2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among its often less aesthetically pleasing rivals. Featuring a creased, symmetrical design, the Tiguan leaned towards a more conservative, yet timeless, look. The fresh front styling brought it in line with the larger Atlas models, with a new grille bearing the updated VW logo and available illuminated grille bar. The SUV included standard LED headlights, redesigned aluminum wheels, and new rear liftgate nameplate lettering.

Trim levels for the Tiguan included S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line, with both FWD and AWD options. Prices ranged from $25,995 to $36,995, with an additional destination charge of $1,195. The SEL R-Line test model, dressed in Atlantic Blue Metallic with 18-inch alloy wheels, retailed at $37,970.

Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line boasted a luxurious cabin featuring perforated leather upholstery, touch-sensing controls, and ambient lighting with 15 color options. Despite the presence of some hard plastics, the interior exuded an upscale aura. Keyless entry, push-button start, heated front seats, and, starting with SE trim, remote engine starting were standard. New interior color choices and an optional panoramic glass sunroof added to the vehicle's appeal.

The 2023 Ford Escape's exterior broke with its previous blocky tradition, adopting a more European look. The refreshed grille replaced a cartoonish predecessor and included a central-mounted Ford logo and an LED light bar. Trim levels ranged from Active to ST-Line Elite, with the ST-Line Elite model flaunting 19-inch wheels and a sleek design.

Inside, the ST-Line Elite’s diamond-stitched leather upholstery looked aesthetically pleasing, although it felt a bit hard and plasticky. The seats were comfortable and padded, especially the 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Some plastic components felt on the cheaper side, but overall, the cabin was expected to hold up well over time.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan continued to use a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,900 rpm. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, power was channeled to the front wheels or through VW’s 4Motion AWD system. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional off-road settings for AWD models.

Hill Descent Control in Offroad mode activated up to 19 mph, though the vehicle's 7.6-inch ground clearance suggested it stayed on smoother paths. The Tiguan’s ride quality and handling were commendable within typical driving limits, although its tires and suspension fell short during spirited driving. Fuel economy was a notable point, achieving 24 mpg in combined driving.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape featured two powertrains. The base 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine developed 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. The more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder generated 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and only available in AWD.

Despite the four-cylinder’s power, the Escape's suspension remained soft, and the transmission lacked performance tuning. Instead, comfort was prioritized, making the Escape suitable for long drives on poor road surfaces. The braking was predictable and linear, and the steering, while vague, was well-weighted and easy to manage.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in interior space, often competing with smaller midsize SUVs. Front seats were leather-wrapped with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The second row was spacious enough for adults and children alike. Cargo space was among the best, offering 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, a strong showing for the category.

The 2023 Ford Escape, while comfortable, fell short compared to some competitors in cargo space. It provided up to 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, similar to the Chevrolet Equinox and Mazda CX-5 but less than the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, and Nissan Rogue. Passenger space was adequate, though the rear legroom was slightly less than desired.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital instrumentation with an 8-inch display for most trims and a 10.25-inch display on the SEL R-Line. The MIB3 infotainment system, available on all trims but the base S model, included an 8-inch touchscreen, standard Car-Net connected services, and App-Connect smartphone mirroring. Although the voice recognition feature required additional subscriptions, the overall setup was advanced, with an excellent Fender audio system in higher trims.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 system. Lower trims came with an 8-inch screen, while higher trims featured a 13.2-inch display, enhancing the cabin’s aesthetics and usability. Features included navigation, music, Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a static Home button for easy access. Minor drawbacks included a slightly slow response and inconvenient volume knob placement. However, Sync 4 was laudable for its intuitive layout.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came with standard Front Assist and Side Assist. New for this year was Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. Emergency Assist was another key addition, safely bringing the vehicle to a halt if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 model received a "Top Safety Pick" from IIHS, and improvements in lighting and driving aids could only bolster this rating for 2022.

The 2023 Ford Escape earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of achieving a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to a Marginal side-impact test score. Including Co-Pilot360 ADAS was a strong point, with features like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Co-Pilot360 2.0 added semi-autonomous driving capabilities and a surround-view camera.