2023 Jeep Wrangler vs 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler carried forward its iconic design with a fourth-generation JL model that looked like a rugged box on wheels. With no curves in sight, it emphasized a robust, adventurous aesthetic. Buyers had the option between a two-door or four-door Unlimited version, both of which offered removable doors. For those preferring some shielding while enjoying the great outdoors, the Dual-Door Group added half-doors for a mix of exposure and safety. Impressively unique, the windshield folded down for an exhilarating open-air experience, complemented by multiple top options.

Each Wrangler came equipped with broad fenders, an American flag on the front ones, a seven-slot grille, round headlights, and traditional hood latches. The tailgate swung out with the rear glass lifting for easy cargo access. Our test model sported the dazzling Reign limited-edition purple paint, a first for the JL, alongside the new Earl color—a subtle gray with a hint of aquamarine.

Inside, practicality reigned supreme with easy-to-clean floor mats and straightforward, linear designs. While ambient lighting and massaging seats were absent, something you might find on a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, the Wrangler embraced functionality with a body-colored dash, chunky HVAC controls, and a sturdy manual transfer case shifter.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan's exterior maintained its sophisticated, updated look from 2022, entering 2023 with minimal changes. Volkswagen’s trims—S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line—offered varying levels of sportiness at prices ranging from $26,950 to $37,680, plus a $1,295 destination charge. Our SEL R-Line tester reached an MSRP of $38,975.

The Tiguan offered a palette of seven exterior colors, four interior combinations, four wheel designs (17 to 20 inches), and three types of upholstery, though options were restricted by trim levels. Our model came in Atlantic Blue with Storm Gray leather, though pairings like Noisette with Atlantic Blue were unavailable. Despite such constraints, the SEL R-Line’s sporty 20-inch wheels, adaptive lighting, and illuminated grille light bar ensured it looked much pricier.

Inside, the Tiguan was upscale yet showed its affordable roots in some materials. The cabin featured high-quality leather upholstery, faux wood accents, soft-touch materials, a panoramic sunroof, and excellent digital instrumentation.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler excelled off-road, equipped with solid axles and optional differential lockers. Engine choices spanned a range of power specs to suit various adventures. The standard V6 delivered 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder offered 270 hp and 295 lb-ft. Both engines paired with an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission.

Torque enthusiasts leaned toward the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6, boasting 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. For an exciting, albeit gas-thirsty, ride, the Wrangler Rubicon 392 packed a 6.4-liter V8 with 470 hp and equal torque. The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid promised a cleaner twist on off-roading with two electric motors, a 17.3 kWh battery pack, and 21 miles of electric range. Our 392 tester showcased full-time 4WD, massive 35-inch BFGoodrich KO2 All-Terrain tires, and a special Off-Road Plus mode that propelled it from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. However, braking and steering felt compromised, with no brake upgrade for the powerful V8 and vague steering input.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 184 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, but the 4Motion AWD system was available. The SEL R-Line trim included AWD as a standard feature, offering different driving modes including Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad.

EPA ratings suggested the Tiguan SEL R-Line could achieve 24 mpg combined, though our test saw 22.6 mpg. The turbo-four provided adequate power, with some turbo lag and a transmission prone to delayed downshifts, particularly noticeable when passing or accelerating from a stop.

Dynamically, the Tiguan impressed with excellent tire grip, light steering, and stable handling through curves and corners. The ride feel was balanced, avoiding the extremes of firmness and body motion. However, the brake pedal required more effort and precision.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's front seats were comfortable, though without heated or ventilated options unless opting for the 392 or a cold-weather package. Rear seating in four-door models was cramped, with limited and hard-to-access rear doors. Small-item storage was sparse, with little space on the flat dash and tiny glove and center consoles. Cargo space was 72.4 cubic feet with rear seats folded, slightly less than competitors like the Bronco.

Removing the hard or soft tops provided various open-air configurations, with options like the Sky One-Touch power soft top offering ease combined with limitations. Charging points included USB-A and USB-C ports front and rear, multiple 12-volt outlets, and a 115-volt outlet.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan boasted notable interior space, especially in models without the third-row seat. Our SEL R-Line had plush, adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, plus a heated steering wheel. Storage was generous apart from the small bin under the center armrest, marred only by the awkward touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel and climate system.

The Tiguan excelled in passenger space with large rear door openings, ample legroom, headroom, and foot room. Rear-seat amenities included air conditioning vents, cupholders, and a USB port. The cargo area, particularly in AWD models sans third-row seats, was vast—37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 73.4 cubic feet total.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler featured the Uconnect infotainment system with a standard 7-inch or optional 8.4-inch touchscreen. The interface seemed overloaded but proved user-friendly with features like off-road pages displaying power distribution, oil pressure, and GPS data. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were seamless, with a forward-facing camera and auxiliary switches for added functionality. Over-the-air updates were limited to the infotainment system rather than vehicle performance.

For the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan, digital instrumentation came standard with an 8-inch display on most trims, upgraded to 10.25 inches on the SEL R-Line. An intuitive array of data and navigation alerts ensured top-tier user experience. The central infotainment screen varied between 6.5 inches on base models and 8 inches on higher trims, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Car-Net services, and a premium Fender sound system.

Yet, user-friendly appearances disguised complexity, requiring multiple steps for basic operations such as changing the radio station or adjusting safety settings. Navigation display toggling added to the minor inconveniences, and voice recognition performance proved underwhelming.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler fell short on standard safety features, offering only a rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control. Advanced features like blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control were standard only on the top 392 model and optional otherwise. The Wrangler hadn’t received lane-keeping assist yet. User-defined settings for available features enhanced personal safety preferences.

The IIHS gave mixed ratings, with some aspects deemed Good while others were Marginal. The NHTSA’s ratings were moderate: four out of five stars for frontal crash tests and three for rollover, with side crash tests pending.

In comparison, the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in safety, combining standard features like forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert with the Automatic Post Collision Braking System. The optional IQ.Drive package offered advanced functionalities such as adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and semi-autonomous Travel Assist.

Though NHTSA testing wasn’t complete, issues like the driver’s door unlatched during side-impact tests were concerning. The IIHS awarded the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2022; updated ratings for 2023 were awaited.