2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet appealing design, characterized by its creased and symmetrical styling. The refreshed front end 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 SEL R-Line trim, in particular, offered a sportier appearance with its blacked-out elements and attractive Atlantic Blue Metallic paint. Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line boasted a refined cabin with leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and metallic accents, though the lower half's hard plastic hinted at its mass-market status. Standard features included keyless entry, push-button start, and heated front seats, with additional options like remote engine start and a panoramic sunroof available.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, particularly the AMG GLE 53 variant, showcased a more dynamic and athletic design. Its Selenite Gray paint, 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, and polished brightwork contributed to its sporty appearance, reminiscent of an athletic sneaker. Inside, the GLE Coupe exuded luxury with high-end materials, dual-screen instrumentation, and a high-tech ambiance. The cabin featured Nappa leather, a Dinamica suede headliner, and brushed aluminum trim, with ambient lighting enhancing the driving experience at night. The interior design cleverly masked the vehicle's complexity, though the lack of traditional controls posed a learning curve for new users. Over time, drivers acclimated to the technology, finding ways to operate the GLE Coupe with minimal distraction.

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 directed power to the front wheels, with an optional 4Motion AWD system available. This system could transfer up to half of the power to the rear wheels, decoupling when not needed to save fuel. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings for 4Motion models. Despite its 7.6 inches of ground clearance, the Tiguan was best suited for well-traveled paths. The suspension and steering provided a nimble and responsive driving experience, though the engine's torque delivery resulted in some turbo lag. Fuel economy was modest, with the R-Line 4Motion achieving 24 mpg in combined driving.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 429 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 384 pound-feet of torque from 1,800 to 5,800 rpm. The engine included EQ Boost, a 48-volt mild-hybrid system for added power and fuel efficiency. The GLE Coupe's SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission and AMG Performance 4Matic+ AWD system provided robust acceleration and variable torque distribution. The AMG Dynamic Select system offered multiple driving modes, including Sport+ for heightened performance. The AMG Active Ride Control suspension and AMG Performance brakes enhanced handling and stopping power. In urban settings, the GLE Coupe's steering and turning radius facilitated maneuverability, though the AMG Performance brakes required careful modulation. The suspension absorbed speed humps effectively, but the 22-inch wheels and sporty tuning were less forgiving on rough surfaces. The GLE Coupe excelled in both city and highway driving, with ample performance reserves for spirited driving.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among compact crossovers for its spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered a standard third-row seat in FWD models, though 4Motion versions lacked this feature. The SEL R-Line trim provided exceptional comfort with leather-wrapped, power-adjustable front seats, excellent visibility, and a panoramic sunroof. The second row accommodated adults comfortably, with rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard added sophistication but posed usability challenges. Cargo space was generous, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 73.4 cubic feet with them folded, rivaling midsize SUVs.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe accommodated up to five passengers, though four was more practical. The sport-bolstered front seats offered numerous adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functions, ensuring comfort on long drives. Rear visibility was limited, necessitating the use of available cameras. The back seat provided ample legroom, and the 27.5 cubic-foot cargo hold expanded to 63.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Despite offering less space than the regular GLE, the Coupe's luxurious features, such as heated and massaging seats, four-zone climate control, and an in-cabin fragrance system, added to its appeal.

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, Car-Net connected services, smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The SEL R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender audio system. However, the natural voice recognition required a Plus Speech upgrade and a Car-Net Hotspot subscription. Car-Net's Remote Access plan was complimentary for five years, offering remote engine start and other features. The Tiguan also offered Park Assist for autonomous parking.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe came with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring dual 12.3-inch screens for digital instrumentation and touchscreen controls. Standard features included navigation, satellite radio, smartphone integration, and wireless charging, along with a Burmester audio system. MBUX was user-friendly, with natural voice recognition activated by saying "Hey Mercedes." Optional features included gesture recognition, augmented video navigation, a head-up display, and an upgraded Burmester 3D audio system.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard Front Assist and Side Assist systems, with significant upgrades to its IQ Drive suite. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, though the touch-sensing controls posed challenges. Emergency Assist operated with Travel Assist, slowing the SUV if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with hopes for improved scores in 2022.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe offered numerous safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Pre Safe Sound system emitted a tone to protect hearing during a collision. The Driver Assistance Package added 15 systems, including Traffic Jam Assist and Active Lane Change Assist. The Active Emergency Stop Assist detected unresponsive drivers, bringing the SUV to a stop and initiating an SOS call. The GLE Coupe's safety systems were refined and accurate, though crash-test results were unavailable.