2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 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. This design was likely to age well. The Tiguan 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 featured shiny detailing, digital instrumentation, and a flush touchscreen infotainment system, but it had too much hard plastic to be mistaken for an Audi. The Tiguan was available in S, SE, and SEL trims, with sporty R-Line variants, and pricing ranged from $25,245 to $39,095, excluding the $1,195 destination charge. The test vehicle, an SEL trim with 4Motion AWD, was priced at $35,040.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a two-row version of the previous year's Grand Cherokee L, maintained Jeep's design traditions while reflecting influences from the 1963 Wagoneer. It featured a forward-leaning grille, lowered beltline, and tapered rear roof pillars, with a black roof option available on some versions. The Grand Cherokee was offered in Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trims, with prices ranging from $37,390 to $63,365, excluding the $1,795 destination charge.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee was nearly identical to the Grand Cherokee L, with the base Laredo trim offering good quality and the Summit Reserve trim providing luxury with premium leather, heated and ventilated seats, a McIntosh audio system, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the gloss black finish on some controls in higher trims could cause reflections, making them harder to use. The Grand Cherokee's interior was comfortable and provided good visibility, with improved sightlines and camera technologies adding driver confidence.

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 4Motion AWD available for an additional $1,400 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's nearly 4,000-pound curb weight contributed to this perception of lethargy.

The EPA estimated the Tiguan's fuel economy at 25 mpg combined with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD. During testing, the AWD model averaged 22.6 mpg. Despite the powertrain's shortcomings, the Tiguan provided a pleasurable driving experience with light but responsive steering, a compliant ride, refined braking, and nimble handling. However, the suspension's lack of isolation resulted in an unrefined character over sharp speed bumps and railroad tracks. On curvy roads, the Tiguan's tires gave up grip early, and the suspension allowed too much body motion, encouraging slower driving. On the highway, the Tiguan was quiet and composed, making long road trips more enjoyable.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered RWD or 4WD and came with either a V6 or V8 engine. The standard 3.6-liter V6 produced 293 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm, with a tow rating of 6,200 pounds. The available 5.7-liter V8 generated 357 horsepower at 5,150 rpm and 390 pound-feet of torque at 4,250 rpm, increasing the towing capacity to 7,200 pounds. Three different 4WD systems were available: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II, each offering varying levels of off-road capability.

The Grand Cherokee used an eight-speed automatic transmission with a dial-style shifter, which could be tricky to operate. The EPA estimated fuel economy ranged from 17 mpg combined with the V8 and 4WD to 21 mpg with the V6 and any drivetrain. During testing, the V8 with Quadra-Trac II averaged 17 mpg, while the V6 with Quadra-Trac I achieved 21.3 mpg. The Trailhawk trim, designed for serious off-roading, featured Quadra-Drive II, an electronic locking rear differential, Quadra-Lift air suspension, and Selec-Terrain driving modes. The Trailhawk excelled in off-road conditions but was less refined on pavement.

The V6 engine was preferred for its efficiency and good acceleration, while the V8 provided a thrilling sound but at a higher cost. The Grand Cherokee's ride quality was excellent, and it felt more nimble and athletic than the larger Grand Cherokee L. The Quadra-Lift air suspension, while adding complexity, dulled the Grand Cherokee's traditional driving character.

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 support, generous legroom, and foot space, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for passengers. The Tiguan's cargo space ranged from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, depending on whether it had the optional third-row seat, and a maximum capacity of 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided comfort for the driver and front passenger, with higher trims offering heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and front seat massagers. The base Laredo trim, with cloth upholstery, was still comfortable and of good quality. The Grand Cherokee's redesign improved visibility, especially when off-roading, and the available panoramic sunroof added an airy feel to the cabin. Rear-seat room was tight for adults with long legs, and the plastic front seatback trim was uncomfortable. The two-row Grand Cherokee offered 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 70.8 cubic feet with the back seat folded down.

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 Car-Net connected services. The infotainment system had some quirks, and the voice recognition technology was not up to par. The SEL Premium R-Line trim included a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system, while other trims had a six-speaker system.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a tech powerhouse, with a comprehensive head-up display, Night Vision system, camera-based rearview mirror, and up to five interior touchscreens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, standard on all trims, offered improved responsiveness and over-the-air updates. Most trims had an 8.4-inch touchscreen, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen available on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and voice recognition were standard. The Grand Cherokee also offered a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-inch head-up display, and an optional 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger.

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 on SE trim and higher, while lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist was included on the SEL trim. The SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights and front and rear parking sensors. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured an extensive collection of advanced driver assistance systems and a safety cage composed of aluminum and high-strength steel. The Grand Cherokee included Intersection Collision Assist, Active Driving Assist, and a hands-free version of Active Driving Assist coming in 2022. Active Driving Assist provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assistance with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. The system was effective but required driver attention on tight curves.