2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was characterized by its clean lines and balanced proportions, offering a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic. While some might have found its styling understated, the Tiguan's design was appreciated for its potential to age gracefully. It was notably large for its class, with a roomy interior that could accommodate up to seven passengers, though the third row was best suited for children. The interior featured modern geometric forms and a no-nonsense control layout, with digital instrumentation and a touchscreen infotainment system. However, the presence of hard plastics and flimsy steering wheel stalks detracted from its premium feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, with a design that announced wealth and taste. Its exterior was a sporty adaptation of the classic Range Rover profile, featuring a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and a distinctive grille. The Velar's design included subtle adjustments like a sloping roof and flush door handles, contributing to its streamlined appearance. Inside, the Velar's cabin was sleek, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. Despite being a base model, the interior maintained a sense of luxury, though it lacked some of the premium features found in higher trims.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided adequate performance but suffered from turbo lag, making it feel breathless during acceleration. The Tiguan's fuel economy was rated at 25 mpg combined for FWD and 24 mpg for AWD, though real-world testing showed slightly lower figures. Despite its performance shortcomings, the Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience with light steering, a compliant ride, and nimble handling, though it struggled with sharper speed bumps and corners.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a lower center of gravity and lighter weight for improved handling. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD. While the engine provided average response, the Velar's optional air suspension offered a plush ride. The Velar also featured a Terrain Response system with six driving modes, though its off-road capabilities were limited compared to larger Range Rover models. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a mild-hybrid system delivered higher performance, making the Velar more appealing to luxury buyers.

Inside the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, comfort was prioritized with large doors, tall seating, and adjustable front seats. The back seat offered excellent support and generous legroom, with air conditioning vents and USB ports for passengers. The Tiguan's cargo space varied depending on the presence of a third-row seat, ranging from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and up to 73.5 cubic feet with seats folded. However, storage space was limited, and the wireless smartphone charger was tricky to access.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's interior was tighter than midsize SUVs, with reduced headroom and limited visibility due to thick pillars. Cargo space was modest, with 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with seats folded. The Velar's design choices, such as the lack of a discrete parking brake control, were criticized for being illogical and potentially dangerous. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system improved usability with a simplified layout and faster response times, while the steering wheel lost its touch-sensitive controls for better functionality.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim, offering an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a range of connected services. While the system was an improvement, it had quirks, and the standard six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music. Higher trims included digital cockpit instrumentation and a nine-speaker Fender audio system.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was surprisingly reliable, with a simplified layout and customizable features. It included a voice assistant, air quality monitoring, and advanced navigation features. The Velar also offered a 360-degree camera system, adaptive cruise control, and a 12-speaker Meridian stereo as standard, enhancing its technological appeal.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with the IQ Drive suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims, though NHTSA ratings were incomplete.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been rated by U.S. agencies, but a European-spec model scored well in Euro NCAP tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring, with optional 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control.