2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Toyota Venza

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 overly emotional, aged gracefully and appealed to fans of simplicity and minimalism. The refreshed front styling aligned the Tiguan with Volkswagen’s larger Atlas models, featuring a new grille with the updated VW logo and standard LED headlights. The SUV also boasted redesigned aluminum wheels and new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate. The Tiguan lineup was simplified into 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 SEL R-Line model, priced at $37,970, featured a sportier look with 18-inch alloy wheels and a rich Atlantic Blue Metallic paint.

Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line offered a luxurious cabin with perforated leather upholstery, new technology, and ambient lighting in 15 colors. The touch-sensing steering wheel and climate controls added a modern touch, though the hard plastic in the lower half of the cabin hinted at its mass-market status. Standard features included keyless entry, push-button start, and heated front seats, with remote engine starting available from the SE trim. The updated Tiguan maintained its stylish appeal while adding new features to keep it fresh until its next redesign.

The 2023 Toyota Venza, a midsize crossover SUV, presented a sleek and sculpted design that could easily be mistaken for a Lexus. Its tapered rear roofline and harmonious curves set it apart from typical Toyota models, giving it a more refined appearance. The Venza's interior borrowed elements from the Toyota RAV4 but featured higher-quality materials and details, such as integrated climate-control buttons and more soft-touch surfaces. The cabin's quality approached that of a Lexus, making it one of the best-looking vehicles in Toyota's lineup.

The Venza's front seats provided ample space for taller occupants, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof with an opaque feature. However, rear visibility was limited due to the roof pillar. The rear seats were spacious enough for adults, with plenty of legroom and foot room. The Venza's cargo capacity was limited to 28.8 cubic feet, significantly less than competitors like the Honda Passport and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Despite this, the Venza excelled in holding smaller personal items, with a wireless phone charger, well-sized cupholders, and large door pockets.

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 sent power to the front wheels, with an optional 4Motion AWD system available. The AWD system could transfer up to half of the power to the rear wheels when needed, and drivers could choose between Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes. The Tiguan's Active Control system offered Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings, with Hill Descent Control engaging in Offroad mode.

The Tiguan's suspension system included MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link independent rear suspension, with vented front discs and 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 Tiguan's fuel economy was rated at 24 mpg in combined driving, with our test drive averaging 24.7 mpg. While the Tiguan was enjoyable to drive, it lacked the power and performance expected from its engine, and its ride and handling were best suited for everyday driving rather than spirited driving.

The 2023 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system, producing a combined 219 horsepower. The hybrid system included electric motor/generators paired with a 1.6-kilowatt-hour nickel metal hydride battery pack. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) sent power to the front wheels, while a separate electric motor powered the rear wheels for AWD. The Venza's initial acceleration was provided by the electric motors, with the gasoline engine seamlessly blending in for additional power. The Venza could reach 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, a respectable time for its class.

The Venza prioritized ride comfort over sporty handling, with light steering effort and adequate handling for easy and calm transportation. The ride quality was smoother than the RAV4 Hybrid's but not as plush as a Lexus. The Venza's brakes used regenerative braking for initial pedal application, seamlessly transitioning to physical brake pads when more braking was needed. Overall, the Venza offered a comfortable and smooth driving experience, though its maneuverability could be improved for tighter U-turns.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a spacious compact crossover SUV, with an interior that rivaled smaller midsize SUVs. It featured a standard third-row seat in FWD models, though this was not available in 4Motion models. The SEL R-Line model offered comfortable front seats with leather upholstery, eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The second row was roomy enough for adults and children, with rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and ample storage.

The Tiguan's cargo space was among the best in its class, with 12 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 33 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 65.5 cubic feet. The 4Motion model provided even more space, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and a maximum of 73.4 cubic feet. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard made them harder to use, potentially distracting the driver.

The 2023 Toyota Venza's front seats offered plenty of space for taller drivers and passengers, with large windows and a panoramic sunroof enhancing the feeling of spaciousness. The Star Gaze panoramic roof could turn opaque at the touch of a button, though the fabric shade was more effective at blocking the sun. The rear seats were spacious enough for average adults, with ample legroom and foot room. The Venza's rear passenger area featured high-quality materials, matching the front seats.

The Venza's cargo capacity was limited to 28.8 cubic feet, significantly less than competitors like the Honda Passport and Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Venza was not rated for towing, further limiting its cargo capabilities. However, it excelled in holding smaller personal items, with a wireless phone charger, well-sized cupholders, and large door pockets.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with digital instrumentation, with most versions featuring an 8-inch display and the SEL R-Line offering a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, introduced last year, was available in all but the base Tiguan S, which used MIB2 with a 6.5-inch touchscreen. The MIB3 system 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.

Natural voice recognition was a touted feature of MIB3, but it required a Plus Speech upgrade and an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription. The 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, standard on the SEL R-Line, for autonomous parking.

The 2023 Toyota Venza featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad. The base LE trim had an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the XLE trim and above offered a 12.3-inch multimedia display. The new infotainment system delivered sharp graphics, quick responses, and a logical menu structure. A Wi-Fi connection was available for a 30-day trial, with remote vehicle monitoring and control via a smartphone app. The top Venza Limited trim included a one-year trial subscription to Drive Connect services, which used Google map data for navigation assistance.

The base audio system had six speakers and satellite radio for a three-month trial period. The XLE trim offered an optional nine-speaker JBL premium audio system, which was standard on the Limited model. The upgraded audio system provided punchier bass, making it a worthwhile option for audiophiles.

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 Tiguan’s 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 the SUV and brought it to a stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model's standard LED headlights and advanced driver aids aimed to improve that score.

The 2023 Toyota Venza scored five out of five stars in overall and side crash protection from the NHTSA, and four stars in frontal and rollover protection. The IIHS awarded the Venza its highest score of "Good" in most categories, with an "Acceptable" rating in the new side impact test. The Venza was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite of driver assistance features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and a traffic sign reader. The XLE trim added front and rear parking sensors and automatic emergency braking in reverse, while the Limited trim included a surround-view camera system, head-up display, and digital rearview mirror.