2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among its competitors with a design that was creased, folded, and symmetrical, leaning towards conservatism. This approach, while not eliciting strong emotions, aged well and appealed to fans of simplicity and minimalism. For 2022, the Tiguan received new front styling to align it with Volkswagen’s larger Atlas models, featuring a restyled grille with the new VW logo and an available illuminated grille bar. Standard LED headlights, new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate, and redesigned aluminum wheels were also part of the update. The Tiguan lineup was simplified to S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims, with prices ranging from $25,995 to $36,995, plus a $1,195 destination charge. The SEL R-Line test vehicle, with 4Motion AWD and an accessory cargo cover, totaled $37,970 MSRP. The R-Line models had a sportier look, with the SE R-Line Black featuring a trendy blacked-out appearance. The SEL R-Line in Atlantic Blue Metallic looked terrific with its machined-surface 18-inch alloy wheels. 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 choices. However, the hard plastic in the lower half of the cabin revealed its mass-market status. Standard features included keyless entry, 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 options. Overall, the updated 2022 Tiguan retained its great looks while adding extra pizzazz.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, building on the legacy of the original Grand Cherokee, extended the classic style by more than a foot without sacrificing its tough and upscale look. The Hydro Blue example with the High Altitude package featured a blacked-out grille, logos, and door handles, dark gray 21-inch wheels, black leather with gold stitching, and matte-finish light walnut trim. The U-shaped fenders and square greenhouse were quintessential Jeep, while modern elements like slim LED lighting and body-color bumpers with integrated exhaust tips added a clean, lasting appeal. The interiors of upper trims were impressive, with 90 percent of the materials feeling justified for a $70,000 truck. The polished black dash hid an optional touchscreen, and the gear selector and driving mode toggles felt appropriately damped. The diamond-patterned stitching on the seats and aluminum speaker grilles added to the classy feel. Lower trims lacked these details but still offered a dramatically better look and feel compared to lower-priced competitors like the Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan continued with 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 4Motion AWD as an option. The AWD system could decouple the rear axle to save fuel when not needed. Drivers could choose between Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings for 4Motion models. The Tiguan’s Hill Descent Control operated at speeds up to 19 mph in Offroad mode, but with just 7.6 inches of ground clearance, it was best suited for well-traveled paths. The suspension setup included MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link independent rear suspension, with variable assist steering. The engine’s torque arrived later than some turbocharged engines, resulting in momentary turbo lag when accelerating from a stop. Despite this, the Tiguan was enjoyable to drive, though it seemed VW could extract more power from the engine. The EPA rated the R-Line with 4Motion at 24 mpg combined, and our test drive in Malibu averaged 24.7 mpg. The Tiguan felt nimble and responsive in normal driving but lacked the fun factor when pushed hard.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L’s weakest element was its standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The engine groaned and grinded its way to power, feeling outdated. The sport mode improved throttle response but prevented the eight-speed automatic transmission from upshifting to top gear in regular driving. The optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8, with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, was recommended, especially for towing, with max ratings of 7,200 pounds compared to 6,200 with the V6. The V8 also sounded fantastic. Fuel economy for 4x4 models was 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined with the V6, while the V8 rated 14/22/17. The chassis felt solid and stiff, providing confident handling. With air suspension, the Summit Reserve handled corners without excessive lean and maintained a pliable ride. The steering could be quicker, but the handling topped the class. Jeep offered three 4WD systems, with RWD standard. The 4WD systems were permanent, engaging all four wheels at all times. The air suspension allowed for up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance and could lower for improved aero and parking. The Grand Cherokee L was tougher than most buyers needed but excelled off-road.

The 2022 VW Tiguan was a giant among compact crossover SUVs, with an interior spacious enough to compare to smaller midsize SUVs. Volkswagen even installed a standard third-row seat in FWD models, though 4Motion models did not offer this feature. The SEL R-Line was exceptionally comfortable, with leather-wrapped front seats offering eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The tall driving position and excellent outward visibility, along with the panoramic glass sunroof, added to the comfort. The second row was roomy and comfortable for adults, easily accommodating children in reverse-facing child safety seats. The SEL R-Line had rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and decent storage. The switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard was a notable change for 2022, though they were harder to use than traditional buttons and knobs. Cargo space was among the best in the class, with 12 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 33 cubic feet with it folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down in FWD models. The 4Motion model offered 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 73.4 cubic feet maximum capacity, rivaling midsize SUVs.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L’s added length provided more legroom for second-row passengers, feeling cavernous even for tall individuals. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, with a center console and four-zone climate control on Summit and Summit Reserve trims. A 60/40 bench seat was a $750 option. The third row power-folded up and down, with power-folding headrests accessible from the main touchscreen, though the second row was manual. The third row was tight for adults, best for kids under 12. Sight lines and visibility were good from the driver’s seat, with two rows of buttons surrounding the touchscreen for audio, climate control, and other functions. Some legibility issues with the infotainment system’s graphics and text were noted. Cargo space was ample, with 17 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet behind the second row, and 85 cubic feet with both rows folded, topping the class.

For 2022, the Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital instrumentation, with most versions using an 8-inch display and the SEL R-Line featuring a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system carried over in all but the base Tiguan S, which used MIB2 with a 6.5-inch touchscreen. The MIB3 system had an 8-inch touchscreen, standard Car-Net connected services, App-Connect smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The SEL R-Line included a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system. Natural voice recognition was a touted improvement, but it required a Plus Speech upgrade and an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription, which was not active in the evaluation vehicle. Car-Net’s Remote Access plan was complimentary for five years, allowing remote engine start, door lock operation, and vehicle location tracking. The Safe & Secure plan and Hotspot plan were upgrades, with additional features like automatic crash notification and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The 2022 Tiguan also offered an available Park Assist system for autonomous parking, standard on the SEL R-Line.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L’s Laredo and Altitude trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel. The Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen and navigation that showed full-screen maps on the instrument panel. All systems ran Uconnect 5, which was generally quick and easy to use despite some legibility issues. The McIntosh sound system, with 19 speakers, was good but lacked surround imaging from the rear speakers. For 2023, this audio system and a lesser Alpine unit were available as standalone options on upper trims. Navigation was standard on the Limited and Overland trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on all trims. The night vision system was superb, projecting an infrared image on the instrument panel and highlighting people and animals. The Active Driving Assist provided semi-automated control on marked highways. The 16-way power front seats with massage programs and a head-up display were highlights. The passenger screen in the dash was only active when a front passenger was seated, allowing video and music playback, navigation control, and activation of the 360 cameras and "FamCam." Amazon Fire TV was available for streaming from the Jeep’s LTE connection.

For 2022, the Volkswagen Tiguan included standard Front Assist (forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection) and Side Assist (blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert). The IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems added Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist, which operated when Travel Assist was active. The 2021 Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model’s standard LED headlights and more sophisticated driver aids aimed to improve that score.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L scored a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for models built after May 2023, when Jeep reinforced the frame for higher side-impact test scores. It also scored five stars in every NHTSA test except rollover, where it scored four. Standard safety features included driver and passenger front knee airbags, forward emergency braking, rear emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features on Limited and Overland trims included front cross-traffic braking, a backup camera washer, and 360-degree cameras. Night vision and Active Driving Assist were available on Summit and Summit Reserve trims.