2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a design that was creased, folded, and symmetrical, staying true to VW's conservative and minimalistic philosophy. The design wasn't overwhelmingly emotional but aged gracefully, which appealed to simplicity and minimalism enthusiasts. It sported new front styling that aligned it with VW's larger Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport models, featuring a restyled grille with the new VW logo and available illuminated grille bar. LED headlights became standard, and the model showcased redesigned aluminum wheels along with new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate. Volkswagen offered a streamlined lineup with the S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims, with prices ranging between $25,995 and $36,995, plus a $1,195 destination charge.

The SEL R-Line model particularly stood out with Atlantic Blue Metallic paint and 18-inch machined-surface alloy wheels, complementing the SUV's shiny brightwork. Inside, the SEL R-Line provided a richer-look with perforated and piped leather upholstery, new technology, touch-sensing steering wheel and climate controls, and ambient lighting with a spectrum of 15 colors. The overall aesthetic was upscale, though the hard plastic lower half reminded of its mass-market status. Standard features included keyless entry, push-button start, and heated front seats, with remote engine start included from the SE trim upwards. The Tiguan retained its attractive look while adding subtle enhancements, awaiting a comprehensive redesign in future years.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 offered six trim levels, spanning a broad price range. For the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, Toyota emphasized a rugged look with the TRD Off-Road sporting genuine skid plates and unique components like TRD-tuned suspension. The Adventure trim came closer to the center of the grille with the Toyota badge, featuring black wheels, a faux skid plate, and prominent black cladding around the wheel arches, making it more of a style statement than an actual off-roader.

Inside, the Adventure trim was pepped up with orange accents and a more functional design, including orange-striped and contrast-stitched seats, while its center console remained basic. The interior also featured a frameless rearview mirror and basic but practical storage options, such as a shelf over the glove compartment and spacious door pockets. Comfort and premium touches improved with higher trims, including synthetic leather (SofTex) upholstery and optionally heated front and rear seats. The RAV4's design stuck closely to its 2019 roots, maintaining a rugged and truck-like nature with its trim-specific styles providing varied aesthetics for different preferences.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 lb-ft of torque from 1,900 rpm. Power was transferred to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, with an optional 4Motion AWD system capable of distributing power to the rear wheels when needed. Standard driving modes included Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, with AWD models adding Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings. In Offroad mode, the Tiguan's Hill Descent Control system could engage up to speeds of 19 mph, though its 7.6-inch ground clearance suggested it was better suited for well-traveled paths.

The Tiguan's suspension setup included MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link independent rear suspension, with variable assist steering providing nimble and responsive handling in normal driving situations. The SUV's braking system consisted of 13.4-inch vented front discs and 11.8-inch solid rear discs. Despite some turbo lag when accelerating from a stop and an average fuel economy of around 24 mpg, the Tiguan offered an enjoyably smooth drive, although VW could potentially extract more performance from its engine.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4's standard powerplant was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While it delivered adequate performance, it wasn't particularly quick, and the engine noise was noticeable, though not as pronounced as that of some rivals. The RAV4 offered both FWD and AWD, with the latter adding a Snow Mode for enhanced traction. The Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims came with AWD as standard, with the latter challenging serious off-road conditions thanks to its 18-inch wheels with Falken All-Terrain tires and TRD-tuned suspension.

The RAV4 Hybrid and Prime models exclusively featured AWD, utilizing different powertrains. While performance wasn't the strongest suit of the gas-only RAV4, it managed to provide reliable and unintrusive performance for day-to-day driving, albeit falling short of being truly exciting.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out with its spacious interior, aligning more closely with smaller mid-size SUVs rather than its compact crossover peers. The FWD models included a standard third-row seat, absent in the AWD-equipped versions. The SEL R-Line offered great comfort, with leather-wrapped, eight-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats. Adjusting the seats to different heights was possible, improving visibility and comfort, with added light from the panoramic glass sunroof enhancing the cabin's ambiance.

The second row provided ample space for adults and children, with features like rear air conditioning vents and a USB charging port adding to convenience. Cargo space in the Tiguan was among the best in its class. FWD models with the third-row seat had just 12 cubic feet of cargo volume behind it, expanding to 33 cubic feet with the third-row folded down, and 65.5 cubic feet at maximum capacity. AWD models provided even more space, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 73.4 cubic feet in total.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 offered comfortable seating for five, with variable headroom and legroom across its trims. Front-row headroom was less than that of rivals like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, but rear-row headroom was more generous. Legroom in the front was competitive, while the rear legroom was slightly confined compared to the CR-V and Forester. The narrow back seat meant prioritizing passenger needs would guide trim selection.

The RAV4's clever storage included a shelf spanning the length of the glove compartment, spacious door pockets, and a practical center console. Cargo capacity was accommodating, with 37.5 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. This placed it behind the segment leaders in storage but ahead of others like the Mazda CX-5.

For 2022, the Volkswagen Tiguan offered standard digital instrumentation, with most trims featuring an 8-inch display, while the SEL R-Line boasted a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro. The MIB3 infotainment system, a significant improvement over its predecessor, was standard on all but the base trim, with an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, and SiriusXM 360L. The navigation system and nine-speaker Fender premium audio system were particular highlights in the SEL R-Line.

However, the MIB3's natural voice recognition system fell short during testing, requiring an additional Plus Speech subscription in Car-Net Hotspot for optimal functionality. Car-Net Remote Access was complimentary for five years, allowing remote engine start, door lock operation, vehicle location tracking, and setting Family Guardian alerts. The Safe & Secure plan offered crash notifications and emergency assistance, with optional Hotspot plans adding navigation and online radio.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 saw significant technological upgrades with a new infotainment system featuring standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The 8.0-inch touchscreen was standard, while the Limited and TRD Off-Road trims upgraded to a 10.5-inch touchscreen. The multimedia system supported over-the-air updates, and higher trims featured an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system. A 7-inch driver-information display came standard, with the Limited trim boasting a 12.3-inch version, available also for the TRD Off-Road.

For 2022, the Volkswagen Tiguan included standard Front Assist and Side Assist features. The IQ Drive collection improved with the addition of Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance, active above 40 mph. Despite the touch-sensing steering control challenges, it offered potential safety benefits. Emergency Assist was another critical addition, operating with Travel Assist to safely stop the SUV if the driver became unresponsive.

The 2021 Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" from IIHS, and the 2022 updates aimed to build on that foundation.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 provided an extensive suite of safety features as standard, including lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. Adaptive cruise control was standard, with Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control included in the TSS 2.5 suite, allowing operation below 20 mph. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available on lower trims and standard from XLE upwards.

The RAV4 historically performed well in IIHS evaluations, with the 2023 model earning a Top Safety Pick+ award, thanks to its comprehensive safety equipment.