2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was a fresh take on electrified mobility, distinct from its predecessor, the original Ioniq. It was the first model under the new Ioniq sub-brand, which focused solely on electric vehicles. The Ioniq 5's exterior design was a mix of minimalistic lines and intricate Parametric Pixel elements, giving it a concept car-like appearance. The interior, however, was a stark contrast with its "Living Space" theme, offering a serene and comfortable environment. The cabin featured sustainable materials and innovative design elements like a moveable center console and a zero-gravity relaxation mode for the driver's seat.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained a more traditional SUV aesthetic with a sporty twist, especially in the SEL R-Line trim. The Tiguan's exterior was conservatively styled, aging gracefully with its adaptive front lighting and a light bar across the grille. Inside, the Tiguan offered a spacious and upscale cabin with quality materials and a panoramic sunroof. However, the touch-sensing controls on the steering wheel and climate system were less user-friendly, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these quirks, the Tiguan provided excellent passenger and cargo space, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered a range of powertrains, with the base SE Standard Range model featuring a 128-kW rear-mounted electric motor producing 168 horsepower and a range of 220 miles. The extended-range variants, available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, had a 168-kW rear motor delivering 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, with a range of 303 miles. The AWD versions boasted a dual-motor system with a total output of 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, though the range dropped to 256 miles. The Ioniq 5's performance was solid for a midsize crossover, with a Sport mode adding some excitement. However, spirited driving quickly depleted the range, making it best suited for more leisurely drives.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The SEL R-Line trim came standard with AWD, offering various driving modes, including Onroad, Snow, and Offroad. The Tiguan's powertrain was adequate for everyday driving, though it lacked the punch for quick overtakes. The ride quality was comfortable, with a good balance of compliance and stability. However, the transmission's delayed downshifts and occasional turbo lag were noticeable drawbacks. Despite these issues, the Tiguan's dynamic qualities made it enjoyable to drive once acclimated to its quirks.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 utilized the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), providing a spacious interior with a wheelbase longer than the seven-passenger Palisade. The Ioniq 5 offered 133.7 cubic feet of total interior volume, with a passenger volume of 106.5 cu-ft, surpassing competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. The cabin featured soft-touch materials and innovative design elements, such as a moveable center console and a retro-inspired front bench seat. The leatherette seats were comfortable and supportive, catering to a range of body types.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, especially in AWD models without the third-row seat. The SEL R-Line trim featured comfortable front seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The dashboard, however, had questionable ergonomics, with touch-sensing controls that were difficult to use. Despite this, the Tiguan's rear seat offered generous legroom, headroom, and foot room, with additional amenities like air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The cargo area was spacious, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, making it one of the largest in the compact SUV class.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was packed with advanced technology, including a high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80% battery capacity in just 18 minutes. The Ioniq 5 also featured a redesigned Blue Link app, digital key, and over-the-air updates. The interior boasted 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment, finished with an anti-glare coating for clear visibility.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan came with digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line featuring a 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and a nine-speaker Fender sound system. However, the user interface was complex, with multi-layer processes for simple tasks. The voice-recognition system was also underwhelming, often failing to perform as expected.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and collision avoidance. It also offered Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. While crash-safety ratings were not available, Hyundai's track record suggested high safety standards.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in safety features, with standard Front Assist and Side Assist, including forward collision warning and blind-spot monitoring. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Emergency Assist. The Tiguan's safety technology was effective and unobtrusive, though crash-test ratings were incomplete, with some concerns about the driver's door unlatching during side-impact tests.