2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among its competitors with a design that was both conservative and timeless. Its refreshed front styling aligned it with Volkswagen’s larger models, featuring a new grille, standard LED headlights, and redesigned aluminum wheels. The SEL R-Line trim, in particular, boasted a sportier look with blacked-out elements and a striking Atlantic Blue Metallic paint. Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line offered a luxurious cabin with leather upholstery, new technology, and ambient lighting, though the hard plastic in the lower half of the cabin hinted at its mass-market status.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sienna embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV-like styling cues. The Sienna featured a bold front end and cleverly concealed sliding door channels for a sleeker profile. The interior was designed with family convenience in mind, offering ample storage, comfortable seating for up to eight passengers, and power-operated sliding doors and tailgate. The Sienna's cabin was spacious and practical, with a focus on functionality and comfort for all occupants.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Power was delivered through an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the option of VW’s 4Motion AWD system. The Tiguan offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, as well as Offroad settings for AWD models. Despite its decent performance, the Tiguan experienced some turbo lag, and its fuel economy was modest at 24 mpg combined. The ride and handling were satisfactory for everyday driving, but the Tiguan lacked the excitement some Volkswagen enthusiasts might expect.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, came exclusively with a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. The Sienna offered both FWD and AWD options, with the latter featuring an additional electric motor for the rear wheels. The hybrid system used an electronically controlled CVT, providing smooth and efficient power delivery. The Sienna's handling was impressive for a minivan, thanks to its TNGA platform, and it delivered excellent fuel economy, with EPA ratings of 36 mpg combined for FWD models and 35 mpg combined for AWD models.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a spacious compact crossover, often compared to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered a standard third-row seat in FWD models, though this feature was absent in AWD versions. The SEL R-Line trim provided comfortable leather seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The second row was roomy and suitable for adults and children alike. Cargo space was generous, with up to 73.4 cubic feet available in AWD models. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard was less user-friendly than traditional buttons.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in practicality, capable of carrying a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The sliding second row added flexibility for loading cargo, and the Sienna offered 33.5 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row. The Sienna also had a 3,500-pound towing capacity. The third-row bench easily stored away, and each row featured ample storage and cupholders. Power-operated sliding doors and tailgate with foot-motion triggers added convenience for busy families.

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 most trims, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, and smartphone mirroring. However, the natural voice recognition system required a subscription and was not active during testing. The Tiguan also offered a Park Assist system for autonomous parking in the SEL R-Line trim.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came with a 9-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM. While it lacked wireless smartphone integration, it offered a range of telematics services, including Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Service Connect. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker JBL audio system and an optional rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The Sienna also offered a head-up display in Platinum trim and a digital rearview mirror for improved visibility.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard Front Assist and Side Assist, with significant upgrades to its IQ Drive system. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, while Emergency Assist could 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 aimed to improve with new safety features.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The Sienna came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including adaptive cruise control, lane-centering, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. It also featured 10 airbags, multiple LATCH connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, and tire-pressure monitoring with an inflator kit.