2022 Acura MDX vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet timeless design, characterized by its creased and symmetrical styling. This approach, while not overly emotive, appealed to those who appreciated simplicity and minimalism. The refreshed front styling aligned the Tiguan with Volkswagen’s larger models, featuring a restyled grille with the new VW logo and standard LED headlights. The interior of the Tiguan Highline R-Line was upscale, with perforated leather upholstery and ambient lighting options, though the lower half of the cabin revealed its mass-market roots with hard plastics. The R-Line models offered a sportier look, and the Comfortline R-Line Black Edition added a trendy blacked-out appearance.

In contrast, the 2022 Acura MDX was built on a new dedicated platform, offering a sportier and more assertive exterior design. The MDX featured a longer wheelbase, wider body, and increased dash-to-axle distance, enhancing its elegant appearance. The Jewel Eye LED headlights and larger wheels contributed to its modern look. Inside, the MDX boasted a spacious cabin with authentic materials like natural wood and genuine leather, complemented by high-quality plastics. The dashboard design emphasized cabin width, and the unique gear selection added a touch of sophistication. The MDX's interior was both stylish and functional, with a focus on comfort and quality.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The power was managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission and VW’s 4Motion AWD system, which could decouple the rear axle to save fuel. The Tiguan offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, along with Offroad settings. Despite its nimble handling, the Tiguan's performance was somewhat limited by its engine, resulting in a combined fuel efficiency of 9.8 L/100 km. The Tiguan's ride was comfortable, but pushing it to its limits revealed its shortcomings in terms of outright fun.

The 2022 Acura MDX, on the other hand, featured a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. The new 10-speed automatic transmission worked seamlessly with the engine, enhancing performance with the SH-AWD system. This system allowed for torque vectoring, improving cornering feel and control. The MDX's suspension upgrades, including a double-wishbone front setup, contributed to its sporty handling and improved ride quality. The MDX's overall stiffness and rigidity were significantly enhanced, providing a solid and confident driving experience. The Integrated Dynamics System offered five drive modes, allowing drivers to tailor the vehicle's performance to their preferences.

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, making it comfortable for adults and children alike. The Tiguan's cargo space was impressive, with up to 2,078 litres available in the two-row configuration. However, the touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard were less intuitive, potentially distracting drivers.

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 third row was best suited for smaller passengers, but the sliding rows allowed for adaptable cargo capacity. The MDX's power tailgate featured convenient functions like "Walk Away Close" and Hands-Free Access. Interior lighting was customizable, with 27 themes available to suit different moods. The MDX's interior was both practical and luxurious, catering to various needs.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with standard digital gauges, with the Highline R-Line featuring a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. 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. However, the natural voice recognition feature was underwhelming, and the Park Assist system was standard on the Highline R-Line.

The 2022 Acura MDX boasted an impressive array of tech features, including the ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio System with 16 speakers and 710 watts of amplification. The 12.3-inch infotainment system and Acura Precision Cockpit digital instrument panel were standard across all trims. Amazon Alexa integration, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Qi-compatible wireless charging were also included. The MDX offered a head-up display on the Platinum Elite trim and a surround-view camera system. The CabinTalk feature acted as an interior PA system, enhancing communication within the vehicle.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard safety systems like Front Assist and Side Assist. Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance, was available, though its touch-sensing controls were challenging to use. Emergency Assist was another notable feature, capable of bringing the vehicle to a stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model aimed to improve on this with its advanced driver aids.

The 2022 Acura MDX received a "Top Safety Pick +" rating from the IIHS, with top marks in every category. The MDX's advanced safety structure and increased use of high-strength steel contributed to its excellent safety performance. The front-end redesign focused on pedestrian safety, with features like low-speed braking control and collision mitigation throttle control. The AcuraWatch suite of safety features was standard, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind spot monitoring.