2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Subaru Forester

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a sharp contrast to many of its competitors with its crisp, symmetrical design. It maintained an air of conservatism that might not have elicited a strong emotional response but ensured longevity in its appeal. For 2022, the front styling was updated to align the Tiguan with Volkswagen’s larger Atlas models, featuring a restyled grille with the new VW logo and optional illuminated grille bar. Standard LED headlights, new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate, and redesigned aluminum wheels added to its refreshed look. Offered in 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 Tiguan line-up saw simplification. The SEL R-Line test vehicle, priced at $37,970, boasted 4Motion AWD and accessories like a cargo cover. The R-Line models had a sportier aesthetic, especially the SE R-Line Black with its trendy blacked-out look. The Atlantic Blue Metallic paint of the SEL R-Line, complemented by 18-inch alloy wheels, made it particularly striking. Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line exuded an upscale vibe with perforated and piped leather upholstery, touch-sensing steering wheel and climate controls, and ambient lighting in 15 colors. However, hard plastic on the lower half hinted at its mass-market status. Standard features included keyless entry, push-button start, and heated front seats. Remote start, new interior color options, and a panoramic glass sunroof became available starting with the SE trim. In contrast, the 2023 Subaru Forester retained its familiar and practical, though less elegant, design. With its resemblance to older Forester models, especially in Cascade Green Silica, the Forester looked functional rather than stylish. Available trims were Base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring, priced between $26,395 to $36,495 plus a $1,225 destination charge. Our Touring trim test vehicle cost $37,720. The boxy exterior had flared fenders, a narrow waist, and pincer-shaped lighting. The Touring trim stood out with its 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim. Robust roof rails, capable of supporting heavy loads or even a tent, added to its utility. Inside, the Touring trim offered exclusive Saddle Brown leather, exposed stitching, and metallic accents. The interior design leaned on traditional Subaru simplicity with analog gauges, an 8-inch touchscreen, and plenty of hard plastic for easy cleaning. Control layout heavily emphasized buttons and knobs, making the Forester easy to use but visually busy. Overall, while the Forester was all about function over form, the Tiguan managed to balance style with utility.

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. The eight-speed automatic transmission powered either the front or all wheels via VW’s 4Motion AWD system, which could decouple the rear axle to save fuel. The Tiguan featured Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, along with Active Control for varying terrains. Despite the engine’s optimized fuel-saving measures, the 7.6-inch ground clearance limited its off-road capabilities. The MacPherson strut front and multi-link independent rear suspension provided a balanced ride, but turbo lag and fuel economy concerns were notable. The Tiguan with 4Motion AWD achieved a combined fuel economy of 24 mpg according to the EPA, though real-world driving in Malibu yielded 24.7 mpg. In contrast, the 2023 Subaru Forester came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque via a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT emulated a traditional automatic with eight programmed ratios, while Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive) and X-Mode off-road traction management were standard on most trims. Tested during adverse weather conditions in Southern California, the Forester showcased its prowess in rainy and muddy terrains. Despite slight slippage on uneven terrain, the Forester’s capabilities in challenging weather were commendable. During a dry run, though still underpowered compared to some competitors, the Forester felt more lively due to its lighter weight compared to the Subaru Outback. It offered a stable, communicative ride without lateral rocking or excessive fore-aft motions. The Forester’s fuel economy fell short of the EPA-rated 29 mpg combined (26 mpg for Wilderness), achieving 25.9 mpg on the test route, prompting a desire for a turbocharged engine or a hybrid version for improved performance and efficiency.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out in the compact SUV class due to its spacious interior, which rivaled smaller midsize SUVs. Standard FWD models featured a third-row seat, though this option was absent in 4Motion AWD models. The SEL R-Line test vehicle provided exceptional comfort with leather-wrapped, power-adjustable, and ventilated front seats. The panoramic sunroof added to the light and airy feel. The second row was roomy enough for adults and child seats, with rear air vents and smartphone charging ports completing the practical setup. Volkswagen’s switch to touch controls for steering wheel and climate functions faced usability issues. Cargo space was impressive, albeit with variations based on the drivetrain. FWD models offered 12 cubic feet behind the third row, 33 cubic feet with it folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The 4Motion AWD test vehicle provided 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 73.4 cubic feet in total, nearing midsize SUV figures. Conversely, the 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality over aesthetics. The Premium trim included features like a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable heated front seats, and heated mirrors. Higher trims offered upscale touches like StarTex artificial leather or genuine leather, dual-zone climate control, and additional backseat comforts such as heated seats and a power-adjustable front passenger seat. Visibility was a strong suit for the Forester, with tall glass and thin windshield pillars optimizing spatial awareness. Front and rear seat entry were effortless, but the sunroof’s insufficient tint led to cabin heat issues. The Forester’s rear seats, while spacious, lacked sufficient leg support and had an overly reclined backrest angle. Interior storage was ample, with clever touches like multiple pockets on front seatbacks. Cargo capacity was average for the segment, with 26.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats (28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof) and up to 74.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded in the Base model.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with the Digital Cockpit, featuring either an 8-inch display on most models or a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system in the SEL R-Line. The MIB3 infotainment system, introduced the previous year, was standard on all but the base Tiguan S, which sported the MIB2 with a 6.5-inch touchscreen. The MIB3 setup included an 8-inch display, Car-Net connected services, smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, with the SEL R-Line adding a navigation system and Fender premium audio system. However, the much-touted natural voice recognition required an additional Plus Speech upgrade and an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription, which proved complicated and unreliable during testing. Remote Access via Car-Net was included for five years, allowing remote operations like engine start and door locking. Enhanced safety features, navigation, and online radio required extra subscriptions. The 2023 Subaru Forester appeared less advanced at first glance but actually presented a user-friendly technology approach. The Base model included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Upon upgrading to Premium trim, additional features like satellite and HD Radio, Starlink connected services, and a Wi-Fi hotspot were included. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen with optional navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. The Forester’s earlier Starlink system, with separated climate controls, distinct volume and tuning knobs, and key menu buttons, was straightforward and user-friendly, although prone to reflections. Voice recognition was practically useless for precise tasks, emphasizing the need for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto integration.

For 2022, the Volkswagen Tiguan included Front Assist (forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection) and Side Assist (blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert) as standard. The IQ Drive suite received upgrades with Travel Assist (combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering) and Emergency Assist (which would safely stop the vehicle if the driver became unresponsive). The switch to touch-sensing controls caused some difficulty in operation. The 2021 Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, with further incremental improvements expected for 2022. The 2023 Subaru Forester featured an updated EyeSight suite, offering advanced driving assistance and collision avoidance technologies. New software and wider-field cameras enhanced performance. The system added Automatic Emergency Steering as part of the blind-spot monitoring package. Additionally, higher trims included Rear Automatic Braking (RAB), though it could be overly sensitive. Exclusive to the Touring trim was the DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System, with gesture control for climate settings, though traditional knobs were generally preferred. The EyeSight systems performed excellently under testing conditions, showing less intrusive safety behavior compared to the Outback. The 2023 Forester dropped a notch to a Top Safety Pick rating by the IIHS owing to new side-impact and small-overlap frontal-impact test results. NHTSA ratings remained five-star across the board, with a four-star rollover resistance rating.