2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 INFINITI QX80

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a refined and conservative design that stood out among its competitors. Its updated front styling aligned it with Volkswagen's larger models, featuring a restyled grille with the new VW logo and standard LED headlights. The Tiguan's exterior was further enhanced by redesigned aluminum wheels and new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate. The SUV was available in several trims, including the sporty R-Line models, with the SE R-Line Black offering a trendy blacked-out appearance. Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line boasted a sophisticated cabin with perforated leather upholstery, new technology, and ambient lighting, although the lower half of the cabin revealed its mass-market status with hard plastic materials.

In contrast, the 2022 INFINITI QX80 shared its platform with the Nissan Armada, yet distinguished itself with a unique front-end design featuring the Infiniti grille. The QX80's exterior was tastefully adorned with LED lighting and chrome accents, complemented by stylish 22-inch dark chrome alloy wheels. Inside, the QX80's cabin was furnished with upscale materials, including quilted semi-aniline leather seats and wood trim. However, despite its luxurious appearance, the QX80's interior design was beginning to show its age compared to its premium full-size SUV competitors. The cabin remained comfortable and attractive, but it struggled to meet the high expectations set by its price point.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering front-wheel drive as standard, with the option for 4Motion all-wheel drive. The Tiguan provided various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, with additional settings for 4Motion models. Despite its enjoyable driving experience, the Tiguan's engine exhibited some turbo lag, and its fuel economy was modest, achieving up to 24 mpg in combined driving.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80, on the other hand, was powered by a robust 400-horsepower, 5.6-liter V8 engine with 413 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, delivering smooth and linear power. The QX80 offered both two-wheel and four-wheel drive options, with a computer-controlled transfer case for 4WD models. Its off-road capabilities were notable, thanks to its 9.2 inches of ground clearance. The QX80 also boasted a generous towing capacity of 8,500 pounds. Despite its size, the QX80 managed to control body lean effectively, aided by the Hydraulic Body Motion Control system.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a spacious compact crossover, offering a standard third-row seat in front-wheel-drive models. The SEL R-Line trim provided exceptional comfort with leather-wrapped, power-adjustable front seats and excellent outward visibility. The second row was roomy enough for adults, and the cargo space was impressive, with up to 73.4 cubic feet available in 4Motion models. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard proved challenging to use.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 required a climb to enter due to its tall ride height, but once inside, it offered a spacious and airy cabin. The QX80 could accommodate up to eight passengers with the optional second-row bench seat, though the third row was cramped for adults. Cargo space was decent, with 95.1 cubic feet available with all seats folded. The power-operated liftgate and third-row seats were convenient but slow to operate.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line offering a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available on most trims, included an 8-inch touchscreen, smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM radio. However, the natural voice recognition feature required additional subscriptions. The Tiguan also offered a Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 came with a new 12.3-inch Infiniti InTouch display, providing access to Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation. A Bose 13-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker system available on higher trims. The QX80 also included a wireless smartphone charger and a dual-screen rear entertainment system. However, it lacked Infiniti's ProPilot Assist advanced driving-assistance system.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with standard safety features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The IQ Drive system included Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, enhancing the SUV's safety capabilities. The 2021 Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model's improvements aimed to maintain or improve this score.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features included driver attention alert and front knee airbags. The QX80's crashworthiness was not fully rated by the NHTSA, but the 2021 model received four stars for overall crash protection.