2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet appealing design, distinguishing itself from its often less attractive competitors. Its refreshed exterior featured a new front styling that aligned with Volkswagen's larger models, such as the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport. The updated grille, standard LED headlights, and redesigned aluminum wheels contributed to its modern look. The Tiguan's interior was equally impressive, with a rich cabin featuring perforated leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and metallic accents, although the lower half's hard plastic hinted at its mass-market status. The SUV offered a simplified lineup with various trims and both FWD and AWD options, maintaining its stylish appeal while adding new features like keyless entry and heated front seats.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus RX continued to showcase its modern and sporty design, with sharp character lines and angular features that stopped just short of excessiveness. The RX's aggressive styling set it apart from competitors in the midsize luxury crossover segment. The F Sport trim, in particular, emphasized performance with 20-inch wheels, unique front fascia, and sportier design elements. Inside, the RX maintained its luxury appeal, with nearly a dozen color combinations and high-quality materials. However, the center stack felt dated, and the F Sport's seats were less comfortable than expected. Despite these drawbacks, the RX offered a high-fashion exterior and a serene cabin, making it a compelling choice for those prioritizing style and comfort.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with power directed to the front wheels or optionally to all four via VW's 4Motion AWD system. The Tiguan offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, with additional settings for AWD models. Despite its enjoyable driving experience, the Tiguan's engine exhibited some turbo lag, and its fuel economy was modest, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg combined for the R-Line with 4Motion. The Tiguan's ride and handling were satisfactory for everyday driving, but it lacked the excitement some Volkswagen enthusiasts might seek.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with electric motors for a total output of 308 hp. Both powertrains were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard on the RX 350 and AWD available. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's performance was underwhelming, with a lackluster engine note and sluggish acceleration. The F Sport trim added performance dampers and an adaptive variable suspension, but the driving modes offered minimal differentiation in handling. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, making it a pleasant companion for long drives. Fuel efficiency varied, with the RX 350 achieving 23 mpg combined and the RX 450h hybrid reaching 30 mpg combined.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among compact crossovers with its spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered a standard third-row seat in FWD models, while AWD versions focused on maximizing cargo space. The SEL R-Line trim provided exceptional comfort with leather seats, power adjustments, and a panoramic sunroof. The second row was roomy enough for adults, and the cargo area was generous, with up to 73.4 cubic feet of space in AWD models. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard proved challenging to use.

The 2022 Lexus RX offered a comfortable cabin with 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in the standard two-row configuration. While it could accommodate five passengers, the rear middle seat was best for short trips. The three-row L models shared the same wheelbase, resulting in limited cargo space with all seats upright. The RX provided thoughtful interior features, such as a smartphone slot and adjustable-height cup holders, but the cargo area had a high load-in height due to its sporty bumper design. Cargo capacity varied, with up to 58.48 cubic feet available in three-row models with the rear seats folded down.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with standard digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line featuring a more advanced Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available in most trims, offered an 8-inch touchscreen, smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The SEL R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system. However, the natural voice recognition feature required additional subscriptions, and the system's performance was disappointing during testing. The Tiguan also offered a Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2022 Lexus RX featured an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available as an option. Despite being moved closer to the driver, the touchscreen's positioning was ergonomically unfriendly, with access issues due to its placement within a cove. The RX offered voice commands and a touchpad for infotainment control, but both proved frustrating to use. The RX did provide a range of quality tech features, including USB ports, smartphone integration, wireless charging, and premium audio systems. The Lexus App allowed for remote engine start and vehicle personalization.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard Front Assist and Side Assist, with significant improvements to its IQ Drive system. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, while Emergency Assist could safely bring the vehicle 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 standard LED headlights and advanced driver aids aimed to improve this score.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, and a pre-collision system. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS when equipped with optional triple-beam LED headlights but missed the "plus" designation due to headlight ratings. The NHTSA awarded the RX four stars overall, with five stars in side crash tests.