2023 Hyundai Palisade vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet appealing design, standing out among its competitors with its creased and symmetrical styling. The refreshed front end aligned it with Volkswagen's larger models, featuring a restyled grille with the new VW logo and optional illuminated grille bar. Standard LED headlights and redesigned aluminum wheels added to its modern look. The Tiguan's interior was equally refined, with perforated leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and metallic accents, though the lower half's hard plastic hinted at its mass-market status. The SUV offered keyless entry, push-button start, and heated front seats as standard, with remote engine start available from the SE trim. Overall, the Tiguan maintained its attractive appearance while incorporating subtle enhancements.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, as Hyundai's largest SUV, boasted a commanding presence with its updated styling. The new front fascia, featuring bold strokes and a squared-off grille, gave it a stronger look. Standard LED lighting across the lineup and body-color mirrors with auto-dimming added to its appeal. The top Calligraphy trim stood out with premium rear accent lighting and a unique grille, while the new XRT trim offered a rugged appearance. The Palisade's interior was stylish and spacious, with premium Nappa leather in the Calligraphy trim and a dual-pane sunroof brightening the cabin. The SUV accommodated up to eight passengers, with heated and ventilated seats available in higher trims. The Palisade's design updates and luxurious interior made it a standout choice in its class.

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 directed power to the front wheels, with an optional 4Motion AWD system available. The AWD system could send up to half of the power to the rear wheels, enhancing traction when needed. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings for AWD models. Despite its modest power output, the Tiguan delivered a nimble and responsive driving experience, though it lacked the excitement of more powerful engines. Fuel economy was reasonable, with the R-Line 4Motion achieving 24 mpg combined. The Tiguan's ride and handling were satisfactory for everyday driving, but it wasn't designed for spirited driving.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade featured a robust 3.8-liter V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain was competitive within its class, surpassing several rivals in terms of output. The eight-speed automatic transmission could be controlled via paddle shifters, and AWD was available for an additional cost. The Palisade's HTRAC AWD system proved capable on a muddy off-road course, though the SUV wasn't intended for serious off-roading. It excelled in towing, with a capacity of up to 5,000 pounds and a dedicated Tow Mode for AWD models. Fuel economy was decent, with FWD models achieving 22 mpg combined and AWD models slightly lower. The Palisade offered a comfortable ride, making it an appealing choice for families and long-distance travel.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a spacious compact crossover, rivaling smaller midsize SUVs in interior space. It offered a standard third-row seat in FWD models, though 4Motion models lacked this feature. The SEL R-Line trim provided exceptional comfort with leather-wrapped, power-adjustable front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The second row was roomy, accommodating adults and children with ease. Cargo space was generous, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 73.4 cubic feet with them folded down in 4Motion models. The Tiguan's touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard were a modern touch, though they required some acclimation.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade offered ample space for seven or eight passengers, with generous legroom in all three rows. The second-row seats facilitated easy access to the third row, and the 60/40-split seats folded flat for increased cargo space. The Palisade provided 18 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 86.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. A hands-free smart liftgate was standard on most trims. The Palisade's interior was designed for comfort, with HVAC vents in all rows and numerous cupholders. The layout of physical buttons and knobs was intuitive, and dual-zone climate control was standard in higher trims.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line offering a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro display. The MIB3 infotainment system, available in most trims, included an 8-inch touchscreen, smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM radio. The SEL R-Line added a premium audio system and navigation. However, the natural voice recognition feature required a subscription, limiting its functionality. Car-Net services offered remote access and safety features, with various subscription plans available. The Tiguan also offered an available Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade excelled in technology, with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation. A premium Harman Kardon sound system was available in higher trims. The Palisade supported multiple Bluetooth connections and offered numerous USB ports for charging. A wireless charger was standard on most trims. The digital instrument cluster and head-up display were available in higher trims. The Palisade's Bluelink system provided remote access and management features, including remote start presets and Digital Key 2 Touch compatibility. The in-car intercom and rear-seat quiet mode enhanced passenger communication and comfort.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came with standard Front Assist and Side Assist, along with improvements to its IQ Drive system. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, though its touch controls could be challenging to use. Emergency Assist was another upgrade, bringing 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 enhancements aimed to improve its safety score.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade built on its predecessor's safety reputation, with the 2022 model earning a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. The 2023 Palisade included Hyundai's Smart Sense suite, featuring forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and more. Blind-spot collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance were newly standard. The Palisade offered advanced cruise control and Highway Driving Assist, with additional features in higher trims. Safe exit warning and rear seat occupant alert were standard on most trims, enhancing passenger safety.