2022 Cadillac XT5 vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among its competitors with a design that was both conservative and timeless. Its refreshed exterior featured new front styling that aligned it with Volkswagen's larger models, such as the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport. The restyled grille, adorned with the new VW logo and an optional illuminated grille bar, added a touch of modernity. Standard LED headlights, new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate, and redesigned aluminum wheels further enhanced its appeal. The Tiguan's lineup was simplified for 2022, offering trims like S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line, with prices ranging from $25,995 to $36,995. The SEL R-Line, with its sporty appearance and Atlantic Blue Metallic paint, exuded a sophisticated charm. Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line boasted a luxurious cabin with leather upholstery, advanced technology, and ambient lighting, though the lower half's hard plastic hinted at its mass-market roots.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5, on the other hand, presented a mix of Cadillac's signature design elements with a compact and tall profile. Its bold grille, distinctive daytime running lights, and vertical taillights paid homage to classic Cadillacs, but the overall look felt somewhat awkward. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims offered unique styling cues, with the former featuring bright chrome and the latter opting for darker trim and a mesh grille. Standard 18-inch alloy wheels adorned the Luxury and Premium Luxury models, while the Sport trim boasted 20-inch wheels. Inside, the XT5's interior felt luxurious, especially with the optional Platinum Package, which added semi-aniline leather upholstery and other premium touches. However, the interior design lacked a strong theme, and the seats, while comfortable, didn't quite meet luxury standards.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the power was directed to the front wheels, with an optional 4Motion AWD system available. The AWD system could transfer up to half of the power to the rear wheels when needed, enhancing fuel efficiency by decoupling the rear axle when not in use. Drivers could choose from Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings for 4Motion models. Despite its modest power, the Tiguan offered a nimble and responsive driving experience, though it lacked the excitement of more powerful engines. The EPA rated the R-Line with 4Motion at 24 mpg combined, and real-world testing yielded a similar 24.7 mpg.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: a base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.6-liter V6 producing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6, in particular, provided ample power for everyday driving, with smooth and quick shifts. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, which excelled in providing a comfortable and controlled ride. The steering was well-suited for luxury driving, offering nimbleness without being overly sensitive. The XT5's cabin remained impressively quiet, enhancing the overall luxury experience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a standout in terms of interior space, rivaling smaller midsize SUVs. It offered a standard third-row seat in FWD models, though this feature was absent in 4Motion versions. The SEL R-Line trim provided exceptional comfort with leather-wrapped, power-adjustable front seats, excellent visibility, and a panoramic sunroof. The second row was spacious enough for adults and children alike, with rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. Cargo space was generous, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 73.4 cubic feet with them folded down in 4Motion models. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard proved challenging to use.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered competitive interior space compared to German luxury crossovers, with more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. However, it fell short in rear headroom. The XT5 excelled in legroom for both rows, though it offered less front legroom than the Lincoln Corsair. The seats were comfortable but could have benefited from more padding. Cargo space was impressive, with 30 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63 cubic feet with them folded. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and the interior featured a small cubbyhole for storage, compensating for limited center console space.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with standard digital instrumentation, known as Digital Cockpit, with an 8-inch display in most trims and a 10.25-inch display in the SEL R-Line. The MIB3 infotainment system, introduced the previous year, featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, and smartphone mirroring. The SEL R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system. However, the natural voice recognition feature required a subscription and was not active during testing. Car-Net offered a complimentary Remote Access plan for five years, with additional plans available for a fee. The Tiguan also featured an available Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5's standard infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An 8-inch digital instrument cluster and head-up display were available with the Technology Package. While usability had improved, the XT5's tech offerings were still considered adequate compared to competitors. The touchscreen was easy to navigate, but secondary controls, including a rotary controller and capacitive touchpads, were not user-friendly. The standard eight-speaker Bose audio system could be upgraded to a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series system, delivering excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard Front Assist and Side Assist, with significant improvements to its IQ Drive systems. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, though engaging it could be challenging due to touch-sensing controls. Emergency Assist operated when Travel Assist was active, slowing the vehicle if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model's standard LED headlights and advanced driver aids aimed to improve that score.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and more. The Safety Alert Seat vibrated when warnings were triggered. An optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced braking features, while the Technology Package included rear pedestrian alert, a surround-vision camera, and night vision. The XT5 received top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though it had a "Marginal" headlight rating and an "Acceptable" LATCH rating.