2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Lexus GX

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among its competitors with a design that was both creased and symmetrical, leaning towards a conservative aesthetic. This approach, while not eliciting strong emotions, aged gracefully and appealed to fans of simplicity and minimalism. For 2022, the Tiguan received new front styling to align with Volkswagen’s larger models, featuring a restyled grille with the new VW logo and an available illuminated grille bar. Standard LED headlights, new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate, and redesigned aluminum wheels added to its refreshed look.

Volkswagen simplified the Tiguan lineup, offering it in S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims with either FWD or AWD. Prices ranged from $25,995 to $36,995, with a destination charge of $1,195. The SEL R-Line test vehicle, priced at $37,970 MSRP, featured a sportier look with machined-surface 18-inch alloy wheels and Atlantic Blue Metallic paint. Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line boasted a richer cabin with leather upholstery, new technology, touch-sensing controls, and ambient lighting. However, the hard plastic in the lower half of the cabin revealed its mass-market status.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition, evaluated in Black Onyx, eradicated almost all chrome from its exterior, transforming the SUV into a rolling black hole. Despite its new Black Line treatment, the GX quickly accumulated dust, making it look drab and old. The GX’s design, reminiscent of its first-generation model from 2002, appeared dated, though the latest examples had a slightly more modern interior.

The GX’s cabin quality was impeccable, with smooth, silky refinement and a quiet atmosphere, save for the faint roar of the standard V8 engine. Available in Standard, Premium, and Luxury trims, the GX’s prices ranged from $56,700 to $66,210, with the Black Line Special Edition starting at $60,535. Despite its age, the GX’s interior featured comfortable seats, physical controls, and a tall seating position, though the third-row seat was cramped and difficult to access.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,900 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the front wheels, with an optional 4Motion AWD system. The AWD system could send up to half of the power to the rear wheels, decoupling the rear axle when not needed to save fuel. Drivers could choose between Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings for AWD models.

The Tiguan’s Hill Descent Control system operated at speeds up to 19 mph in Offroad mode, but its 7.6 inches of ground clearance limited its off-road capabilities. The SUV featured MacPherson struts in front, a multi-link independent rear suspension, and variable assist steering. Despite some turbo lag, the Tiguan was enjoyable to drive, though it could benefit from more power. The EPA estimated the R-Line with 4Motion at 24 mpg in combined driving, with a test drive averaging 24.7 mpg. The Tiguan felt nimble and responsive in normal driving but lacked excitement when pushed to its limits.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with a base curb weight of 5,126 pounds, featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. This powertrain, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system, provided a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds. The 4WD system sent 40 percent of the power to the front wheels and 60 percent to the rear in normal driving conditions.

The GX’s drag coefficient of 0.35, combined with its V8 engine and 4WD system, resulted in an EPA fuel economy estimate of 16 mpg in combined driving. The test drive, including off-roading, returned 16.8 mpg. The GX’s Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) improved stability and ride quality, making it more agreeable to drive. However, the slow, heavy steering and touchy brake pedal detracted from the overall driving experience. The Off-Road Package, available with the Luxury trim, added features like Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and skid plates for enhanced off-road capability.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, a giant among compact crossover SUVs, offered a spacious interior comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. FWD models featured a standard third-row seat, while 4Motion models did not. The SEL R-Line test vehicle provided exceptional comfort with leather-wrapped, eight-way power-adjustable front seats, heating, and ventilation. The second row was roomy and comfortable for adults, with rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and ample storage.

The Tiguan’s switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard for 2022 added sophistication but proved harder to use. Cargo space was among the best in its class, with FWD models offering 12 cubic feet behind the third row, 33 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with the second row folded. The 4Motion model provided 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 73.4 cubic feet with the second row folded, rivaling midsize SUVs.

The Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position with a 10-way power-adjustable seat and clear outward visibility. Its tall, narrow, and short design made it easy to maneuver in various situations, though the slow steering required extra effort. The test vehicle’s seats were comfortable, with padding in all the right places. The Black Line Special Edition featured NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner, with heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats.

The GX’s third-row seat was cramped and difficult to access, with limited rear crush space in case of a rear-end collision. The side-swinging tailgate made loading cargo challenging, especially in tight spaces. Lexus claimed 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second row folded, less than a Toyota RAV4.

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 in all but the base Tiguan S, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, App-Connect smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The SEL R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system.

Natural voice recognition required a Plus Speech upgrade and an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription, which was not available for testing. Car-Net’s Remote Access plan was complimentary for five years, offering remote engine start, door lock operation, and vehicle location tracking. The Safe & Secure plan included automatic crash notification and emergency assistance, while the Hotspot plan provided a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Tiguan also offered an available Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. The GX also included a CD player, a Lexus app, and Lexus Enform connected services with a WiFi hotspot. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround-sound audio system was available but not included in the test vehicle.

The infotainment display offered a dual-screen view, and the voice recognition technology was quick and accurate. The GX’s stereo controls were located below the off-roading controls, making them harder to use. For 2022, Lexus made its Intuitive Parking Assist technology standard, with optional surround-view and terrain-view cameras.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard Front Assist (forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection) and Side Assist (blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert). The Tiguan’s IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems included Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist, which slowed the SUV and brought it to a stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model’s improvements could enhance this rating.

The Lexus GX, with its dated structure, lacked crash-test ratings. However, it featured Lexus Safety System+, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The GX also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services with automatic collision notification and emergency calling. Missing safety technologies included lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and other modern driving aids.