 4,127 and 4,387 pounds, the Palisade handled nicely with its four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes. The Palisade's performance was more than adequate for family use, offering a smooth and powerful driving experience.

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 added to the comfort. The back seat provided excellent support, generous legroom, and air conditioning vents. The Tiguan's cargo space ranged from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, depending on the presence of the third-row seat, and expanded to a maximum of 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. Storage space was somewhat limited, but the panoramic sunroof and fabric-lined door panel bins were notable features.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade excelled as a minivan replacement with comfortable seating throughout the cabin. The third row offered easy access and cupholders, while the second-row captain's chairs were exceptionally comfortable. The front row had ample storage, including two compartments in the center console and door panel bottle holders. Luggage space measured 18.0 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 86.4 cubic feet with both rows folded flat. An underfloor storage compartment added extra space. The Palisade's shift-by-wire gear selector and intuitive mode selector for the AWD system were well-designed, and the dual-panel sunroof improved the ambiance in the rear rows.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi, SiriusXM 360L, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The system had some quirks, and the voice recognition technology was lacking. The six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music, while the SEL Premium R-Line's nine-speaker Fender audio system was a better option. The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation, offering an understated approach to technology.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's technological prowess with a standard display audio system on S and SEL models and a 1920 x 720 color touchscreen with Harman Kardon premium audio on Limited and Calligraphy models. The infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, satellite radio, and multiple USB ports. The Limited and Calligraphy models added a head-up display, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a surround-view monitor. Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system offered remote engine start and vehicle monitoring. The Palisade's technology was user-friendly and well-integrated, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with IQ Drive, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control was available starting with the SE trim, and the SEL added lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist. 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 parking sensors and reversing camera provided additional safety, and the Car-Net connected services offered features like automatic collision notification and Family Guardian alerts. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS for the SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade boasted a comprehensive list of standard and available safety features. Passive safety included seven airbags, three-point seat belts, LATCH anchors, active head restraints, and more. Standard active safety features encompassed anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance, forward collision-avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Palisade also offered optional features like forward-looking parking sensors and Highway Driving Assist. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA for both FWD and AWD models.