2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet timeless design, distinguishing itself from its often less aesthetically pleasing competitors. Its refreshed exterior featured new front styling, aligning it with Volkswagen's larger models, and included standard LED headlights and redesigned aluminum wheels. The Tiguan's interior boasted a sophisticated cabin with 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 a price range from $25,995 to $36,995, with the SEL R-Line model providing a sportier look and additional features.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota RAV4, a mature crossover SUV, continued to build on its legacy as a sales leader. Its exterior design, while fitting in with current crossover trends, featured angular wheel arches and expressive headlights, creating a playful yet aggressive look. Inside, the RAV4 offered a layered dash with contrasting textures and a user-friendly touchscreen interface. The Adventure-trim test vehicle showcased a circuit-board-inspired geometric pattern throughout the cabin, adding a unique touch to its design. The RAV4's fit-and-finish elevated its overall quality, making it a standout in its class.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, with an optional 4Motion AWD system available. 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 rated at 24 mpg combined. The SUV's ride and handling were nimble and responsive, though it lacked excitement when pushed to its limits.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 provided three powertrain options, with the gasoline-only model featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission and FWD were standard, with AWD available. The RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime offered enhanced performance and fuel efficiency, with the Prime boasting 302 horsepower and a 42-mile electric-only range. The RAV4's naturally aspirated engine provided smooth power delivery, and its car-like handling made it popular among drivers. AWD models featured Multi-Terrain Select and dynamic torque vectoring, enhancing their performance on various road conditions.

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 4Motion models provided ample cargo space, with up to 73.4 cubic feet available. The SEL R-Line trim featured comfortable leather seats with power adjustments and a panoramic sunroof. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard proved challenging for some users.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4, while still classified as a small SUV, offered impressive cargo capacity, with up to 69.8 cubic feet available. It also boasted a healthy payload and towing capacity, making it a versatile choice for various needs. Inside, the RAV4 provided a roomy and comfortable space for four adults, with ample storage options and cupholders throughout the cabin. The front row offered plenty of legroom and headroom, while the second row could accommodate additional passengers when needed.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line offering a more advanced 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, and the system's performance was disappointing during testing. The Tiguan also offered a Park Assist system and various Car-Net connected services, with optional upgrades available.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 came equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with higher trims offering a 9-inch display and an 11-speaker JBL audio system. Standard features included smartphone integration, SiriusXM radio, and various connected services. The RAV4 Prime showcased advanced technology, such as a wireless charging pad, a bird's-eye view camera system, and a head-up display, enhancing its appeal to tech-savvy buyers.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard safety features like Front Assist and Side Assist, with additional 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 enhancements aimed to improve its safety scores.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 featured Toyota's Star Safety System and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering a comprehensive suite of driver-assist technologies. Higher trims included additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The RAV4 earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with the RAV4 Prime achieving a "Top Safety Pick+" designation. The NHTSA awarded the RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid their highest five-star rating.