2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet appealing design, distinguishing itself from its competitors. Its refreshed exterior featured a new front styling that aligned with Volkswagen's larger models, a restyled grille with the new VW logo, and standard LED headlights. The SUV's lineup was simplified into four trims, offering both FWD and AWD options. The SEL R-Line trim, in particular, boasted a sportier look with features like 18-inch alloy wheels and a choice of four paint colors. Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line offered a luxurious cabin with leather upholstery, new technology, and ambient lighting, although the lower half of the cabin revealed its mass-market status with hard plastic materials. Standard features included keyless entry, push-button start, and heated front seats, with additional options like remote engine start and a panoramic sunroof available.

The 2023 Lexus GX, with its imposing spindle grille and 8.1 inches of ground clearance, made a bold visual statement. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned for 2023, limited to 3,000 units and available in three paint colors. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's design leaned towards functionality, with a short wheelbase and minimal overhangs, making it suitable for off-road adventures. The interior, however, was marred by an abundance of plastic materials, reflecting its low sales volume and the need for cost-effective manufacturing. Despite this, the GX offered luxury touches like heated and cooled front seats and a power-retracting steering wheel. The V8 engine provided a satisfying driving experience, although it lagged behind in terms of fuel economy and towing capacity compared to more modern SUVs.

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 various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, with additional off-road settings for AWD models. Despite its modest ground clearance of 7.6 inches, the Tiguan's ride and handling were commendable, though it lacked the power and performance expected from its engine. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 24 mpg for the R-Line with 4Motion, which was consistent with real-world testing.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its 4.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission. While not the most powerful on paper, the V8 provided a satisfying driving experience with a linear power delivery. The GX's towing capacity of 6,500 pounds was respectable, but its fuel economy was less impressive, with an EPA estimate of 15 mpg city and 19 mpg highway. The GX's weight contributed to its predictable handling, and its Torsen limited-slip differential enhanced its off-road capabilities. Despite its age, the GX's driving dynamics were continually improved, offering a communicative road feel and strong braking performance.

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 models 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, accommodating adults and children alike. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard proved challenging to use. Cargo space was generous, with up to 73.4 cubic feet available in AWD models.

The 2023 Lexus GX offered practical storage solutions, with a deep center console bin and conveniently placed cupholders. The decision to retain hard buttons for controls was a welcome choice, providing ease of use. The second row was comfortable, with captain's chairs and fold-out cupholders, while the third row was cramped and best suited for emergencies. The side-hinged trunk door posed challenges, and cargo space was limited, with only 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row. Folding the seats increased capacity to 64.7 cubic feet, still less than some competitors.

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 most trims, included an 8-inch touchscreen, smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L. However, the natural voice recognition feature required additional subscriptions, limiting its functionality. The Car-Net system offered remote access and safety features, with optional upgrades for navigation and online radio. The SEL R-Line trim included a Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2023 Lexus GX's infotainment system, updated in 2022, already felt outdated compared to other Lexus models. The 10.3-inch touchscreen offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration, but the graphics and responsiveness lagged behind competitors. The GX included a CD player and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo. While the infotainment was lacking, the GX excelled in off-road technology, with a real 4WD system, downhill assist, and the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System. The Off-Road Package added features like a multi-terrain monitor and crawl control.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came with standard Front Assist and Side Assist, with improvements to its IQ Drive systems. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, though the touch-sensing controls were challenging to use. Emergency Assist operated when Travel Assist was active, bringing the vehicle to a stop if the driver was 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 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it included several advanced driver assistance systems. These included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams. While missing some top-end features, the GX's safety technology was commendable for a vehicle originally engineered in 2010.