2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Cadillac XT5

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 emotional responses, was appreciated for its simplicity and minimalism, ensuring the vehicle aged gracefully. The refreshed front styling aligned the Tiguan with Volkswagen’s larger models, featuring a new grille with the updated VW logo and standard LED headlights. The SUV also boasted redesigned aluminum wheels and new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate. The Tiguan lineup was simplified into S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims, with prices ranging from $25,995 to $36,995, plus a $1,195 destination charge. The SEL R-Line test vehicle, priced at $37,970, featured a sportier look, especially in Atlantic Blue Metallic with 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line offered a richer cabin with perforated leather upholstery, new technology, touch-sensing controls, and ambient lighting in 15 colors. The interior was accented with metallic touches, giving it an upscale feel, though the hard plastic in the lower half revealed its mass-market status. Standard features included keyless entry, push-button start, and heated front seats, with remote engine starting available from the SE trim. New interior colors and a panoramic sunroof were also options. Overall, the 2022 Tiguan retained its appealing looks while adding some extra flair, keeping it fresh until a full redesign.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 aimed to balance affordability with luxury, incorporating high-end materials, generous tech, and a powerful engine. However, the cabin felt more akin to a Buick or top-trim Chevy than a luxury Cadillac. Despite this, the layout was intuitive, offering good space across both rows and above-average cargo space with 30 cubic feet behind the second-row seats. Cadillac retained many physical controls, making the XT5 more intuitive but somewhat dated compared to rivals. The XT5 provided good headroom and legroom, with a panoramic sunroof available to enhance the airy feel. Standard synthetic leather upholstery could be upgraded to genuine leather in higher trims, which also included heated seats and a heated steering wheel.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan continued with 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 sent power to the front wheels, with an optional 4Motion AWD system that could transfer up to half the power to the rear wheels. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings for AWD models. Despite its 7.6 inches of ground clearance, the Tiguan was best suited for well-traveled paths. The suspension system included MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link independent rear, with variable assist steering for different speeds. The engine's torque arrived later than some competitors, causing slight turbo lag, but once engaged, the Tiguan was enjoyable to drive. Fuel economy for the AWD R-Line was rated at 24 mpg combined, with our test drive averaging 24.7 mpg. The Tiguan felt nimble in normal driving but lacked excitement when pushed harder.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and either FWD or AWD. Acceleration from 0-60 mph was in the high-seven-second range, with the engine sounding rough under heavy throttle. An available V6 engine offered 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, providing a more suitable companion but still lacking driving excitement. Handling was decent, but ride quality suffered on rough roads, with more vibration and noise than expected. The XT5 couldn't match the performance of rivals like the Porsche Macan S or the refinement of the Genesis GV70. Cadillac didn't offer performance variants, unlike competitors with more powerful and aggressive options. Fuel economy for the turbo-four with FWD was 22/29/24 mpg, while the V6 with AWD was 18/25/21 mpg, placing the XT5 ahead of many in its class.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was spacious enough to be compared to smaller midsize SUVs, with a standard third-row seat in FWD models. The SEL R-Line offered comfortable leather-wrapped front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The second row was roomy and comfortable for adults, with rear air conditioning vents and a USB charging port. The switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard was a notable change, though they were harder to use than traditional buttons. Cargo space was among the best in its class, with 12 cubic feet behind the third row, 33 cubic feet with it folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with the second row down. The 4Motion model offered even more space, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 73.4 cubic feet in total.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's interior had more hard plastics and cheaper materials than expected but offered useful storage spaces. The center console storage bin was deeper than expected, and front-seat ergonomics were good. Rear storage was less generous, but passengers had access to large seatback pockets and a fold-down armrest with cupholders. The XT5 provided 30 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 63 cubic feet with the seats folded. These specs were generous compared to rivals like the Porsche Macan and Genesis GV70, which offered less cargo capacity.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came with standard digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line featuring a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available in all but the base S trim, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L. The SEL R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender audio system. Natural voice recognition required a Plus Speech upgrade, which was not active in the test vehicle. Car-Net's Remote Access plan was complimentary for five years, with additional plans available for a fee. The Tiguan also offered an available Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 featured the CUE infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and dual-zone climate controls. The system could be controlled via a rotary controller, voice, or touchscreen. Cadillac offered a Bose premium audio system, wireless charging, and navigation. Physical buttons for climate and steering wheel controls were retained, providing a more intuitive experience. The XT5's system was competitive but not as advanced as Volvo's Google-based system.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard Front Assist and Side Assist, with significant improvements to the IQ Drive system. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, though engaging it could be tricky due to touch-sensing controls. Emergency Assist operated when Travel Assist was active, slowing the SUV if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model's new features could improve that score.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's last full crash test was in 2021, earning top "Good" scores in most areas but a "Marginal" score for headlights. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, parking sensors, lane-keep assist, and more. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and automatic parking assist. The XT5's safety tech was comprehensive but not top-rated.