2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover underwent a subtle evolution rather than a radical redesign. Its front and side profiles remained largely unchanged, maintaining the broad, rounded face and expansive sheet metal of its predecessor. A notable update was the vertical accent strip under the mirrors, replacing the previous L-shaped trim. The rear saw the most significant change, with the introduction of thin LED taillights integrated into a darker trim, replacing the old square lights. The Range Rover continued to emphasize its size, especially in the long-wheelbase version, which added eight inches in length. Inside, the cabin was simplified with fewer buttons and a larger touchscreen, while maintaining a familiar design. Premium materials, including leather and wood trim, enhanced the luxurious feel, and the solid construction ensured a quiet and comfortable ride.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan carried forward the updates from the previous year with minimal changes. The most significant update was the complimentary five-year Car-Net Safe & Secure connected services plan. The Tiguan was available in several trims, with the SEL R-Line offering a sporty appearance and 20-inch wheels. Despite a variety of exterior and interior color options, choices were limited by trim level. The interior featured quality materials, including leather upholstery and artificial wood trim, with a focus on comfort and practicality. The Tiguan's design was conservative yet aging gracefully, with features like adaptive front lighting and a light bar across the grille enhancing its appeal. The cabin was upscale, with digital instrumentation, a panoramic sunroof, and robust construction contributing to a solid feel.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover offered two powertrains: the base P400 with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, and the P530 with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine delivering 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The P400 powertrain provided effortless acceleration, reaching 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, while the V8 offered even more power. The Range Rover's handling was surprisingly agile for its size, with well-managed body roll and a calm, composed driving experience. Standard rear-wheel steering improved maneuverability, and the Terrain Response system optimized off-road capability. The ride quality was smooth, with minimal wind and road noise, making it one of the most comfortable luxury SUVs available.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with 4Motion all-wheel drive available. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with an Individual mode for customized settings. The SEL R-Line trim included AWD as standard, with additional off-road settings. The Tiguan's powertrain provided adequate power for most situations, though passing slower vehicles required more effort. The ride and handling were well-balanced, with light and lively steering and excellent tire grip. The Tiguan's ride quality was compliant, with minimal road noise, though some resonance was noted on certain road surfaces. Overall, the Tiguan was enjoyable to drive once acclimated to its powertrain quirks.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover offered ample space in the first two rows, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. Front seats were cushioned for comfort, with available massage functions. Storage options included two glove boxes, a wireless charging pad, and a large center console bin. The second row provided generous space for taller passengers, with power recline and sliding adjustments. The optional third row was accessible via a button, though headroom was limited for adults. Cargo space was 17.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 43.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 93 cubic feet with the second row folded. A split tailgate and adjustable air suspension height facilitated loading.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a roomy interior, with FWD models featuring a standard third-row seat. The SEL R-Line trim had comfortable front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. Storage space was generous, though the center armrest bin was small. The dashboard featured touch-sensing controls, which were not user-friendly. 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 and handy features like levers for folding seats. With AWD, the Tiguan offered 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 73.4 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover featured a new 13-inch touchscreen with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, offering sharper graphics and quicker responses. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a wireless charging pad. The Meridian audio system provided excellent sound quality, with an optional 35-speaker upgrade. Other tech features included Amazon Alexa integration, remote automated parking, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and remote control via a smartphone app.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan came with digital instrumentation, with an 8-inch display on most trims and a 10.25-inch display on the SEL R-Line. The infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a nine-speaker Fender premium sound system. The system's user interface was complex, with multi-layer processes for simple tasks. Voice recognition was limited, and the navigation map could not be displayed on both the digital instrumentation and center screen simultaneously.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and a surround-view camera system. The Range Rover's safety features performed well, though some rivals offered additional features.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered comprehensive safety features, including Front Assist with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, and Side Assist with blind-spot monitoring. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Emergency Assist. The Tiguan's safety technology worked well, with minimal false alerts. However, NHTSA testing was incomplete, and the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating did not apply for 2023.