2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Subaru Forester was available in several trims, including the base, Convenience, Touring, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Premier. Prices started at $29,495 MSRP for the base model, with the Premier trim reaching $40,595. An additional destination charge of $1,800 applied, and Subaru offered a variety of dealer-installed accessories. All-wheel drive was standard across all models. The Forester Wilderness, new for 2022, featured white paint and a dark grey interior with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, priced at $38,995, including destination. The Wilderness model had a rugged appearance with a suspension lift, higher ride height, and extensive protective cladding, giving it a distinctive look. Inside, the Forester emphasized functionality with a mix of hard plastic and soft surfaces, creating a cabin that felt well-constructed but somewhat dated. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, though the presence of three display screens was less than ideal.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan, following updates in 2022, remained largely unchanged. In Canada, it was offered in Trendline, Comfortline, Comfortline R-Line Black, and Highline R-Line trims, with prices ranging from $36,675 to $47,175, plus a $2,050 destination charge. The test vehicle, equivalent to the Canadian Highline R-Line trim, featured Atlantic Blue paint and Storm Grey leather seats. The Tiguan's design was conservative yet aging gracefully, with sporty R-Line styling and 20-inch machined-finish wheels. Standard features included keyless entry, remote start, and an 8-way power driver's seat. The interior, though upscale, had some materials reminding of its mid-$30,000s base price. The cabin was equipped with quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, exuding a sense of robust construction.

The 2022 Subaru Forester was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive, with the Wilderness model offering a 25% increase in initial torque supply. This allowed the Wilderness to double its towing capacity to 1,360 kilograms. Fuel consumption was rated at 9.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with the test vehicle averaging 9.1 L/100 km. The Forester's engine was adequate near sea level but felt sluggish at higher altitudes. The CVT had eight programmed ratios, and the Wilderness model included SI-Drive for a more responsive powertrain. The dual-function X-Mode system offered various settings for different surfaces, and the re-tuned suspension improved ride and handling. The Wilderness model excelled off-road, with a long-travel suspension and all-terrain tires enhancing its capabilities.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system was standard. Drivers could choose between Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with an Individual mode for customization. The Tiguan's fuel economy was rated at 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres, with the test vehicle averaging 10.4 L/100 km. The turbo-four engine provided adequate power, but the automatic transmission occasionally stumbled with delayed downshifts. The Tiguan's dynamic qualities were rewarding, with light and lively steering, excellent tire grip, and a stable feel in curves. The ride was compliant, absorbing road imperfections without causing unwanted body motions. Road noise was present, and an odd resonance was noted on a familiar test route. The Tiguan offered excellent visibility and was easy to park, aided by a surround-view camera and parking sensors.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, with easy entry and exit due to tall seating hip points. The StarTex upholstery was water-resistant, and the Wilderness model included all-weather floor mats and a rubber cargo mat. The upgraded roof rails accommodated a dynamic load of 100 kilograms and a static load of 362 kilograms, suitable for a three-person roof tent. The Forester offered high comfort levels, with ample space in both front and rear seats. Storage space was decent, with various bins and holders throughout the cabin. Cargo space measured 818 litres without the panoramic sunroof and 762 litres with it, expanding to 2,101 litres with the rear seats folded. The squared-off cargo area was usefully shaped, and the Wilderness model included a full-size spare tire.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a roomy interior, with some configurations featuring a standard third-row seat. The test vehicle had comfortable front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. Storage space was generous, though the bin under the centre armrest was small. The dashboard had questionable ergonomics, with touch-sensing controls that were difficult to use. The Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with large rear door openings and a spacious back seat. The cargo area was cavernous, with an adjustable load floor and handy features like levers for folding the seats. With all-wheel drive, the Tiguan held 1,064 litres of cargo behind the second row and 2,078 litres behind the front seats.

The 2022 Subaru Forester included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and Starlink connected services. Higher trims featured an 8-inch screen with available navigation and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Wilderness model included a 180-degree forward-view camera. The test vehicle had navigation and the Harman Kardon audio system, though these were not available on the Wilderness trim in Canada. The voice recognition system was hit-and-miss in effectiveness.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured digital instrumentation, with R-Line trims offering a larger 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system had a touchscreen display, with lower trims using a 6.5-inch screen and higher trims an 8-inch screen. The test vehicle included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, Car-Net connected services, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a nine-speaker Fender premium sound system. The system's user interface was complex, with multi-layer processes for simple tasks. The voice-recognition system underperformed, likely due to inactive subscriptions.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the EyeSight 4.0 safety system, with a wider field of vision and improved accuracy. It included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. The Forester also featured a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. Limited and Premier trims included DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology. The Forester earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain the IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" rating.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered comprehensive safety features, including Front Assist with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, and Side Assist with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The Tiguan's safety technology worked well, with few false alerts. However, the NHTSA's crash-test ratings were incomplete, and the driver's door unlatched during a side-impact test. The IIHS gave the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2022, but this did not apply for 2023.