2022 Ford Expedition vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet appealing design, distinguishing itself from its often less attractive competitors. Its refreshed exterior featured a new front styling that aligned with Volkswagen’s larger models, including a restyled grille with the new VW logo and standard LED headlights. The Tiguan offered four trim levels in Canada, all with standard 4Motion AWD, and prices ranged from $33,395 to $43,395. The R-Line models, particularly the Highline R-Line, boasted a sportier look with options like Atlantic Blue Metallic paint and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Tiguan Highline R-Line featured a sophisticated cabin with leather upholstery, touch-sensing controls, and ambient lighting, though the lower half's hard plastic hinted at its mass-market status.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Expedition underwent significant updates, including exterior styling revisions and enhanced infotainment technology. The SUV featured a new grille, headlights, and bumper, with redesigned wheels across the lineup. In Canada, the Expedition came standard with 4WD and was available in XLT, Limited, and Platinum trims, with prices ranging from just under $70,000 to over $95,000. The Timberline trim catered to off-road enthusiasts with all-terrain tires and suspension modifications. Inside, the Expedition boasted a redesigned dashboard with Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems, offering a 15.5-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The Limited Stealth Edition featured leather seats and a 12.4-inch digital display, though some plastic trim detracted from its premium feel.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,900 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission paired with VW’s 4Motion AWD system, which could decouple the rear axle to save fuel. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, along with Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings. Despite its 19 centimetres of ground clearance, the Tiguan was best suited for well-traveled paths. The engine's torque arrived later than some competitors, resulting in slight turbo lag. Fuel efficiency was rated at 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with our test achieving 9.5 L/100 km.

The 2022 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 380 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. A 10-speed automatic transmission facilitated power delivery, with fuel economy ranging from 12.9 to 13.9 litres per 100 kilometres. The Expedition could tow up to 4,173 kg when properly equipped. The V6's power was addictive, though it consumed more fuel when pushed. The Expedition's driving dynamics were generally smooth, but the Stealth Edition's sport-tuned suspension and 22-inch wheels contributed to a harsher ride. Despite its size, the Expedition was easy to park, thanks to excellent visibility and parking aids.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among compact crossovers for its spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. The Highline R-Line offered comfortable leather seats with power adjustments and excellent visibility. The second row provided ample headroom and legroom, accommodating adults and children alike. Cargo space was generous, with 1,064 litres behind the back seat and a maximum of 2,078 litres with seats folded. However, the optional third row compromised cargo capacity, offering just 339 litres behind it.

The 2022 Ford Expedition excelled in comfort, with easy access via electric running boards. The interior offered ample space for passengers, with power-adjustable, leather-wrapped front seats and a heated steering wheel. The second row featured heated captain’s chairs with climate controls and cupholders. The third row was easy to access and provided good leg support, though headroom was limited for taller passengers. Cargo space measured 546 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,627 litres with it folded, and 2,961 litres with both rear rows down. The Expedition Max offered even more cargo capacity.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with standard digital gauges, with the Highline R-Line featuring a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro. The MIB3 infotainment system, available on most trims, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, and a nine-speaker Fender audio system. However, the natural voice recognition was disappointing, and users were better off using smartphone mirroring features. The Tiguan also offered a Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2022 Ford Expedition featured Ford’s Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems, with the latter offering a 15.5-inch touchscreen. Both systems included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and a connected navigation system. Higher trims added wireless charging and premium Bang & Olufsen sound systems. Sync 4A had some quirks, such as accidental activation of the defroster and issues with voice recognition. The Expedition also offered a dual-touchscreen rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV and Pro Trailer Backup Assist 2.0 for easier trailer reversing.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard safety features like Front Assist and Side Assist. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance, though the touch-sensing controls were challenging to use. Emergency Assist could bring the SUV to a stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model's improvements could enhance its score.

The 2022 Ford Expedition offered three Ford Co-Pilot360 packages. The standard package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added adaptive cruise control and intersection assist, while Co-Pilot Assist 2.0 included a surround-view camera and rear automatic emergency braking. The Expedition also offered BlueCruise hands-free driving technology. However, the lane-centring assist had issues with accuracy and reliability, causing potential stress for drivers.