2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2024 Genesis GV80

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained its design from the previous year, with the most notable update being the addition of a complimentary five-year Car-Net Safe & Secure connected services plan for owners. Available in S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims, the Tiguan's price ranged from $26,950 to $37,680, excluding a $1,295 destination charge. The SEL R-Line trim, priced at $38,975 with destination, featured a sporty appearance with 20-inch machined-finish wheels and adaptive front lighting. Despite a variety of exterior and interior color options, choices were limited by trim level, restricting customization. The interior, while upscale with quality leather and digital instrumentation, had some materials that reflected its base price. Overall, the Tiguan's design was conservative yet gracefully aging.

In contrast, the 2024 Genesis GV80 offered a more luxurious experience, with options between the 2.5T and 3.5T models and trim levels including Standard, Advanced, Prestige, and Prestige Signature. Prices ranged from $57,700 to $81,750, plus a $1,350 destination charge. The Prestige Signature trim, priced at $84,600 with destination, featured exclusive exterior colors and 22-inch wheels. However, the wheel design was less visible due to the black paint. The interior was lavish, with Ultramarine Blue over Dune, diamond-stitched Nappa leather, and a suede headliner. Despite its luxury, the GV80's seats were less comfortable for long trips. The GV80's design clearly marked it as a luxury vehicle, though the Prestige trim was preferred over the Signature for its overall appeal.

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 an optional 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. The SEL R-Line trim included AWD as standard, offering various driving modes such as Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual. The Tiguan's fuel economy was rated at 24 mpg combined by the EPA, but real-world testing yielded 22.6 mpg. The turbo-four engine provided adequate power, though it struggled at higher revs and exhibited turbo lag from a stop. The Tiguan's dynamic qualities were commendable, with excellent tire grip and stable handling, though the brake pedal required more effort than expected. The ride was compliant, offering a good balance between road feel and comfort.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 2.5T featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, outperforming some rivals' V6 engines. The 3.5T model, tested here, boasted a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The GV80 offered five driving modes and 8.1 inches of ground clearance, with a towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds. The 3.5T model included upgraded brakes and adaptive damping suspension, delivering a rewarding driving experience with swift acceleration and commendable grip. However, the steering was unremarkable. The GV80's ride was luxurious yet communicative, though seat comfort was an issue on long trips.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a spacious interior, with FWD models featuring a standard third-row seat. However, the third row reduced cargo space, making AWD models more practical for cargo needs. The SEL R-Line trim had comfortable front seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. Storage space was generous, though the center armrest bin was small. The dashboard's touch-sensing controls were problematic, with poor ergonomics and usability. The Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with large rear door openings and ample legroom, headroom, and foot room. The hands-free power liftgate revealed a cavernous cargo area, with 37.6 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 3.5T Advanced was the only model with a third-row seat, while the Prestige Signature trim offered seating for four with second-row captain's chairs. The interior featured various leather options, heated front seats, and a power hands-free liftgate. The test vehicle included a panoramic glass roof, triple-zone climate control, and ventilated front seats with massage functions. However, the seats were uncomfortable for long trips, and second-row legroom was limited. The GV80 offered 34.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 84 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Prestige Signature's rear console height required caution when loading cargo.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured digital instrumentation, with an 8-inch display on most trims and a 10.25-inch display on the SEL R-Line. The larger display offered a sophisticated appearance and useful features like a full-panel navigation map. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a nine-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the system's user interface was complex, with multi-step processes for simple tasks. The voice-recognition system underperformed, likely due to inactive subscriptions, making it less useful for controlling features like climate settings.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument display on the Prestige and Prestige Signature trims, with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display standard across all models. The infotainment system included navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A Wi-Fi hotspot was available for the first time in 2024. The user interface was simple and intuitive, with a pleasing graphical display. The GV80 also featured a digital key system and a Lexicon premium sound system, with a head-up display on higher trims. The voice-recognition system was easy to use, enhancing the overall technology experience.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in safety features, offering tech often found in luxury models. Standard features included Front Assist with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, and Side Assist with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Automatic Post Collision Braking System helped avoid secondary impacts. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The Tiguan's safety technology was effective and user-friendly. However, crash-test ratings were incomplete, with concerns about the driver's door unlatching during a side-impact test. The IIHS awarded the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2022, but not for 2023.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 came with numerous advanced driving-assistance systems, including a Blind-Spot View Monitor, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and Highway Driving Assist. The Blind-Spot View Monitor displayed video feeds in the digital instrument panel, while the HUD showed blind-spot warnings. Highway Driving Assist worked well in light traffic but was less desirable in heavy traffic. The Remote Smart Parking Assist allowed the GV80 to park itself, even with the driver outside the vehicle. The GV80 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though frontal-impact tests earned four stars for driver and passenger positions.