2021 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Lexus RX

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 design was likely to age well. The Tiguan was notably large for its class, nearly matching the interior space of a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento. This upsizing resulted in a roomy interior, accommodating up to seven passengers with an optional third-row seat, 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 Lexus RX boasted a modern and sporty design, with aggressive styling that stood out among its midsize luxury crossover competitors. The RX featured distinctively sharp character lines and angular features, creating an eye-catching design language. The F Sport trim added performance-oriented styling elements, including 20-inch wheels and unique front fascia. Inside, the RX offered a luxurious cabin with nearly a dozen color combinations, though the F Sport trim emphasized sportiness with specific badging and trim. Despite its high-quality materials, the center stack felt dated, and the seats lacked comfort, particularly in the F Sport model. The RX excelled in driving comfort and cabin quietness, making it a pleasant companion for long drives.

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 was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive as standard and 4Motion AWD as an option. While the powertrain was adequate, it suffered from turbocharger lag, leading to a delayed response in certain driving situations. The Tiguan's nearly 4,000-pound curb weight contributed to a perception of lethargy during acceleration. Fuel economy was rated 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 these drawbacks, the Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience with light steering, a compliant ride, and nimble handling, though it struggled with suspension isolation over rough surfaces.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with electric motors for a total of 308 hp. All RX models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard on the RX 350 and AWD available. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's performance was underwhelming, with a lackluster engine note and hesitant acceleration. The F Sport trim included performance dampers and an adaptive variable suspension, but the driving modes offered minimal changes in handling. The RX excelled in comfort and quietness, absorbing road imperfections and providing a serene cabin environment. Fuel economy for the RX 350 was rated at 23 mpg combined, while the RX 450h achieved 30 mpg combined.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors and tall seating positions, making entry and exit easy. The front seats offered a wide range of adjustments, and the V-Tex leatherette upholstery provided a convincing imitation of real leather. 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 the seats folded. However, storage space was limited, and the wireless smartphone charger was difficult to access.

The 2022 Lexus RX offered 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in its two-row configuration, comfortably seating four adults. The three-row L models had limited space for anything beyond groceries. Cargo space in the standard RX was 16.0 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 32.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The L models offered 7.45 cubic feet with all seats upright and up to 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows down. The rear seats did not fold completely flat, and the high load-in height made accessing the cargo area challenging. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a smartphone slot and adjustable-height cup holder.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system, available from the SE trim. It featured an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing, and expanded features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi, and SiriusXM 360L. The system had some quirks, including subpar voice recognition and a standard six-speaker sound system that struggled with bass-heavy music. The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims included Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation, offering an understated approach to technology.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch version available. Despite being moved closer to the driver, the screen's positioning was ergonomically unfriendly, with a lip obstructing access to icons. The touchscreen was responsive, but the alternatives—voice commands and a touchpad—were frustrating to use. The RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, and premium audio systems. The Lexus App provided additional connectivity options.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with the IQ Drive suite 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 available from the SE trim, with lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist on the SEL. The SEL Premium R-Line added automatic high-beam headlights and parking sensors. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.

The 2022 Lexus RX featured the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, and a pre-collision system. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional triple-beam LED headlights but missed the "plus" designation due to headlight ratings. The NHTSA awarded the RX four stars overall.