2023 Land Rover Defender vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among its competitors with a design that was both creased and symmetrical, leaning towards a conservative aesthetic. This approach, while not overly emotional, aged well and appealed to fans of simplicity and minimalism. The refreshed front styling aligned the Tiguan 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 added to its updated look. The Tiguan lineup was simplified into 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, priced at $37,970, showcased a sportier look with Atlantic Blue Metallic paint and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line boasted a richer cabin with perforated and piped leather upholstery, new technology, touch-sensing controls, and ambient lighting with 15 color options. Metallic accents added an upscale touch, though hard plastic in the lower cabin hinted at 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 2022 Tiguan retained its appealing looks while adding extra flair, ensuring it remained fresh until a full redesign.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender outsold the Land Rover Discovery by more than four to one, thanks to its boxy design reminiscent of the old LR4. The Defender’s design was consistent, with a square-jawed face, rectangular hood and doors, and a chopped tail, defining a classic truck look. Accents like the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and the body-color square separating the side glass paid homage to the original 1980s Defender. The base model featured white steel wheels, while four accessory packages offered additional customization with ladders, roof racks, and more. The Defender was available in three body styles: 90 (two-door), 110 (four-door), and 130 (extended four-door), with the 110 and 130 sharing the same wheelbase but differing in rear length.

Inside, the Defender prioritized function and durability, with most surfaces coated in moisture-wicking and stain-resistant materials. Despite the optional Windsor leather, the interior featured exposed screws, plain air vents, and a basic steering wheel, maintaining the Defender’s hardcore character. Build quality and fit were excellent, though the interior lacked the opulence of a Range Rover. The Defender 110 V8 Carpathian Edition tested had a high MSRP of around $120,000, which felt excessive given its less luxurious feel. However, the Defender’s unique character and off-road capabilities made it a popular choice, with around 20,000 units sold annually.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained 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 an optional 4Motion AWD system that could send up to half the power to the rear wheels when needed. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings for AWD models. Hill Descent Control was available in Offroad mode, but the Tiguan’s 7.6 inches of ground clearance limited its off-road capabilities.

The Tiguan’s MacPherson struts in front and multi-link independent rear suspension provided a balanced ride, with 13.4-inch vented front discs and 11.8-inch solid rear discs for braking. Variable assist steering adjusted based on speed, enhancing maneuverability. However, the engine’s torque arrived later than some turbocharged engines, causing momentary turbo lag when accelerating from a stop. Despite this, the Tiguan was enjoyable to drive, though it could benefit from more power. The R-Line with 4Motion achieved an EPA rating of 24 mpg combined, with a test drive averaging 24.7 mpg. The Tiguan felt nimble in normal driving but lacked the excitement for spirited driving.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled off-road, with impressive grip, wheel articulation, and clearance. The air suspension allowed the Defender to tackle almost any path, though most owners wouldn’t use its full off-road capabilities. On-road, the Defender’s performance was less refined, with friction in the drivetrain, body roll, slow steering, and wind noise. Braking caused noticeable dive, making it less comfortable for everyday driving compared to the Range Rover.

The Defender’s engines included a turbocharged inline-six and a supercharged V8. The V8 delivered 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque, providing thrilling acceleration, though it felt top-heavy. The six-cylinder engine, part of a mild hybrid system, offered 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, with seamless engine start-stop functionality. The base four-cylinder engine, with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, was less impressive for highway driving. The mild-hybrid six-cylinder achieved better fuel economy than the V8, with ratings of 18/23/20 mpg compared to the V8’s 14/19/16 mpg.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was spacious for a compact crossover, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered a standard third-row seat in FWD models, though 4Motion models lacked this feature. The SEL R-Line provided comfortable leather seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The second row was roomy and suitable for adults and children, with rear air conditioning vents and a USB charging port. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard was less user-friendly.

Cargo space was generous, with FWD models offering 12 cubic feet behind the third row, 33 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with the second row folded. The 4Motion model provided 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 73.4 cubic feet with it folded, rivaling midsize SUVs.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled in seating configurations, offering unmatched flexibility. The Defender 90 could seat six with a jump seat, while the 110 offered an optional third row, and the 130 had a standard third row for up to eight seats. The third row featured a separate moonroof, air vents, cupholders, USB ports, and armrests. Large windows and optional panoramic moonroofs enhanced visibility and light.

Cargo space varied by model, with the 130 offering 77 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded, and 14 cubic feet with all rows upright. The 90 provided 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 58 cubic feet with them folded. The 110 offered 34 cubic feet behind the second row and 79 cubic feet with them folded, with three-row models providing 69 cubic feet with all rows folded. The Defender also offered numerous accessories, including off-road tires, roof racks, a console refrigerator, and more.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line offering a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available in all but the base S trim, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, 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 Plus Speech upgrade and an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription.

Car-Net’s Remote Access plan was complimentary for five years, allowing remote engine start, door lock operation, vehicle location, and Family Guardian alerts. The Safe & Secure plan offered automatic crash notification and emergency assistance, while the Hotspot plan provided a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Additional features included Park Assist, standard on the SEL R-Line, which could autonomously steer the SUV into parking spaces.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender offered two touchscreen infotainment systems with Pivi Pro software. The standard 10-inch screen was integrated into the dashboard, while the optional 11.4-inch screen provided greater legibility. Both screens supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice assistant, connected apps, and navigation. Standard features included heated front seats, a proximity key, and power-folding mirrors.

Higher trims added features like heated 12-way power seats, a Meridian stereo, fog lights, surround sound, auto-dimming mirrors, and cooled front seats. The X trim included air suspension, a locking rear differential, an upgraded Terrain Response 2 system, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and a rearview mirror with a camera display. Optional features included a cabin air purifier and configurable ambient lighting.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came with 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 included Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist, which could slow and stop the vehicle 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 this score.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. safety organizations but received five stars in Euro NCAP testing. It came with six airbags, though it lacked front knee and rear side thorax airbags. Standard safety features included lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included a digital instrument panel with full-screen maps, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera system, and automatic steering for trailer reversing. However, a self-steering highway assist was not available.