2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among its competitors with a design that was creased, folded, and symmetrical, leaning towards a conservative aesthetic. This approach, while not eliciting strong emotional responses, aged well and appealed to fans of simplicity and minimalism. The refreshed front styling aligned the Tiguan with Volkswagen’s larger Atlas 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 refined look. The R-Line models, particularly the SE R-Line Black, sported a trendier, blacked-out appearance, while the SEL R-Line in Atlantic Blue Metallic with 18-inch alloy wheels looked particularly striking.

Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line boasted a richer-looking cabin with perforated and piped leather upholstery, new technology, touch-sensing steering wheel and climate controls, and ambient lighting with 15 color options. The interior featured tastefully rendered metallic accents, giving it an upscale appearance, though the hard plastic on the lower half of the cabin revealed its mass-market status. Standard features included keyless entry with push-button start and heated front seats, with remote engine starting available from the SE trim. New interior colors and a panoramic glass sunroof were also available, enhancing the overall appeal of the updated Tiguan.

The 2023 Ford Bronco offered nine distinct trim levels, all sharing a blend of retro-cool styling and modern engineering. Its blocky, upright shape, wide horizontal grille, and big round headlights were unmistakable. The Base trim had a primitive, bare-bones look with steel wheels, while the Raptor trim showcased a wide stance, elevated height, and massive fender flares. The new Heritage trim featured a throwback white grille, roof, and wheels, along with unique plaid seat upholstery, while the Heritage Limited trim offered more capability.

The Bronco's styling was not just for show; functional elements like cleats above the headlights for securing cargo and tree limb-lifter cables, and raised "fins" for better vehicle corner visibility, added to its off-road prowess. Inside, the rugged theme continued with a broad dash, sealed switches and buttons, drain plugs in the floor, and waterproof marine-grade vinyl upholstery. Sturdy handholds and a grid-like mesh on the seat backs for attaching accessories added to its practicality. While the interior materials prioritized durability over luxury, the Bronco remained quieter than an equivalent Jeep Wrangler.

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 programmable 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 MacPherson struts in front and multi-link independent rear suspension, along with variable assist steering, provided a nimble and responsive driving experience. However, the engine's torque arrived later than some turbocharged engines, resulting in momentary turbo lag. The EPA rated the R-Line with 4Motion at 24 mpg in combined driving, and our test drive in Malibu averaged 24.7 mpg. While the Tiguan felt nimble in normal driving, pushing it for outright fun revealed limitations in the tires and suspension.

The 2023 Ford Bronco offered three engine choices: a 2.3-liter four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, a twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 with 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 in the Raptor with 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. All engines came with four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case, with the base engine available with a seven-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission. The Bronco's ride quality was bouncier than a typical family SUV but more stable than a Jeep Wrangler, with better highway tracking and a quieter interior.

The Bronco's high-riding dimensions and big all-terrain tires required more care on curving roads, but it felt more confident than expected. Maneuvering the four-door model was less stressful, thanks to several cameras. The Bronco's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like G.O.A.T. drive modes, numerous camera views, and Trail Turn Assist, making it easier for novices and seasoned off-roaders alike.

The 2022 VW 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 eight-way power-adjustable leather front seats with heating and ventilation, excellent outward visibility, and a panoramic glass sunroof. The second row was roomy and comfortable for adults, with rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and ample storage. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard was less user-friendly.

Cargo space in the Tiguan was among the best in its class, with 12 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 33 cubic feet with it folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with the second row down. The 4Motion model offered 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, rivaling midsize SUVs.

The Ford Bronco's boxy shape provided ample interior space, with the four-door model offering easier access to the rear seats. Up front, netted door pockets, a rubberized tray, and accessory rails atop the dash added to its practicality. The two-door Bronco had 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 52.3 cubic feet with them folded, while the four-door offered 35.6 cubic feet and 77.6 cubic feet, respectively. However, the rear seats didn't fold flat, creating a step-up that hindered sliding longer cargo and sleeping back there.

Hardcore off-roaders appreciated the easily removable fenders and doors, with the fenders requiring no tools and the doors detachable with a single bolt. The Raptor's oversized fenders were not intended for removal.

The 2022 Tiguan featured standard digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line offering a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen, standard Car-Net connected services, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, was available in all but the base Tiguan S. The SEL R-Line included 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.

Car-Net's Remote Access plan was complimentary for five years, allowing remote engine start, door lock operation, vehicle location, and Family Guardian alerts. The Safe & Secure plan offered automatic crash notification and emergency assistance, while the Hotspot plan provided a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Tiguan also offered an available Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2023 Ford Bronco used technology to enhance its off-road abilities, with G.O.A.T. drive modes optimizing engine and suspension settings for various terrains. Camera views provided visibility in tight confines, and Trail Turn Assist allowed sharp turns by braking the inside rear wheel. The Bronco also featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Ford’s SYNC 4, and an optional wireless charging pad. Most Broncos came with an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12-inch display available for easier use.

The 2022 Tiguan came standard with Front Assist and Side Assist, with significant improvements to its IQ Drive system, including Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, while Emergency Assist slowed 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 aimed to improve that score.

The 2023 Ford Bronco received four out of five stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded the four-door Bronco its best score of “Good” in most crashworthiness tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, trailer-sway assist, and Trail Turn Assist. The Mid package added enhanced driver assistance features, while the High and Luxe packages offered additional safety technologies.