2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson rode on a brand-new platform and was presented in the U.S. in its long-wheelbase form, featuring two rows of seating with an expanded cargo area. Up front, it showcased the new face of Hyundai, with a parametric grille that concealed the standard LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals. When illuminated, the lights formed a unique shape resembling the wings of the Aztec Spirit Bird. The side profile mimicked the Hyundai Elantra's design, featuring a silver D-pillar that visually connected the window surrounds to the SUV’s rear, creating a floating roof. The rear showcased toothy taillights lit by LEDs, except in the base model, giving it a distinctive look among compact SUVs. Depending on the trim, the Tucson rode on 17- or 19-inch wheels, with four different designs including a complex dark variant on the N-Line trim. Higher trims boasted premium fascias, front and rear skid plates, gloss black pillars, and a panoramic sunroof.

The cabin of the Tucson was well-appointed with standard stain- and odor-resistant cloth seats, and higher trims featured sport combination or leather-trimmed seats. The dashboard emphasized horizontal lines and an uncluttered aesthetic, creating a spacious feel.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan received minimal updates from its 2022 model. It came in S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims, with prices ranging from $26,950 to $37,680, and a destination charge of $1,295 added. Our test vehicle, the SEL R-Line, featured Atlantic Blue paint and Storm Gray leather interior. The Tiguan offered seven exterior and four interior colors, but the choices depended heavily on the trim level. The SEL R-Line’s sporty appearance was enhanced by sizable 20-inch machined-finish wheels and adaptive front lighting, with a fancy light bar across the grille.

Inside, the Tiguan’s cabin was upscale with quality leather upholstery, appealing artificial wood trim, soft-touch materials, impressive digital instrumentation, and a panoramic sunroof. Some materials hinted at its base price, but the overall construction felt solid and robust.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came with two powertrain variants: a 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine. The ICE engine delivered 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It targeted 28 mpg combined, an improvement over the previous generation. The hybrid engine, offering 226 combined horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, made the Tucson more enjoyable to drive, especially during a 7,000-foot elevation change test. The hybrid powertrain outperformed the Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

AWD was optional on ICE models and standard on the hybrid. The Tucson performed well in off-road conditions, with AWD behaving comparably to Subaru's efficient system. Front-wheel-drive models achieved an EPA-estimated 26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined. All-wheel-drive models saw a slight reduction to 24 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. The Tucson Hybrid boasted 37 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 37 mpg combined. The plug-in hybrid variant, yet to be road tested, promised 261 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque, potentially offering around 25 miles of all-electric range.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. FWD was standard, with VW’s 4Motion AWD system available. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes. The SEL R-Line included AWD as standard, with additional Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings for various terrains.

The Tiguan’s power output was sufficient but not exhilarating, with noticeable turbo lag and delayed downshifts. The AWD system efficiently powered the vehicle, and the ride quality was balanced between road feedback and comfort. However, it consumed more fuel, averaging 22.6 mpg in combined driving, compared to the EPA's 24 mpg estimate.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson was a budget-friendly compact SUV but boasted a well-designed interior. Standard features included a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, with higher trims offering an eight-way version with lumbar support, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power-adjustable passenger seat. The tilt and telescoping steering wheel were standard, with heated options on higher trims.

The Tucson provided ample passenger and cargo space, with more passenger volume than the CR-V, RAV4, and Escape. It offered a 74.8 cubic-foot cargo area, comparable to the Forester, RAV4, and CR-V, and superior to the Escape. The rear seats featured a 60-40 split-folding bench, dual-level cargo floor, and remote release from the cargo area. Higher trims included a hands-free liftgate.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was also roomy, especially with AWD models, which excluded the third-row seat. The front seats were comfortable with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The dashboard, however, had problematic touch-sensing controls that were reflective and hard to use while driving.

Passenger space in the Tiguan was generous, with large rear door openings and ample legroom, headroom, and foot room. The cargo area was versatile, with an adjustable load floor, deep storage wells, and handy seat-folding levers. The AWD model provided 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 73.4 cubic feet behind the front seats, similar to midsize SUVs. The FWD model offered less cargo room, especially with the third row in place.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson featured an array of standard tech, including an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, six-speaker audio system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and two USB ports. Higher trims added satellite radio, Blue Link app, additional USB outlets, rear air vents, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a fully digital instrument cluster. The available 10.25-inch touchscreen came with trade-offs, requiring a wired connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The complex touchpoints on the center console were a challenge while driving, making steering wheel controls and voice commands more essential.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan came with digital instrumentation, an 8-inch display for most trims, and a 10.25-inch display for the SEL R-Line. The larger display impressed with its full-panel navigation map. The center touchscreen, 6.5 inches in the base trim and 8 inches in others, provided access to infotainment with sub-menus that complicated simple tasks. Our test vehicle had wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, smartphone charging, Car-Net services, SiriusXM, and a nine-speaker Fender sound system. However, the touch-sensitive controls often required multi-step processes, making them less user-friendly than traditional knobs and buttons.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been rated by IIHS or NHTSA. Standard Hyundai SmartSense features included forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, driver attention monitor, rear occupant alert, speed limit assist, and leading vehicle departure alert. Optional features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, surround-view camera, and more. Hyundai provided a comprehensive warranty, with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty, along with complimentary maintenance.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered advanced safety tech often found in luxury vehicles. Standard features included Front Assist with forward collision warning and Side Assist with blind-spot monitoring. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. Additional features included automatic high beams, parking sensors, Park Assist, and an Area View camera. The safety tech was reliable and non-intrusive. However, the NHTSA’s incomplete testing and the side-impact door latch issue raised concerns. IIHS awarded the Tiguan a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ but had not updated its rating for 2023.