2023 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a standout in the compact crossover category, thanks to its refreshed design that balanced conservatism and sleek aesthetics. Unlike its often less attractive competitors, the Tiguan featured a creased, folded, and symmetrical look that resonated well with fans of simplicity and minimalism, promising an appearance that aged gracefully. The updated front styling in 2022 aligned the Tiguan more closely with Volkswagen’s larger Atlas models and included a restyled grille carrying the new VW logo. The addition of standard LED headlights, a new nameplate lettering on the liftgate, and redesigned aluminum wheels emphasized a modern touch. Especially noteworthy was the illuminated grille bar available in higher trims.

Volkswagen streamlined the Tiguan lineup, offering S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims, with prices ranging from $25,995 to $36,995. The SEL R-Line test vehicle, with its Atlantic Blue Metallic paint, standard 4Motion AWD, and machined-surface 18-inch alloy wheels, looked top-notch. The SEL R-Line featured a premium cabin with perforated leather upholstery, touch-sensing controls, and ambient lighting in fifteen colors. While the upper cabin showcased upscale metallic accents, the lower half’s hard plastic revealed its mass-market roots. Notably, the 2022 Tiguan added keyless entry with push-button start and heated front seats as standard, with the SE trim including remote engine starting, and optional panoramic sunroof in select models.

Turning to the 2023 Toyota Sienna, it strove to redefine minivan aesthetics appealing to a broader audience beyond typical family haulers. Its front-end styling, reminiscent of a Japanese bullet train, and its offering of 18-inch wheels on most trims (with upscale models getting 20s) distinguished its look. Available in several trims, including the LE, XLE, sporty XSE, Limited, and Platinum, plus a new 25th Anniversary Special Edition, the Sienna reflected flexibility in catering to different preferences and budgets.

The Sienna's interior featured lovely brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents in the Platinum trim test model. It offered seating configurations for seven or eight people, with the larger capacity option available in the LE and XLE trims. These eight-seaters supported three-across car seats in the middle row, thanks to LATCH anchors, appealing particularly to families.

Under the hood of the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a familiar setup: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,900 rpm. It paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that powered the front wheels, unless equipped with the optional 4Motion AWD. VW’s AWD system managed to allocate up to half the power to the rear wheels when needed, with adjustable driving modes like Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual available across all trims. The 4Motion-equipped models also featured an Active Control system with Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings. Notably, the Tiguan’s off-road capabilities were moderate due to 7.6 inches of ground clearance.

Although the engine's torque delivered a satisfying drive once fully engaged, slight turbo lag was noticeable during initial acceleration. This delayed response required cautious maneuvering in busy traffic situations. The Tiguan’s overall performance emphasized a balance between nimbleness and fuel economy, with the EPA estimating a combined 24 mpg for R-Line models with 4Motion. In real-world conditions, the test drive yielded a 24.7 mpg average around Malibu, California.

Without major powertrain changes, the Tiguan adhered to its roots with a commendable but not spectacular performance. Its MacPherson strut front suspension, multi-link rear suspension, and braking system added stability and predictability to the drive. While suitable for everyday driving, its limitations showed under sportier conditions.

On the other side, Toyota had reimagined the Sienna in 2020 by making it a hybrid-only vehicle. The powertrain combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two front-mounted electric motors and a third electric motor in AWD variants, producing 245 net horsepower. Although this setup emphasized fuel efficiency, it fell short in delivering robust power, which was apparent given the Sienna’s size and weight. The CVT further added to the somewhat underwhelming driving experience with its less appealing sound and gradual acceleration.

However, the Sienna’s chassis and nimble steering provided a surprisingly engaging drive for a minivan. Despite its size, it handled city driving and highway cruising effectively. Drive modes like EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport allowed customization, though Normal mode was preferred for a balanced experience. EV mode rarely functioned without the gas engine activating, while Eco mode overly extended the simulated gears, and Sport mode didn’t vastly change the driving dynamics.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan impressed with its spacious interior, positioning itself more closely with midsize SUVs regarding roominess. With generous seating and cargo space, it catered well to families. FWD models featured a standard third-row seat, while AWD models omitted this option for increased cargo volume. The SEL R-Line’s front seats offered eight-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation, providing comfort on long drives. The panoramic glass sunroof added to the cabin’s airy feel. The second row also excelled in comfort, accommodating both adults and children with rear air conditioning vents and USB ports.

Cargo capacity varied significantly across the Tiguan’s configurations. FWD models offered 12 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 33 cubic feet with it folded, and a maximum of 65.5 cubic feet. AWD models showed better practicality, providing 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 73.4 cubic feet total with seats down, positioning it well within midsize SUV territory.

Conversely, the 2023 Toyota Sienna leveraged its minivan design to optimize interior space creatively. Storage solutions, including cubbies, bins, and shelves, showcased the minivan’s family-friendly design. Notably, a spacious open cubby below the center console, a long shelf on the dash, and numerous cupholders added convenience for passengers. Despite its larger size (over 200 inches in length and a 120.5-inch wheelbase), it delivered exceptional cargo space utilization. Offering 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet with it folded, and a total of 101 cubic feet, the Sienna stood out for cargo capacity. However, unlike competitors, its second-row seats couldn’t be removed or stowed, potentially limiting maximum cargo space.

Comparing both vehicles' cargo capacities, the Sienna offered more behind the third row and overall but lacked the flexible seating arrangements of other minivans.

Technology differed notably between the two models. The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came with a standard digital instrumentation panel, dubbed Digital Cockpit, featuring either an 8-inch display or the upgraded 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro in the SEL R-Line. The MIB3 infotainment system, available across most trims, included an 8-inch touchscreen with glass mounting, App-Connect smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L. Higher trims gained additional features like a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system and a redesigned navigation interface. However, the system's natural voice recognition was a letdown without the optional Plus Speech subscription, demonstrating room for improvement in user experience. Car-Net services offered notable benefits, including complimentary Remote Access for five years and additional subscription-based enhancements for a yearly cost.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna relied on Toyota’s older infotainment system, providing core features like SiriusXM radio, Bluetooth, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Though practical with physical buttons, the interface felt dated and cumbersome. Integrating Android Auto and Apple CarPlay required wired connections and navigating through multiple menus. Despite its quirks, the system was reliable, and the 9-inch touchscreen and JBL audio system in the test vehicle were adequate, if not extraordinary.

Both vehicles excelled in safety. The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included Front Assist and Side Assist as standard, with significant enhancements to its IQ Drive suite. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist provided crucial intervention if the driver became unresponsive. Despite some challenges with the touch-sensing controls, these features added substantial peace of mind. The Tiguan earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS in 2021, with potential improvements anticipated for 2022.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna impressed with comprehensive standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Its safety credibility was underscored by earning five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS for 2022. Unlike some competitors, Toyota kept the Sienna free of overly gimmicky features, focusing on practical safety technology.