2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia, a continuation of its second generation, showcased a mature design that had remained largely unchanged since its last major overhaul in 2008. Despite its age, the Sequoia maintained a classic exterior with a modestly sized grille, elegant wheel arches, and straight body lines, giving it a substantial presence. Its dimensions were impressive, standing 1,956 millimetres tall, 2,030 mm wide, and 5,210 mm long, with a wheelbase of 3,099 mm. The SUV's interior, however, felt dated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen that seemed out of place in a market dominated by larger digital displays. Nevertheless, the Sequoia's interior was built with high-quality materials, ensuring durability and comfort for families.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan, following updates in 2022, continued with minimal changes. It was available in various trims, including the sportier R-Line versions. The Tiguan offered a range of exterior and interior colour options, though choices were limited by trim level. Our test vehicle featured Atlantic Blue paint and Storm Grey leather seats, a combination not available in Canada unless opting for the Highline R-Line trim. The Tiguan's design was conservatively drawn but aging gracefully, with features like adaptive front lighting and a light bar across the grille. Inside, the Tiguan boasted an upscale look with quality leather upholstery, digital instrumentation, and a panoramic sunroof, though some materials reminded us of its mid-$30,000s starting price.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a 5.7-litre i-Force V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, a lockable Torsen limited-slip centre differential, and a two-speed transfer case in 4WD models. The Sequoia's truck roots contributed to its impressive payload capacity of up to 608 kilograms and a maximum towing capacity of 3,221 kilograms. However, its weight of nearly 2,721.5 kilograms resulted in fuel consumption ratings of 18.5 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 13.9 on the highway, and 16.4 combined. Despite its heft, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent off-road capabilities thanks to its body-on-frame construction and four-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured 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 Tiguan came standard with VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, offering various driving modes for different conditions. The Tiguan's fuel economy was rated at 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, though our testing loop yielded 10.4 L/100 km. While the Tiguan's powertrain wasn't the most powerful in its segment, it provided a rewarding driving experience with light and lively steering, excellent tire grip, and a stable feel in curves. However, the brake pedal required more effort than expected, and the automatic transmission occasionally stumbled with delayed downshifts.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia excelled in passenger comfort, offering spacious seating across all three rows with ample headroom and legroom. It featured three-zone climate control, a power moonroof, and heated front seats as standard. The Sequoia's cargo compartment was versatile, with 535 litres of space behind the third row, expanding to 1,886 litres with the third row folded, and a massive 3,401 litres with both the second and third rows flat. Storage options included a generous centre console, glove compartment, and door pockets, making it ideal for families.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan also prioritized passenger and cargo space, with certain configurations offering a third-row seat. However, opting for the third row reduced cargo capacity. Our test vehicle featured comfortable front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, along with a heated steering wheel. The Tiguan's rear seat offered generous legroom, headroom, and foot room, with air conditioning vents, cupholders, and a USB charging port. The cargo area was spacious, accommodating 1,064 litres behind the second row and 2,078 litres with the rear seats folded, thanks to its adjustable load floor and handy storage features.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's infotainment system felt outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility were standard, the system's clunky operation was a drawback. The Sequoia Platinum and TRD Pro trims added navigation and a 14-speaker JBL premium audio system. Despite its technological shortcomings, the Sequoia featured LED exterior lighting and standard safety features like a rear backup camera and parking sonar.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered digital instrumentation, with R-Line trims featuring a larger 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a nine-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the system's user interface introduced unnecessary complexity, with multi-layer processes for simple tasks. The Tiguan's voice-recognition system also fell short of expectations, often failing to connect.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia lacked crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, but it was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense P suite, including pre-collision systems, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The Sequoia also featured a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and Toyota's STAR safety system, which included stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in safety features, offering standard Front Assist and Side Assist, with forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and semi-autonomous driving assist. The Tiguan's safety technology was effective and unobtrusive, though its crash-test ratings were incomplete, with concerns about the driver's door unlatching during side-impact tests. The IIHS awarded the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2022, but this did not apply for 2023.