2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Subaru Outback

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 eliciting strong emotional responses, was appreciated for its simplicity and minimalism, ensuring the vehicle aged gracefully. The refreshed front styling aligned the Tiguan with Volkswagen’s larger 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.

Volkswagen simplified the Tiguan lineup for 2022, offering it in S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). Prices ranged from $25,995 to $36,995, with a destination charge of $1,195. The SEL R-Line test vehicle, priced at $37,970 MSRP, featured a sportier look with Atlantic Blue Metallic paint and 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line boasted a richer cabin with leather upholstery, new technology, touch-sensing controls, and ambient lighting in 15 colors. However, the hard plastic in the lower half of the cabin revealed its mass-market status.

The 2023 Subaru Outback received a facelift, featuring a new front end with redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray vertical cladding. This gave the Outback a more aggressive appearance, especially with the simulated skid plate and fog lights in oversized housings. The Onyx Edition, with black wheels and trim, complemented the bold cladding, making it more appealing in darker paint colors.

The Onyx Edition was one of six trims available for the Outback in 2023, now offered with both the base and turbocharged powertrains. The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine was available in Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring trims, with prices ranging from $28,395 to $39,845 plus a $1,225 destination charge. The turbocharged XT models, available in Wilderness, Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring trims, ranged from $38,445 to $42,295 plus destination. Our test vehicle, a Touring trim with the standard powertrain, was priced at $41,070 including destination charges. The Touring’s interior, with Java Brown leather and contrasting stitching, offered an upscale and cohesive look, though the large infotainment screen and gloss black trim collected dust and smudges.

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. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings for AWD models. Despite its 7.6 inches of ground clearance, the Tiguan was best suited for well-traveled paths.

The Tiguan’s suspension included MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link independent rear, with 13.4-inch vented front discs and 11.8-inch solid rear discs. The variable assist steering adjusted based on speed, providing a nimble and responsive feel in normal driving situations. However, the engine’s torque arrived later than some turbocharged engines, resulting in momentary turbo lag when accelerating from a stop. The EPA rated the R-Line with 4Motion at 24 mpg combined, and our test drive in Malibu averaged 24.7 mpg. While the Tiguan was enjoyable to drive, it lacked the power and performance expected from its engine, making it a 5/10ths vehicle in terms of ride and handling.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured horizontally opposed engines, known for their flat design and characteristic grumble. Our 3,781-pound test vehicle, with the standard 2.5-liter engine producing 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm, felt underpowered. The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) made good use of the engine at lower speeds, but passing and climbing power was lacking. The EPA rated the standard engine at 28 mpg combined, but our test returned 25.6 mpg over 600 miles.

For better performance, the turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine in the XT models produced 260 hp at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. The XT models, though less fuel-efficient, offered greater satisfaction with their responsive acceleration. Both engines paired with a CVT that mimicked an eight-speed automatic, with paddle shifters for manual control. The Outback’s Active Torque Split AWD system varied power distribution as needed, and the X-Mode traction system optimized performance on challenging terrain. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance (9.5 inches for the Wilderness trim), the Outback excelled off-road and in snowy conditions. However, the standard engine’s lack of power was evident in city and highway driving, making the turbocharged engine a better choice for those seeking more performance.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a spacious compact crossover, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered a standard third-row seat in FWD models, though 4Motion models did not. The SEL R-Line test vehicle featured comfortable leather front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The second row was roomy and comfortable for adults, with rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and ample storage.

One significant change for 2022 was the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard, which, while sophisticated, were harder to use. Cargo space was among the best in its class, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down in 4Motion models. FWD models with the third-row seat offered 12 cubic feet behind the third row, 33 cubic feet with it folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a robust roof rack and flat door sill trim. The Touring test vehicle had a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with a thigh support bolster, an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, and heated and ventilated front seats. The rear outboard seats were also heated, and all seats were wrapped in premium Nappa leather. The Outback’s high ground clearance made it easy to get in and out of, and the spacious interior kept passengers comfortable on long trips.

Cargo space measured 32.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 75.6 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. The flat, textured plastic door sills served as steps to reach the roof rack, which was ready for tying down items and accepting accessory racks. However, the Outback could benefit from more practical storage space, as the dashboard shelf and center console could be redesigned for additional trays or cubbies.

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 Tiguan S, 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 premium audio system. However, the natural voice recognition system required a Plus Speech upgrade and an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription to function properly.

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 offered automatic crash notification and emergency assistance, while the Hotspot plan provided a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Tiguan also offered an available Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, except for the Base trim, featured a Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with physical controls for volume, tuning, climate control, and defrosters. The base model had a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims offered wireless connectivity, navigation, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. The Starlink system, though improved, still had confusing graphics and icons, and the native voice recognition system was unreliable.

Additional technologies included a camera-based digital rearview mirror, a 180-degree front-view camera, and a surround-view camera (not available on the Outback). The wireless smartphone connectivity reduced clutter and was a welcome addition, given the poor performance of the native voice recognition system.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with 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 included Travel Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist, which slowed and stopped 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 that score.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured new EyeSight cameras and an electronic brake booster, enhancing safety features and adding pedestrian, cyclist, and automatic steering functions. The Base model included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Automatic Emergency Steering. The Outback Limited and Touring offered a third Wide-Angle Mono Camera for better pedestrian and cyclist detection. The Outback earned top marks from the IIHS, including in the new side-impact crash test.