2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet timeless design, distinguishing itself from its less aesthetically pleasing competitors. Its refreshed exterior featured new front styling that aligned with Volkswagen's larger models, a restyled grille with the new VW logo, and standard LED headlights. The Tiguan's lineup was simplified into four trims, offering both FWD and AWD options, with prices ranging from $25,995 to $36,995. The SEL R-Line trim, tested in Atlantic Blue Metallic, boasted a sportier look with 18-inch alloy wheels and a luxurious interior featuring leather upholstery and ambient lighting. Despite its upscale appearance, the Tiguan's lower cabin areas revealed its mass-market status with hard plastic materials.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E embraced a bold design, merging Mustang styling cues with a crossover SUV form. This electric vehicle gained popularity due to its visual ties to the iconic pony car. Available in various trims, the Mach-E ranged from $45,995 to $63,995, with potential savings from federal and state incentives. The GT trim, tested in Cyber Orange, showcased a distinctive look with unique wheels and a dark front panel. Inside, the Mach-E GT exuded luxury with artificial leather and synthetic suede seats, metallic and gloss-black trim, and advanced technology. The Mach-E successfully blended past and future elements into an appealing package.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, with an optional 4Motion AWD system available. The Tiguan offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, with additional settings for AWD models. Despite its enjoyable driving experience, the Tiguan's engine exhibited turbo lag, and its fuel economy was modest at 24 mpg combined. The Tiguan's ride and handling were satisfactory for everyday driving, but it lacked excitement for more spirited driving.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered a range of power and efficiency options, with horsepower spanning from 266 to 480 and torque from 317 to 634 pound-feet. The Mach-E GT, with its extended-range battery and AWD, delivered 480 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds. The GT Performance Edition increased torque to 634 lb-ft and reduced the range to 260 miles. The Mach-E featured various driving modes, including Whisper, Engage, and Unbridled, with an exclusive Unbridled Extend mode for track use. The Mach-E GT impressed with its speed and handling, though the ride quality was firm. The test drive revealed an efficiency of 37 kWh per 100 miles, better than the EPA estimate.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among compact SUVs with its spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered a standard third-row seat in FWD models, while AWD models provided ample cargo space. The SEL R-Line trim featured comfortable leather seats with power adjustments and a panoramic sunroof. The second row accommodated adults comfortably, and the cargo area offered up to 73.4 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard proved challenging to use.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E combined form and function with its crossover SUV design. It provided seating for five and 34.1 cubic feet of cargo space, including a front trunk. The GT trim featured power-adjustable and heated front seats with artificial leather and synthetic suede upholstery. The rear seats offered comfort for passengers, and the panoramic glass roof enhanced the cabin's airy feel. The Mach-E's cargo area provided 29.7 cubic feet of space, expandable to 59.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front trunk added 4.7 cubic feet of storage, designed for easy cleaning.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with standard digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line featuring a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available on most trims, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, and smartphone mirroring. The SEL R-Line added a premium audio system and navigation. However, the natural voice recognition feature required a subscription and was not active during testing. The Tiguan offered a Park Assist system for autonomous parking and various Car-Net plans for remote access and safety features.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured a 15.5-inch touchscreen running on the Sync 4A infotainment platform, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The system learned user habits and provided access to climate control and vehicle settings. The Bang & Olufsen sound system delivered excellent audio quality. The Mach-E included a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display and Phone As A Key technology, allowing smartphone-based vehicle access. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though a radio tuning knob and driving mode button were missed.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard Front Assist and Side Assist systems, with Travel Assist and Emergency Assist added to the IQ Drive suite. 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's improvements aimed to enhance safety further.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 and BlueCruise hands-free highway driving. BlueCruise 1.2 added lane-change and predictive speed assist functions. Testing revealed the system's effectiveness, though a head-up display would improve usability. The Mach-E received top safety ratings from the IIHS for 2022, but NHTSA ratings for 2023 were incomplete. The Mach-E's safety features and crash protection were commendable.