Ford Edge vs Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among its competitors with a design that was both conservative and timeless. Its refreshed front styling aligned it with Volkswagen’s larger Atlas models, featuring a new grille with the updated VW logo and standard LED headlights. The SUV came in various trims, including the sporty R-Line models, and offered a range of paint colors and redesigned aluminum wheels. Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line boasted a luxurious cabin with leather upholstery, new technology, and ambient lighting, although the lower half of the cabin revealed its mass-market status with hard plastic materials.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Edge retained much of its styling from the 2019 refresh, which successfully integrated Ford’s current design language. The Edge Titanium featured chrome accents, while the ST trim sported a blacked-out grille and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Edge’s design felt dated, despite attempts to modernize it with a larger touchscreen. The Titanium offered leather upholstery, and the ST had sporty seats with contrast stitching. However, the interior struggled to keep up with the exterior’s clean look.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan continued with its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This power was managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission, with options for front-wheel drive or VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive. The Tiguan offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, as well as Offroad settings for the 4Motion system. Despite its enjoyable drive, the Tiguan’s engine exhibited some turbo lag, and its fuel economy was modest at 24 mpg combined.

The 2021 Ford Edge offered a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Edge ST performance model featured a twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6, producing 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, with standard all-wheel drive and sport-tuned suspension. The Edge’s towing capacity varied, with the V6-powered ST capable of towing up to 4,525 pounds. While the Edge ST aimed to compete with performance SUVs, it fell short of the Porsche Macan but still provided a refined driving experience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It featured a standard third-row seat in front-wheel-drive models, while 4Motion models did not. The SEL R-Line trim provided exceptional comfort with leather seats, power adjustments, and a panoramic sunroof. The second row was roomy enough for adults and children, with rear air conditioning vents and USB ports. Cargo space was generous, with up to 73.4 cubic feet available in 4Motion models.

The 2021 Ford Edge excelled in rear-seat headroom and legroom, offering competitive interior space among two-row midsize crossovers. It provided 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 73.4 cubic feet with them folded. The Edge’s center console featured a rotary shift knob, freeing up space but still offering average storage. Higher trims included a foot-activated power liftgate for added convenience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line featuring a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available in all but the base trim, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, and smartphone mirroring. However, the natural voice recognition feature required an additional subscription. The Tiguan also offered a Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2021 Ford Edge featured the latest Sync 4 infotainment system with a 12-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Standard tech included Bluetooth, SiriusXM with 360L, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Edge ST added a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Edge’s user-friendly interface and straightforward menu layouts made it easy to use.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard Front Assist and Side Assist, with significant upgrades to its IQ Drive system. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, while Emergency Assist could bring the vehicle to a stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model aimed to improve with new LED headlights and advanced driver aids.

The 2021 Ford Edge also earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included Ford Co-Pilot360, with adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims added Evasive Steering Assist for enhanced safety.