2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

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 overly emotional, aged gracefully. The refreshed front styling aligned the Tiguan with Volkswagen’s larger models, featuring a new grille with the updated VW logo and available illuminated grille bar. Standard LED headlights, new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate, and redesigned aluminum wheels added to its appeal. 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, boasted a sportier look, especially in Atlantic Blue Metallic with 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line offered a luxurious cabin with perforated leather upholstery, new technology, touch-sensing controls, and ambient lighting in 15 colors. Despite the upscale appearance, the lower half of the cabin's hard plastic 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 attractive design while adding new features to keep it fresh.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, while not as flashy as some competitors, remained an attractive crossover with a restrained bodywork and a chunky front end that made the grille appear smaller. The gold Bowtie emblem varied in appeal depending on the paint color, with Blue Glow Metallic and Harvest Brown Metallic being particularly attractive. The Equinox was available in four trims: LS, LT, RS, and Premier, all offering FWD or AWD options. The profile featured a thick C-pillar and large windows, giving an impression of spaciousness, which was confirmed by the roomy interior.

The Premier trim test vehicle featured two-tone leather upholstery, standard heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Despite looking a bit dated inside with a small touchscreen and basic driver-information display, the Equinox was practical and user-friendly. The six-speed automatic transmission, while older, provided a simple and gratifying driving experience. The Confidence and Convenience II package added lumbar adjustments, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, an HD surround-view camera, and adaptive cruise control, making it a worthwhile investment.

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 transferred power to the front wheels, with an optional 4Motion AWD system that could send 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 Tiguan's suspension system included MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link independent rear suspension, with variable assist steering that adjusted based on speed. The engine's torque arrived later than some competitors, resulting in momentary turbo lag when accelerating from a stop. However, once the torque kicked in, the Tiguan was enjoyable to drive. Fuel economy for the R-Line with 4Motion was rated at 24 mpg combined, with a real-world average of 24.7 mpg. The Tiguan felt nimble and responsive in normal driving but lacked the fun factor when pushed hard.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, now producing 175 horsepower, up from 170. With 203 pound-feet of torque, it handled low-speed acceleration well but struggled at higher speeds. The six-speed automatic transmission, while older, held gears longer, contributing to the engine's noise. AWD was available but required manual engagement via a button on the center console.

The Equinox's new electronically assisted brake-by-wire system provided smooth and predictable braking. The suspension handled bumps and potholes well, and the steering was tight and accurate, making the Equinox enjoyable to drive in most situations. However, the powertrain's performance was less impressive, especially at higher speeds.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a spacious compact crossover, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered a standard third-row seat in FWD models, though 4Motion models did not. The SEL R-Line featured comfortable leather seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The second row was roomy and comfortable for adults, with rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and ample storage.

Cargo space was among the best in its class, with 12 cubic feet behind the third row, 33 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats 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 Chevrolet Equinox offered 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, outstripping some competitors but falling short of others. With the rear seats folded, it provided 63.9 cubic feet of space. Passenger space was ample, with good headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The interior featured higher-quality plastic components, plenty of storage options, and a nearly silent power liftgate in the Premier trim.

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 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 a Plus Speech upgrade and an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 7-inch touchscreen in the LS, LT, and RS trims, and an 8-inch screen in the Premier. While not as flashy as some competitors, the system was easy to use and responsive. The Premier trim included a wireless charging pad, and all trims offered wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The upgraded driver-information display on higher trims provided useful features like music, navigation, and trip computer information.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard Front Assist and Side Assist. The IQ Drive system added Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist, which 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's improvements aimed to maintain or improve that rating.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox came with standard ADAS features, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, lane-departure assistance, and automatic high beams. While it received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, it scored poorly in the IIHS moderate overlap front crash test and marginally in the side-impact crash test.