2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet appealing design, characterized by its creased and symmetrical styling. This approach, while not overly emotive, was appreciated by those who favoured 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, though the lower half of the cabin revealed its mass-market status 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 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, particularly the AMG GLE 53 variant, was styled with a sporty flair, reminiscent of an athletic sneaker. The Selenite Gray paint and 22-inch forged aluminum wheels added to its appeal. Inside, the GLE Coupe was luxurious, with high-end materials and a high-tech dual-screen setup. The Nappa leather and Dinamica suede headliner contributed to a sumptuous cabin experience. However, the lack of traditional controls posed a learning curve for new users. The ambient lighting enhanced the driving experience, especially at night, while the overall design masked the vehicle’s complexity with a facade of simplicity.

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. This engine was paired with 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 in normal driving situations, the Tiguan’s performance was limited by its engine’s power output and momentary turbo lag. Fuel efficiency was moderate, with a combined rating of 9.8 L/100 km.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe boasted a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-6 engine with 429 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 384 pound-feet of torque from 1,800 rpm. The EQ Boost mild-hybrid system added extra power when needed. The GLE Coupe featured a SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission and AMG Performance 4Matic+ AWD with variable torque distribution. The AMG Dynamic Select system offered multiple driving modes, including Sport+ for spirited driving. The GLE Coupe excelled in performance, with a taut and nimble feel, though its size and weight were noticeable on challenging roads. Fuel consumption was slightly higher at 12.7 L/100 km.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a spacious compact crossover, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered an optional third row, though cargo space was compromised with it in use. The Highline R-Line trim provided comfortable leather seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The second row was roomy, accommodating adults and children alike. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard was less user-friendly. Cargo capacity was impressive, with up to 2,078 litres available in the two-row configuration.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe accommodated up to five people, though four was more comfortable. The front seats offered numerous adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Rear visibility was limited, necessitating the use of available cameras. The back seat provided ample legroom, and the cargo hold offered 655 litres, expanding to 1,790 litres with the seats folded. The GLE Coupe included luxury features like heated armrests and an in-cabin fragrance system, enhancing the overall experience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital gauges, with the Highline R-Line offering a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro. The MIB3 infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen, included Car-Net services and smartphone mirroring. The Highline R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender audio system. However, the natural voice recognition was disappointing, and the Park Assist system was standard on the Highline R-Line.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe came with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring dual 12.3-inch screens. Standard features included navigation, satellite radio, and smartphone integration. MBUX was user-friendly, with natural voice recognition activated by saying “Hey Mercedes.” Optional features included gesture recognition, augmented video navigation, and a Burmester surround-sound system. The touchpad on the centre console was less intuitive, but the overall system was sophisticated and easy to use.

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 vehicle to a stop if the driver was unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model aimed to improve with new features.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe offered numerous safety features, including forward-collision warning and blind-spot monitoring. The Intelligent Drive Package added 13 systems for driver assistance and collision avoidance. The Active Lane Change Assist and Active Emergency Stop Assist were particularly impressive. The GLE Coupe’s lane-keeping assistance was finely tuned, and the adaptive cruise control included route-based speed adaptation. Crash-test results for the GLE Coupe were unavailable, but the standard GLE received top safety ratings.