2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Chevrolet Blazer

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer was available in 2LT, 3LT, Premier, and RS trim levels. Most trims came with a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine and offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options. The RS trim stood out with a V6 engine and a sophisticated twin-clutch AWD system designed for better performance on low-traction surfaces. For 2022, the Blazer saw minor updates, including revised bumper and bodyside trim for the Premier version, new standard wheels, and the introduction of an Enhanced Convenience Package and a Trailering Package for models with the turbocharged engine. Two-tone paint options were also added for the LT and RS trims. Pricing ranged from $33,400 to $41,100, excluding a $1,195 destination charge. Our test vehicle, a Blazer RS with optional AWD and several packages, totaled $49,000.

The Blazer's design drew inspiration from the Camaro, both inside and out. The 20-inch wheels added to its visual appeal, although the black trim on the rear bumper gave it an unfinished look. Inside, the Camaro influence was evident in the infotainment and climate control systems, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with simple physical controls and innovative temperature adjustment rings on the air vents. However, the interior had plenty of hard plastic, which felt out of place in a nearly $50,000 vehicle. The RS trim's red interior accents matched the exterior paint, adding a touch of sophistication.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan continued mostly unchanged from its 2022 version, with the most significant update being a complimentary five-year Car-Net Safe & Secure connected services plan. The Tiguan was offered in S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims, with prices ranging from $26,950 to $37,680, plus a $1,295 destination charge. Our test vehicle, an SEL R-Line, had an MSRP of $38,975. Despite the variety of exterior colors, interior colors, wheel designs, and upholstery options, choices were restricted based on the trim level, making it challenging to find the perfect combination.

Our test vehicle came in Atlantic Blue with Storm Gray leather interior, but other desirable combinations were not available. The SEL R-Line trim featured sporty styling and 20-inch machined-finish wheels, giving it a more expensive look. The design was conservatively drawn but aging gracefully. The top-spec model included adaptive front lighting and a light bar across the grille, enhancing its nighttime appearance. Inside, the Tiguan's cabin was upscale, with quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, soft-touch materials, digital instrumentation, a panoramic sunroof, and robust construction.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came with a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered FWD or AWD and featured driving modes like Tour, Sport, Slippery, and Tow/Haul. The Blazer RS had a 3.6-liter V6 engine generating 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, also paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine was optional for the 3LT and Premier trims but came with a dual-clutch AWD system in the RS trim. The V6 could tow up to 4,500 pounds, 1,000 pounds more than the base engine.

In city and highway driving, the Blazer RS felt firm and sporty, with decent grip from its 20-inch wheels. The V6 engine provided satisfying acceleration but was often loud and unrefined. The steering was good in most modes, but Sport mode added unnecessary weight. The brakes were capable, but the SUV's suspension struggled on back roads, and the nine-speed automatic was slow to downshift. The steering in Sport mode felt artificially heavy, and the SUV's handling didn't match its sporty styling. The Blazer RS averaged 20.5 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA's 21 mpg estimate.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. FWD was standard, with VW's 4Motion AWD system available. Drivers could choose between Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with an Individual mode for custom settings. The SEL R-Line trim included AWD as standard, with additional settings like Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad.

The Tiguan SEL R-Line was expected to average 24 mpg in combined driving, but our test vehicle achieved 22.6 mpg. The turbo-four engine provided adequate power but struggled at higher speeds and during passing maneuvers. The automatic transmission often delayed downshifts, and turbo lag was noticeable from a stop. Despite these quirks, the Tiguan's dynamic qualities were rewarding, with light and lively steering, excellent tire grip, and stable handling. The ride quality was compliant without excessive body motions, and road noise helped communicate road texture. The Tiguan's thin windshield pillars provided excellent visibility, and the SEL R-Line's surround-view camera and parking sensors made it easy to park.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer offered reasonable comfort and utility. Our RS test vehicle featured black leather upholstery with red perforations, adding a sporty touch. The steering wheel was comfortable to grip, with power tilt and telescopic adjustment and heating. The front seats had power adjustment, heating, and ventilation but lacked thigh support. Dual-zone automatic climate control was available, with effective air conditioning and rear air vents. The back seat was spacious and could slide forward and back to adjust cargo or passenger space.

Storage space was impressive, with a large glove compartment, a bin under the center armrest, and door panel shelves and bins. Rear passengers had seatback pockets, small trays, bottle holders, and a center armrest with cupholders. Most Blazers had a power rear liftgate, with hands-free operation available on the RS and Premier trims. The cargo area offered 30.5 cubic feet of space, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which was small for a midsize SUV.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was a roomy and affordable SUV, with FWD models offering a standard third-row seat. However, the third row reduced cargo space, so AWD models were recommended for their larger cargo areas. Our SEL R-Line test vehicle had comfortable front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, and a heated steering wheel. Storage space was generous, except for the small bin under the center armrest.

The dashboard had questionable ergonomics, with touch-sensing controls that were difficult to use. The Climatronic Touch climate control panel was placed too low, making it hard to see while driving. The touch-sensing steering-wheel controls were also problematic, with reflections obscuring their markings. The Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with large rear door openings and a spacious back seat. The cargo area was cavernous, with an adjustable load floor, deep storage wells, and handy levers for folding the seats. AWD models offered 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, comparable to some midsize SUVs.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer's infotainment system was user-friendly, with an 8-inch touchscreen display, high-resolution graphics, and simple physical controls. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with an upgraded system offering satellite radio and connected navigation. Connected services included an OnStar Safety and Security plan and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, though trial periods were short. The system was easy to use, with separate stereo volume and tuning functions and climate controls. Enhanced voice recognition and connected navigation were impressive, and our test vehicle had wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Bose audio system. Safety features included rear parking sensors, a high-resolution reversing camera, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured digital instrumentation, with an 8-inch display on most trims and a 10.25-inch display on the SEL R-Line. The larger display looked impressive, especially with the full-panel navigation map. The infotainment system had a 6.5-inch touchscreen on the base S trim, while other trims had an 8-inch touchscreen with touch-sensitive buttons and physical control knobs. Our test vehicle had wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, Car-Net connected services, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a nine-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the system's user interface was complex, with multi-layer processes for simple tasks. The voice-recognition system was unreliable, often failing to connect. The touch-sensing controls were distracting and difficult to use, making the system less user-friendly.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. It also had a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. Available safety upgrades included a vibrating Safety Alert Seat, adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and LED headlights. Our test vehicle had all available driving aids, which worked well even in heavy traffic. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance were effective and smooth, making the safety features easy to use.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in safety features, offering tech often found in luxury models. Standard features included Front Assist with forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking, and Side Assist with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Automatic Post Collision Braking System helped avoid secondary impacts. The IQ.Drive package, standard on most trims, added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, active blind-spot monitoring, Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. Additional features included Light Assist, Park Assist, parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking, and an Area View surround-view camera system. The safety technology worked well, with minimal false alerts and smooth performance. However, the Tiguan's crash-test ratings were incomplete, with concerns about the driver's door unlatching during a side-impact test. The IIHS gave the 2023 Tiguan a Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2022, but this did not apply for 2023.