2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among its competitors with a conservative yet timeless design. Its refreshed front styling aligned it with Volkswagen’s larger models, featuring a new grille, standard LED headlights, and redesigned aluminum wheels. The SEL R-Line trim, in particular, boasted a sportier look with blacked-out elements and attractive Atlantic Blue Metallic paint. Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line offered a rich cabin with leather upholstery, new technology, and ambient lighting, though the lower half's hard plastic betrayed its mass-market status.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport embraced a modernist and reductive design, focusing on clean lines and simplicity. Despite its subdued Eiger Gray paint and silver 23-inch wheels, the SUV exuded understated luxury. The interior featured a Deep Garnet over Ebony theme with aluminum and shiny black trim, offering a high-tech and luxurious appearance. The Range Rover Sport's design highlights included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and excellent aerodynamics, contributing to its refined look.

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 transferred power to the front wheels, with an optional 4Motion AWD system available. The Tiguan offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, with additional off-road settings for AWD models. Despite its enjoyable drive, the Tiguan's engine exhibited momentary turbo lag, and its fuel economy was modest at 24 mpg combined.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement, comfort, and driver-focused engagement. It offered a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque in the SE P360 and 395 hp and 406 lb-ft in the SE Dynamic P400. A plug-in hybrid drivetrain was also available, delivering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft with an estimated 51 miles of electric range. The Range Rover Sport's adaptive damping air suspension and advanced driving modes provided a comfortable and composed ride, though it struggled to match the agility of sport-tuned competitors.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in interior space, offering a spacious cabin comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. The SEL R-Line trim featured comfortable leather seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The second row was roomy enough for adults and children, with rear air conditioning vents and USB ports. Cargo space was generous, with up to 73.4 cubic feet available in AWD models. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard proved challenging to use.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained its Command Driving Position, providing a tall and airy feel. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, and the front seats offered 20-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat, while improved, remained tight for taller passengers, and narrow door openings hindered access. Cargo space was decent, with 31.9 cubic feet available and a maximum of 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Range Rover Sport also featured thoughtful storage solutions and a full-size spare tire.

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 in most trims, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, and smartphone mirroring. However, the natural voice recognition feature required a subscription and proved disappointing during testing. The Tiguan also offered an available Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment platform was often confusing and frustrating to use. The Range Rover Sport also offered impressive Meridian audio systems and a next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard Front Assist and Side Assist, with significant improvements to its IQ Drive system. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, while Emergency Assist could safely bring the SUV 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 this score.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with numerous advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, and a surround-view camera system. However, the adaptive cruise control and steering assist technologies were not as smooth or reliable as expected, particularly on freeway curves.