2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Acura MDX

The 2022 Acura MDX was a standout in the three-row luxury crossover SUV category, offering a spacious interior that belied its compact exterior dimensions. Built on a new dedicated platform, the MDX featured a longer wheelbase, wider body, and an increased dash-to-axle distance, enhancing its elegant appearance. The exterior design was modern and sporty, highlighted by standard Jewel Eye LED headlights and larger wheels. Inside, the MDX boasted a refined cabin with authentic materials like natural wood and real leather, complemented by high-quality plastics. The dashboard design emphasized cabin width, and the unique gear selection controls added a touch of sophistication. The MDX's interior was both comfortable and functional, with a focus on quality craftsmanship.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained a conservative yet gracefully aging design, with sporty R-Line trims offering a more dynamic appearance. The Tiguan's exterior was available in various colours and wheel designs, though choices were limited by trim level. Inside, the Tiguan's cabin was upscale, featuring quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, and soft-touch materials. The digital instrumentation and panoramic sunroof added to the vehicle's appeal. However, some interior controls, like the touch-sensing steering wheel and climate controls, were less user-friendly. Despite these quirks, the Tiguan's interior was spacious, with generous rear-seat legroom and a sizable cargo area, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Acura MDX was powered by a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. It featured a new 10-speed automatic transmission and Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) as standard in Canada. The SH-AWD system offered torque vectoring, enhancing cornering feel and control. The MDX's suspension was upgraded with a double-wishbone setup at the front and revised rear multi-link suspension, improving ride quality and sporty handling. The vehicle's overall stiffness and rigidity were significantly improved, resulting in a solid ride feel. The MDX offered five drive modes, allowing drivers to tailor performance to their preferences. During test drives, the MDX impressed with its handling and performance, standing out among competitors like the Lexus RX L and Volvo XC90.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. It came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Motion all-wheel drive in Canada. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with an Individual mode for customized settings. The AWD system could send up to 50% of power to the rear wheels. The Tiguan's fuel economy was rated at 9.8 L/100 km, though testing showed 10.4 L/100 km. While the powertrain had some quirks, such as turbo lag and delayed downshifts, the Tiguan's dynamic qualities were rewarding, with excellent tire grip and stable handling. The vehicle provided a comfortable ride, with good road feel and compliance.

The 2022 Acura MDX excelled as a versatile three-row SUV, offering comfortable seating for the first two rows and a flexible second row with a removable centre section. The second row could slide and recline, providing balanced legroom for passengers. The third row was best suited for smaller passengers, but the MDX's seating capacity was appreciated for family use. The vehicle offered between 461 and 512 litres of luggage space behind the third row, with additional underfloor storage. Folding the third row expanded cargo capacity to between 1,107 and 1,367 litres, and folding the second row created a vast space of up to 2,690 litres. The MDX featured a power tailgate with convenient features like Walk Away Close and Hands-Free Access, along with customizable interior lighting.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a roomy interior, with some configurations including a third-row seat. However, the third row reduced cargo space, so opting for a two-row model provided one of the largest cargo areas in the compact SUV class. The front seats were comfortable, with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The dashboard's touch-sensing controls were less user-friendly, but the Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space. The rear seat offered generous legroom, headroom, and foot room, with amenities like air conditioning vents and USB charging. The hands-free power liftgate revealed a spacious cargo area with adjustable load floor height and convenient storage features. The Tiguan's AWD models offered 1,064 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 2,078 litres behind the front seats.

The 2022 Acura MDX was packed with tech features, including the ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio System with 16 speakers and 710 watts of amplification. Navigation was standard on higher trims, and all models featured a 12.3-inch infotainment system and Acura Precision Cockpit digital instrument panel. The MDX included Amazon Alexa integration, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Qi-compatible wireless charging. A CabinTalk feature acted as an interior PA system, and a head-up display was available on the top trim. The MDX also offered a WiFi hotspot and over-the-air software updates.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured digital instrumentation, with R-Line trims offering a larger 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system varied by trim, with an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and a Fender premium sound system. However, the user interface was complex, with multi-layer processes for simple tasks. The Tiguan's voice-recognition system was not fully functional in the test vehicle, limiting its usefulness. Despite these challenges, the Tiguan offered a range of tech features, including Car-Net connected services and SiriusXM satellite radio.

The 2022 Acura MDX received a "Top Safety Pick +" rating from the IIHS, with top marks in every category. The MDX was engineered with a higher percentage of high-strength steel and an advanced safety structure. It featured a low-speed braking control system, collision mitigation throttle control, and the AcuraWatch suite of safety features, including collision mitigation emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including Front Assist with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, and Side Assist with blind-spot monitoring. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more. The Tiguan's safety technology was effective and user-friendly, though crash-test ratings were incomplete at the time of review. The IIHS had previously given the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick+ rating, but this did not apply for the 2023 calendar year.