2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Honda HR-V

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet timeless design, distinguishing itself from its often 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 refined interior featuring leather upholstery and ambient lighting. Despite its upscale appearance, the use of hard plastics in the lower cabin hinted at its mass-market status.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda HR-V underwent a significant styling update, shedding some of its predecessor's quirky charm for a more sophisticated and modern look. The new design featured a lowered beltline, cleaner lines, and a sleeker appearance, with the windshield wipers tucked under the hood. The HR-V Sport trim added black alloy wheels and a more aggressive grille, while the EX-L trim, tested in Nordic Forest Pearl, offered perforated leather seats and dual-zone climate control. The interior followed the refinement trend set by the 2022 Civic, with a metal honeycomb grille and a sculptural center console, providing a premium feel despite its entry-level status.

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 Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings for AWD models. Despite its enjoyable driving experience, the Tiguan's engine exhibited some turbo lag, and its fuel economy was rated at 24 mpg combined. The ride and handling were nimble and responsive, but the vehicle's performance was limited by its tires and suspension.

The 2023 Honda HR-V featured a single powertrain option: a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. The updated CVT included a Step-Shift function, but paddle shifters were no longer available. Drivers could choose from Normal, Snow, ECON, and Sport modes, with AWD as an option. The HR-V's new suspension and widened tracks improved its driving dynamics, making it fun to drive on winding roads, though it lacked power compared to some competitors. The HR-V's fuel efficiency was enhanced by ECON mode, but the vehicle remained noisier at higher speeds.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among compact crossovers with its spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered a standard third-row seat in FWD models, while AWD versions provided ample cargo space. The SEL R-Line trim featured comfortable leather seats with power adjustments, excellent visibility, and a panoramic sunroof. The second row was roomy enough for adults, and the cargo capacity ranged from 37.6 to 73.4 cubic feet, depending on the seat configuration. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard proved challenging to use.

The 2023 Honda HR-V, a subcompact SUV, offered a well-thought-out interior with a center console featuring a shelf for storage and two USB ports. The fastback design slightly reduced rear-seat headroom, but the HR-V still provided 24.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats up and 55.1 cubic feet with them folded. The new hinge design for the rear seats allowed for a higher seating position and a nearly flat floor when folded. The HR-V's passenger volume varied by trim, with the EX-L offering slightly more space. Front-row legroom improved, but rear-seat legroom decreased slightly.

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 on most trims, included an 8-inch touchscreen, App-Connect smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The SEL R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender audio system. However, the natural voice recognition feature required a subscription and was not active during testing. The Tiguan also offered a Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2023 Honda HR-V's infotainment system featured a tablet-style touchscreen, with physical knobs for power and volume. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all trims, with wireless versions available on the EX-L. The EX-L also included a 9-inch display, a wireless charging pad, and an eight-speaker audio system. All HR-Vs had a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and a 7-inch color touchscreen, with additional features like Smart Shortcuts and WiFi capability on the EX-L trim.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard Front Assist and Side Assist, with significant improvements to its IQ Drive systems. 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 new features aimed to improve its safety scores.

The 2023 Honda HR-V made Honda Sensing standard across all trims, including adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, and lane-keeping assist. New features for 2023 included traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and automatic high-beams. The HR-V's single-camera system widened the field of vision, and the EX-L trim added parking sensors and low-speed braking control. The 2022 HR-V received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA, and updates for 2023 aimed to improve its IIHS scores.