2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, with its extended length, offered a sophisticated and recognizable Jeep aesthetic. Its design seamlessly integrated the additional mass and third-row seating, making the standard Grand Cherokee appear truncated. The Grand Cherokee L's exterior was marked by Jeep's signature seven-slot grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and a modernized lighting system. The vehicle's paint finish and panel fit were notably improved, and the high-end trims like the Summit and Summit Reserve featured black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome. The interior of the Grand Cherokee L was luxurious, with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, and quilted Nappa leather, providing a Mercedes-like tactile quality.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained its design from the previous year, with minor updates. The Tiguan was available in several trims, each offering different styling elements. The SEL R-Line trim, with its sporty appearance and 20-inch wheels, was particularly appealing. The Tiguan's design was conservative yet aging gracefully, with features like adaptive front lighting and a light bar across the grille. Inside, the Tiguan's cabin was upscale, featuring quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the touch-sensing controls on the steering wheel and climate system were criticized for their usability issues.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two engine options: a 3.6-liter V6 producing 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, and a 5.7-liter V8 with 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. The V6 was found lacking in power for the vehicle's size, while the V8 provided a more satisfying performance. The Grand Cherokee L also featured a 4xe plug-in hybrid option, delivering 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. The vehicle's chassis was praised for its ride composure and steering feel, with an optional air suspension providing adjustable ride heights. The Grand Cherokee L's towing capacity was up to 7,200 pounds with 4WD.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The Tiguan's powertrain was adequate for most driving situations, but lacked power for passing and quick acceleration. The Tiguan offered FWD as standard, with VW's 4Motion AWD system available. The AWD system included various driving modes for different conditions. The Tiguan's ride and handling were commendable, with a good balance of comfort and stability. However, the brake pedal required more effort than expected, and road noise was noticeable in the cabin.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured a user-friendly Uconnect 5 infotainment system with physical switches for climate and audio controls. The vehicle offered ample space in all rows, with the third row accommodating adults comfortably. The Grand Cherokee L's interior was well-appointed, with options for a panoramic roof and multiple USB ports. However, the air vents were criticized for insufficient airflow, requiring the fan to be kept on high.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan provided a spacious interior, with FWD models offering a standard third-row seat. The SEL R-Line trim featured comfortable front seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The Tiguan's dashboard had ergonomic issues, with touch-sensing controls that were difficult to use. The vehicle excelled in passenger and cargo space, with generous rear legroom and a large cargo area. The AWD models offered more cargo space due to the absence of a third-row seat.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a range of advanced features, including massage modes for the front seats, a head-up display, night vision, and a 360-degree camera system. The Uconnect system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an optional passenger touchscreen and rear-seat entertainment. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind spot monitoring.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line trim offering a larger 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system included wireless smartphone integration, a Fender premium sound system, and Car-Net connected services. However, the system's user interface was criticized for its complexity and distracting touch-sensing controls. The voice-recognition system did not perform as expected, likely due to inactive subscriptions in the test vehicle.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not been tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review. It came standard with driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, and trailer sway control, along with various driver aids.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in safety features, offering standard Front Assist and Side Assist, along with an Automatic Post Collision Braking System. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and semi-autonomous driving assist. The Tiguan's safety technology was effective and unobtrusive. However, NHTSA testing was incomplete, and the driver's door unlatched during a side-impact test. The IIHS awarded the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2022, but this did not apply to 2023.