2021 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 INFINITI QX80

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 large for its class, nearly as spacious inside as a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento, thanks to a long-wheelbase version. This upsizing resulted in a roomy interior with plenty of space for four people, and the optional third-row seat expanded 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 the engine start button's location was unconventional. The cabin had shiny detailing, digital instrumentation, and a flush touchscreen infotainment system, but it had too much hard plastic to be mistaken for an Audi.

In contrast, the 2022 INFINITI QX80 shared a platform with the Nissan Armada, and while it was unmistakably large, it was sized just right. The QX80's front-end styling was unique, with a distinctive grille and tastefully integrated LED lighting. The cabin featured upscale materials, including wood trim and quilted semi-aniline leather seats, but the design was steadily going out of fashion. Despite this, the QX80's cabin was attractive and comfortable, though it fell below the high bar set by its premium full-size SUV competitors. The QX80's style was more about comfort and luxury than cutting-edge design.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, sent power to the front wheels by default, with 4Motion AWD as an option. The powertrain was adequate but suffered from turbocharger lag, making the engine feel breathless during passing maneuvers. The Tiguan returned 25 mpg in combined driving with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD, though real-world testing showed an average of 22.6 mpg. The Tiguan provided a pleasurable driving experience with light, responsive steering, a compliant ride, and refined braking action. However, it struggled with sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks, and its tires gave up grip early in corners. On the highway, the Tiguan was quiet and composed, making long road trips enjoyable.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 boasted a 400-horsepower, 5.6-liter V8 engine with 413 lb-ft of torque. This engine delivered robust performance and a great exhaust note, though it was thirsty and required premium fuel. The seven-speed automatic transmission provided seamless and smooth shifts, distributing the QX80's ample power effectively. The QX80 offered more off-road capability than most owners would need, with 4WD available on all trim levels. It had a generous towing capacity of 8,500 pounds and managed to control body lean well during cornering. The available Hydraulic Body Motion Control system kept the vehicle stable, though it reminded drivers of its nearly three-ton weight when taking turns too quickly.

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 generous legroom and foot space, and passengers enjoyed air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The Tiguan had a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat, allowing for flexible cargo and passenger arrangements. Cargo volume ranged from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, with a maximum capacity of 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet, depending on the presence of the third-row seat.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 required climbing into due to its tall ride height, but once inside, it offered a spacious and airy cabin. Front-seat head- and legroom were good, though not as accommodating as some competitors. The QX80 could hold up to eight passengers with the optional second-row bench seat, but the third row was cramped for adults. Cargo space was limited compared to others in its class, with 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. The power-operated liftgate and third-row seats were slow to operate, but the illuminated kick plates and welcome lighting added a premium touch.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the next-generation Modular Infotainment Toolkit (MIB3) starting with the SE trim. MIB3 included an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi for up to four devices, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and a range of Car-Net connected services. The system had some quirks, and the voice recognition technology was lacking. The SEL Premium R-Line trim included a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system, while other trims had a six-speaker system. The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line also featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 had a new 12.3-inch Infiniti InTouch display with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The display included navigation with lane guidance, voice recognition, and Infiniti InTouch connected services. A Bose 13-speaker premium sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Performance Series Bose system on the Sensory trim. The QX80 also had multiple USB ports, illuminated steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, and a wireless smartphone charger. The dual-screen rear entertainment system was included, though the necessary HDMI adapters were missing. The QX80 lacked Infiniti's ProPilot Assist advanced driving-assistance system due to its older vehicle systems architecture.

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 was standard 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 were sensitive, and the reversing camera provided a clear view. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 came with a range of standard safety features, including forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with lane-departure prevention, forward-collision warning, backup collision intervention, a smart rearview mirror, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features included driver attention alert, front knee airbags, and seat belt pre-tensioners for second-row outboard passengers. The NHTSA gave the 2022 QX80 three out of five stars for rollover resistance, and the structurally similar 2021 QX80 received four stars for overall crash protection. The IIHS had not rated the QX80 for safety.