2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Land Rover Defender

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was a standout in the SUV market, outselling its sibling, the Land Rover Discovery, by a significant margin. Its boxy design, reminiscent of the old LR4, appealed to customers who favored its classic Land Rover aesthetic over the Discovery's more Ford-like appearance. The Defender's design was characterized by its square-jawed face, rectangular hood, and doors, all set parallel to the ground, with a sharply chopped tail that defined its classic truck look. Tasteful nods to the original 1980s Defender, such as the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and the body-color square separating the side glass, added to its charm. The Defender was available in three body styles: the short two-door 90, the medium-length four-door 110, and the extended-length four-door 130, offering a range of choices unmatched by other SUVs.

Inside, the Defender prioritized function and durability over luxury, with an interior coated in moisture-wicking rubbers and plastics. Despite its high price, the interior was basic, with exposed screws and plain-looking air vents, maintaining the Defender's hardcore character. While the build quality and fit were excellent, the Defender's interior lacked the opulence of a Range Rover, making its high price tag feel excessive to some. However, its unique character and excellent build quality made it a popular choice, with around 20,000 units sold annually.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan, following updates in 2022, remained largely unchanged for 2023, with the notable addition of a complimentary five-year Car-Net Safe & Secure connected services plan. Available in S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims, the Tiguan's prices ranged from $26,950 to $37,680, plus a destination charge. The SEL R-Line trim, priced at $38,975, was favored for its sporty appearance and sizable 20-inch wheels. Despite its conservative design, the Tiguan aged gracefully, with adaptive front lighting and a light bar across the grille enhancing its appeal.

Inside, the Tiguan offered an upscale cabin with quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, and soft-touch materials. The SEL R-Line trim featured a panoramic sunroof and impressive digital instrumentation. However, the Tiguan's interior controls, particularly the touch-sensing steering wheel and climate controls, were criticized for their usability issues. Despite these quirks, the Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with generous legroom and headroom, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was renowned for its off-road prowess, with features like incredible wheel articulation, generous clearance, and a Terrain Response 2 system that adapted the vehicle's powertrain and chassis to various surfaces. Its permanent four-wheel drive and differential locking capabilities made it a formidable off-road vehicle. However, on-road performance was less impressive, with excessive body roll, slow steering, and noticeable wind noise. The Defender's engine options included a turbocharged inline-six and a supercharged V8, with the latter delivering 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. The V8's performance was exhilarating, though its fuel economy was poor, rated at 14/19/16 mpg. The six-cylinder engine, part of a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain, offered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, providing a balance of performance and efficiency.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system available. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with an Individual mode for customized settings. The SEL R-Line trim included AWD as standard, with additional driving modes for various conditions. The Tiguan's fuel economy was rated at 24 mpg combined, though real-world testing yielded 22.6 mpg. While the Tiguan's powertrain wasn't the most powerful, its dynamic qualities were rewarding, with excellent tire grip and stable handling. The Tiguan's ride was compliant, providing a comfortable driving experience, though road noise was noticeable.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled in versatility, offering unmatched seating configurations. The Defender 90 could seat six with an optional jump seat, while the 110 offered an optional third row, and the 130 had a standard third row for up to eight seats. The Defender's large glass areas and optional panoramic moonroof provided excellent visibility. Cargo space varied by model, with the 130 offering 77 cubic feet with seats folded, while the 90 and 110 offered 58 and 79 cubic feet, respectively. The Defender's off-road capabilities were complemented by features like a metal roof rack, console refrigerator, and power-deployable side steps.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a roomy interior, with FWD models featuring a standard third-row seat. The SEL R-Line trim had comfortable front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. However, the dashboard's touch-sensing controls were criticized for their usability. The Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with generous rear legroom and a cavernous cargo area. AWD models offered 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 73.4 cubic feet with seats folded, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software. The standard 10-inch screen was integrated into the dashboard, while the optional 11.4-inch screen offered greater legibility. Both screens supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, and navigation. The Defender S trim added heated power seats and a Meridian stereo, while higher trims offered features like air suspension, adaptive cruise control, and a head-up display.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line trim offering a larger 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a Fender premium sound system. However, the system's user interface was criticized for its complexity, with multi-layer processes required for simple tasks. The voice-recognition system also underperformed, often failing to connect.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. safety organizations but received a five-star rating from Euro NCAP. It featured six airbags, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included a digital instrument panel, head-up display, and 360-degree camera system.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in safety features, with standard Front Assist and Side Assist, including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and semi-autonomous driving assist. The Tiguan's safety technology was praised for its effectiveness, though its crash-test ratings were incomplete at the time of review.