2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Volvo XC60

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, 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 new grille with the updated VW logo and available illuminated grille bar. Standard LED headlights, new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate, and redesigned aluminum wheels added to its appeal. The SEL R-Line trim, in particular, boasted a sportier look with options like the Atlantic Blue Metallic paint and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line offered a richer cabin experience with perforated leather upholstery, new technology, touch-sensing controls, and ambient lighting in 15 colors. Metallic accents added an upscale 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 attractive design while adding new features to keep it fresh until a full redesign.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 offered three powertrains, starting with the B5’s turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology and standard AWD. The B6 variant added a supercharger to the mix. The top-tier XC60 Recharge featured a turbocharged PHEV powertrain, combining a 2.0-liter turbo engine with an 18.8-kWh battery for an estimated 35 miles of electric driving. Prices ranged from just under $46,000 to over $76,000, with trim levels including Core, Plus, Ultimate, and the PHEV-only Polestar Engineered.

Our test vehicle, a Recharge Ultimate with the Dark exterior theme, included extras like Thunder Grey paint, a Climate Package, air suspension, and a Bowers & Wilkins sound system, bringing the MSRP to $74,690. The XC60 Recharge impressed with its stylish design, sitting on 20-inch wheels and featuring blacked-out trim. Inside, the Scandinavian minimalist design shone through, with black leather, wood trim, metal accents, ambient lighting, and a panoramic sunroof creating an opulent atmosphere. The Orrefors crystal gear selector knob added a touch of luxury, making the XC60 Recharge a standout in both look and feel.

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. Power was transferred via an eight-speed automatic transmission to the front wheels, with an optional 4Motion AWD system capable of sending 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 setup included MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link independent rear suspension, with variable assist steering that adjusted based on speed. The engine’s torque arrived later than some competitors, resulting in momentary turbo lag when accelerating from a stop. However, once the torque kicked in, the Tiguan was enjoyable to drive, though it could benefit from more power. The EPA rated the R-Line with 4Motion at 24 mpg combined, and our test drive in Malibu averaged 24.7 mpg. The Tiguan felt nimble and responsive in normal driving but lacked the fun factor when pushed hard.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing a total of 455 horsepower and 423 pound-feet of torque. The PHEV powertrain offered an estimated 35 miles of electric driving range and a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. Driving modes included Hybrid, Power, Pure, Off-road, and Constant AWD, with additional battery usage settings like Auto, Hold, and Charge.

The XC60 Recharge was exceptionally quick, with Volvo claiming a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds. The updated powertrain, introduced in mid-2022, made the XC60 Recharge the most powerful in Volvo’s history. In Hybrid mode, the rear motor provided a torque-vectoring effect, enhancing the driving experience. Our test drive in Pure mode achieved 38.3 miles of electric range, and switching to Power mode improved the SUV’s responsiveness and handling. The XC60 Recharge averaged 54.6 mpg over a 65-mile route, demonstrating impressive efficiency. Charge mode allowed the battery to recharge while driving, though fuel economy dropped to 19.7 mpg during this test.

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 this feature was absent in AWD versions. The SEL R-Line trim provided exceptional comfort with leather-wrapped, eight-way power-adjustable front seats featuring heating and ventilation. The second row was roomy and comfortable for adults, with rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and ample storage.

Cargo space was generous, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down in AWD 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 switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard was a notable change, though they were harder to use than traditional buttons and knobs.

The 2023 Volvo XC60, a compact crossover, was best suited for four passengers, though it could accommodate five. The front seats, wrapped in Nappa leather in the Ultimate trim, offered outstanding comfort with heating, ventilation, and power cushion extensions. The back seats were also comfortable, though legroom was tight for taller passengers. The large panoramic sunroof added to the sense of space, and heated rear seats were a welcome feature.

Storage space was decent, with practical spots in the center console, door panel bins, and glovebox. The power liftgate revealed 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the seat folded down. The cargo area included a netted space for the charging cord and buttons to lower the suspension for easier loading. A ski pass-through panel allowed for carrying four people and their skis simultaneously, though there was no underfloor storage due to the battery pack.

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 S trim, 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, but it required a Plus Speech upgrade and an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription. Car-Net’s Remote Access plan was complimentary for five years, offering remote engine start, door lock operation, and vehicle location services. The Safe & Secure plan included 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 Volvo XC60 came with a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 9-inch Google Built-in infotainment system. The system included four years of access to Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play, supporting both Android and Apple CarPlay. The portrait-style touchscreen featured excellent graphics and an intuitive interface, with a volume knob and tuning buttons for easy operation.

The voice-recognition system was impressive, though it occasionally provided unexpected results. The XC60 Recharge’s Google Built-in tech handled urgent requests and directions effectively, and it could operate climate system functions by voice. The optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system was sensational but expensive, with the Ultimate package’s Harman Kardon system likely sufficing for most users.

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, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist, which could bring the SUV to a full stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model’s improvements could enhance this rating.

The 2023 Volvo XC60, known for its safety, included Pilot Assist in the Ultimate trim, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering capability. Pilot Assist performed well on freeways, maintaining smooth and accurate control. The XC60 also featured Oncoming Lane Mitigation to avoid collisions with oncoming vehicles. The XC60 B5 and B6 mild-hybrids earned top marks from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for 2022, with the 2023 rating pending.