2024 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition, or 40 ASE, was based on the SR5 Premium trim level and added a distinctive flair with its retro body stripes, heritage grille design, and bronze accents. This special edition was available only in black, white, or red paint with a black artificial leather interior. The 40 ASE had a strong Southern California vibe, reminiscent of the 1970s, with its groovy stripes and bronze wheels. Despite its age, the fifth-generation 4Runner maintained an enduring appeal with its truck-based SUV look and stance. Inside, the 4Runner was purposeful, with solid-feeling plastic and idiot-proof controls that were easy to use, even with gloves on.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a more premium appearance compared to its non-European rivals, thanks to its sleek design and standard LED headlights and taillights. The SEL R-Line trim, which was tested, featured an illuminated grille light line and silver roof rails, adding to its stylish exterior. The Tiguan's base trim was limited to grayscale colors, while higher trims offered more color options, albeit with some restrictions. The interior of the Tiguan was well-appointed, with heated front seats and cloth seating surfaces on the base trim, while higher trims offered leatherette or real leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof. The SEL R-Line trim added front-seat ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and three-position driver’s seat memory.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine that produced 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. It came with a five-speed automatic transmission, sending power to the rear wheels unless upgraded to a 4WD system. The 4Runner had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and offered two 4WD systems: a part-time 4WD and a full-time 4WD available on the Limited trim. Despite its off-road prowess, the 4Runner's EPA fuel economy rating was 17 mpg in combined driving, with an average of 16.9 mpg during testing. The 4Runner excelled in off-road conditions, with features like Hill-Start Assist Control, Downhill Assist Control, and Active Traction Control. However, on-road performance was less impressive, with leisurely acceleration, heavy steering, and a brake pedal that lacked finesse.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive as standard and Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive available for an additional cost. The AWD system slightly reduced fuel economy, with the base Tiguan S achieving 25 mpg combined. The Tiguan's power delivery was inconsistent, with turbo and transmission lag in some scenarios. The steering was light but rubbery, and the brake pedal had excessive travel. Despite these issues, the Tiguan offered good visibility and handling, making it feel more maneuverable than expected for its size.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured a unique power-down back window, providing excellent ventilation when combined with the sunroof and automatic windows. The interior offered comfortable seats, with SofTex artificial leather and heated front cushions in the 40 ASE trim. Storage was ample, though some lacked rubber liners, causing items to slide and rattle. The second-row seating was spacious, with good legroom and headroom, while the optional third-row seat was cramped and reduced cargo space. Without the third row, the 4Runner offered 46.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan's top-trim test car had firm seats in both rows, with the AWD models seating five instead of seven. The two-row Tiguan provided 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The three-row configuration reduced cargo space but maintained passenger space in the first two rows. The Tiguan offered 39.6 inches of headroom and 40.2 inches of legroom for front passengers, with slightly reduced space in the second row. The third row was tight, with limited headroom and legroom, but the Tiguan remained one of the few compact crossovers to offer a third row.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured traditional analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system was user-friendly, with large knobs and buttons suitable for gloved use. Upgrades included a navigation system and a JBL premium sound system. The voice recognition system performed well, though it struggled with some commands. Despite its dated graphics, the infotainment system was functional and reliable.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan's infotainment system featured haptic touch slider buttons for climate control, which were responsive and easy to use. The system relied on monochromatic graphics, accessed through an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base Tiguan S had a smaller 6.5-inch screen and fewer USB-C ports. Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit System was standard, with the SEL R-Line trim offering a fully configurable 10.25-inch display. The nine-speaker Fender Premium Audio System was a highlight, providing excellent sound quality.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all trims. The adaptive cruise control performed well, though the lane-departure warning was intrusive. The 4Runner received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with lower ratings for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it a Marginal rating for driver protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, and its safety features improved for 2024 with the standard IQ.DRIVE suite. This included adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. Additional features included rain-sensing wipers, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning with pedestrian detection. Park Distance Control was standard on higher trims, though its Maneuver Braking feature was intrusive.