2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness presented a rugged and adventurous aesthetic, distinguishing itself from the standard Outback models. It featured a higher ground clearance of 23 centimetres, aggressive all-terrain tires, and restyled bumpers that improved its approach and departure angles. The exterior was marked by a unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents, while the interior was dominated by dark grey and black tones with StarTex water-repellant upholstery. Despite its utilitarian design, the Outback Wilderness lacked ventilated seats, which could have enhanced comfort in warmer conditions.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained a more refined and sophisticated appearance, with a range of exterior colours and interior options. The R-Line trims, in particular, offered a sportier look with 20-inch wheels and adaptive front lighting. Inside, the Tiguan boasted quality leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and a well-constructed cabin. However, the touch-sensing controls on the dashboard and steering wheel were less user-friendly, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these quirks, the Tiguan's design aged gracefully, offering a blend of style and practicality.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided ample power for its 3,896-pound weight, with a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. However, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) was less engaging, with its characteristic droning and soft gear changes. The Outback Wilderness excelled off-road, thanks to its 23 cm ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and dual-function X-Mode traction system. It handled challenging terrains with ease, though its on-road performance was limited by the tires.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the Tiguan offered a smooth ride, though it lacked the power for quick acceleration. The 4Motion all-wheel-drive system provided good traction, with various driving modes for different conditions. While the Tiguan's powertrain had some quirks, such as turbo lag and delayed downshifts, its dynamic qualities were rewarding, offering stability and predictability in curves and corners.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness offered a spacious interior with dark grey StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but not ideal for hot weather. The front seats were heated and provided 10-way power adjustment for the driver. The rear seats offered generous head and legroom, with heated seats and USB charging ports. The cargo area measured 920 litres behind the rear seat and 2,144 litres with the seats folded, with a robust roof rack for additional storage.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with large rear door openings and a spacious back seat. The front seats were comfortable, with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. However, the dashboard's touch-sensing controls were less intuitive. The cargo area was cavernous, with 1,064 litres of space behind the second row and 2,078 litres with the seats folded. The hands-free power liftgate and adjustable load floor added to its practicality.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with integrated climate control. While it had physical knobs for volume and tuning, most functions required the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was limited, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better functionality. The lack of a premium audio system was a notable omission for this model.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan came with digital instrumentation, with R-Line trims featuring a 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system had an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a nine-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the user interface was complex, with multi-layer processes for simple tasks. The voice-recognition system was also limited, requiring a data connection for full functionality.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with the EyeSight suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. It also had steering-responsive LED headlights and a blind-spot warning system. The Outback Wilderness's safety technology was effective, though crash-test results were not available at the time of review.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including Front Assist, Side Assist, and an Automatic Post Collision Braking System. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and semi-autonomous driving assist. The Tiguan's safety technology was reliable, though crash-test ratings were incomplete. The IIHS gave it a Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2022, but this did not apply for 2023.