2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE was a vehicle that, despite its promise, did not quite deliver in terms of exterior aesthetics. Its design seemed to fall short of the elegance and precision seen in its competitors like the BMW X5 or the Volvo XC90. The GLE's exterior, with its aggressive nose and sloping hood, hinted at potential but ultimately felt unfinished past the A-pillar. The flat taillights and contoured rear attempted to counteract its minivan-like tendencies, but the overall look lacked the pitch-perfect proportions of its rivals. However, the interior was a different story. The 2021 GLE boasted a redesigned, streamlined interior that was a masterpiece of quality and design. The red and black interior was both bold and luxurious, surpassing even the offerings from Porsche or Audi. The use of materials like wood, metal, leather, and suede created a tactile delight, although some controls felt flimsy. The GLE exuded a sense of luxury, but it required significant options to truly feel opulent.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a more conservative yet timeless design. Its creased and symmetrical exterior was understated but aged gracefully, aligning with Volkswagen's larger models like the Atlas. The refreshed front styling, standard LED headlights, and redesigned aluminum wheels added a touch of modernity. Inside, the Tiguan Highline R-Line offered a rich cabin with leather upholstery, new technology, and ambient lighting. The interior was tastefully accented with metallic touches, although the lower half's hard plastic betrayed its mass-market status. The Tiguan's spacious interior, with its optional third row, provided ample room for passengers and cargo, making it a practical choice for families. The switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard added sophistication, though they proved challenging to use initially.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled as a versatile SUV, offering a range of advanced suspension and engine configurations. The base GLE 350 featured a reliable coil-sprung setup, while the GLE 450 and AMG models boasted sophisticated air suspensions with adaptive dampers and self-leveling capabilities. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe, with its electric supercharger, delivered quick throttle response, though not as exhilarating as expected. The GLE's hybrid system, EQ Boost, provided additional power and seamless engine start-stop functionality, though it did little for fuel efficiency. The GLE 350 produced 255 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, while the GLE 450 offered 362 hp and 369 lb-ft. The AMG GLE 53 reached 429 hp and 384 lb-ft, and the AMG GLE 63 S topped the range with 450 hp and 568 lb-ft. All GLE models featured 4MATIC AWD and impressive towing capacity of up to 3,500 kg. The driving experience was exceptional, with precise steering and remarkable ride quality, even in non-AMG models.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 184 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission and 4Motion AWD system provided power distribution to the rear wheels when needed, enhancing fuel efficiency. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, along with Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings. Despite its modest power output, the Tiguan delivered a pleasant driving experience, though turbo lag was noticeable during acceleration. The Tiguan's fuel efficiency was reasonable, with a combined rating of 9.8 L/100 km. The ride and handling were satisfactory for everyday driving, but the suspension and tires limited its performance when pushed. The Tiguan's MacPherson struts and multi-link rear suspension contributed to its nimble and responsive feel, though it lacked the excitement of more performance-oriented vehicles.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a spacious interior, with most models configured as two-row SUVs. An optional third row allowed seating for seven, with power controls for the second-row seats. The Coupe body style accommodated five passengers, though the rear space felt constrained due to the sloping roofline and narrow door openings. Cargo capacity was generous, with 630 litres behind the second row and 2,055 litres with all rows folded. The Coupe offered 655 litres and 1,790 litres, respectively. The GLE's usability improved with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring a touchpad and simplified interface. Seat controls, suspension settings, and driving mode shortcuts were easily accessible, though some steering wheel controls were less intuitive.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among compact crossovers with its spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. The Highline R-Line trim offered leather-wrapped, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation. The second row provided ample headroom and legroom, accommodating adults and children comfortably. The Tiguan's cargo space was impressive, with 1,064 litres behind the back seat and 2,078 litres with the rear seat folded. The optional third row reduced cargo capacity to 339 litres, but folding it down increased it to 934 litres. The Tiguan's switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard added sophistication, though they required acclimation. The panoramic sunroof and excellent outward visibility enhanced the cabin's airy feel.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a 12-inch touchscreen with Interior Assistant, allowing gesture control for shortcuts like seat massage activation. The system was intuitive, with search bars and larger type for easy navigation. The AMG models included a Track Pace app for lap timing and a Seat Kinetics feature for automatic seat adjustments. The GLE offered a range of luxury features, including heated armrests, ambient lighting with 64 colours, and a natural voice assistant. The navigation system projected front camera feeds with overlay arrows for directions. The GLE's semi-automated functionality included lane changes and curve slowing, making it a technologically advanced vehicle.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with digital gauges, with the Highline R-Line featuring a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro display. The MIB3 infotainment system, available on most trims, offered an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, and smartphone mirroring. The Highline R-Line included a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system. While VW touted natural voice recognition, it proved disappointing during testing. The Tiguan also offered Park Assist for autonomous parking and Travel Assist for adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance. Emergency Assist provided additional safety by slowing the vehicle if the driver became unresponsive.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It featured a range of safety and driver assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and evasive steering assist. The GLE's Pre-Safe Sound and Pre-Safe Impulse Side systems enhanced occupant protection in a crash. The brakes primed for sudden stops, and stability control compensated for crosswinds, ensuring a safe driving experience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard Front Assist and Side Assist for collision warning and blind-spot monitoring. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance, though its touch-sensing controls were challenging to use. Emergency Assist slowed the vehicle if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model's LED headlights and advanced driver aids aimed to improve its safety score.