2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a refined and conservative design that stood out among its competitors. Its updated front styling aligned it with Volkswagen's larger models, featuring a restyled grille with the new VW logo and standard LED headlights. The Tiguan's exterior was complemented by redesigned aluminum wheels and new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate. In Canada, the Tiguan was available in four trim levels, all with standard 4Motion AWD, and prices ranged from $33,395 to $43,395. The Highline R-Line trim offered a sportier look with 20-inch wheels and a choice of five paint colours, including the striking Atlantic Blue Metallic.

Inside, the Tiguan Highline R-Line boasted a luxurious cabin with perforated leather upholstery, advanced technology, and ambient lighting with 30 colour options. The interior featured metallic accents, though the lower half's hard plastic hinted at its mass-market status. Standard features included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and keyless entry with push-button start. The updated Tiguan maintained its appealing design while adding new features to keep it fresh until a future redesign.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia continued its second generation into its 14th year, showcasing a mature design that adhered to the principle that "good taste never goes out of style." Its exterior featured a modestly sized grille, elegant wheel arches, and straight lines, giving it a substantial presence. The Sequoia's dimensions included a height of 1,956 mm, a width of 2,030 mm, and a length of 5,210 mm, with a wheelbase of 3,099 mm. Its ground clearance of 32 cm made optional running boards a welcome addition. The Sequoia's interior, however, appeared dated compared to modern design trends, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen.

Despite its age, the Sequoia's interior was built to last, with high-quality materials and precise construction. The Nightshade Special Edition model, based on the Limited trim, demonstrated Toyota's efforts to keep the Sequoia relevant. The SUV's robust construction and ample ground clearance made it a competent off-roader, while its three-row seating and spacious interior catered to families. The Sequoia's design may have been long in the tooth, but it remained a reliable and capable choice for those seeking a large SUV.

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 transferred power to the 4Motion AWD system, which could send up to half of the power to the rear wheels. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, along with Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings. However, with just 19 cm of ground clearance, the Tiguan was best suited for well-traveled paths.

The Tiguan's suspension system included MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link independent rear suspension, providing a nimble and responsive driving experience. However, the engine's torque arrived later than some competitors, resulting in momentary turbo lag. Fuel efficiency was a supposed benefit, with a combined rating of 9.8 L/100 km, though our test drive averaged 9.5 L/100 km. The Tiguan was enjoyable to drive in normal conditions, but its tires and suspension limited its performance when pushed.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia featured a 5.7-litre i-Force V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission paired with 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 kg and a maximum towing capacity of 3,221 kg. However, its weight of approximately 2,721.5 kg resulted in higher fuel consumption ratings of 18.5 L/100 km in the city, 13.9 on the highway, and 16.4 combined.

Despite its weight, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent highway performance and sure-footed handling on curvy roads. Its body-on-frame construction and ample ground clearance made it a capable off-roader, while the TRD Pro model's Fox shocks enhanced its off-road abilities. The Sequoia's turning circle of 12.5 metres and excellent sightlines made it a practical choice for daily driving, though its height required caution in low spaces.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among compact crossover SUVs with its spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. The Highline R-Line trim offered exceptional comfort, with leather-wrapped front seats featuring eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The panoramic sunroof allowed ample light into the cabin, while the second row provided generous headroom and legroom for adults and children alike. Rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and storage added to the Tiguan's practicality.

The Tiguan's switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard added sophistication but proved challenging to use. Cargo space ranked among the best in its class, with 339 litres behind the third row, 934 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 1,854 litres. Our two-row test vehicle offered even more space, with 1,064 litres behind the back seat and a maximum capacity of 2,078 litres.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort, with spacious seating across all three rows. Three-zone climate control catered to all occupants, while a power moonroof added light and air. Heated front seats were standard, with heated rear seats available on the Platinum grade. The Sequoia's centre console, glove compartment, and door pockets provided ample storage, while rear passengers enjoyed cup holders and power access.

The Sequoia's cargo compartment featured a 12-volt outlet, ideal for tailgating and camping. With 535 litres of luggage space behind the third row, the power-folding third row expanded capacity to 1,886 litres. Folding both the second and third rows flat created a cavernous 3,401 litres of space, making the Sequoia a versatile choice for families and adventurers alike.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with standard digital gauges, known as Digital Cockpit, with an 8-inch display in most versions and a 10.25-inch display in the Highline R-Line. The MIB3 infotainment system, introduced the previous year, featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, App-Connect smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Highline R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system.

Despite improvements, the MIB3's natural voice recognition was disappointing, prompting users to rely on Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, or Mirror Link. The Tiguan also offered an available Park Assist system, standard on the Highline R-Line, which could autonomously steer the SUV into parking spaces.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's infotainment system appeared outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a clunky operating system. However, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, along with Bluetooth connectivity, helped bridge the gap. The Sequoia Platinum and TRD Pro added navigation and a 14-speaker JBL premium audio system.

While the Sequoia's technology lagged behind competitors, Toyota updated its exterior lighting to LED and included a rear backup camera and front and rear parking sonar. The Sequoia's lack of modern powertrain features, such as turbocharging or electrification, left it behind in terms of efficiency and innovation.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard safety and driver assistance systems, including Front Assist with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, and Side Assist with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance, was available, though its touch-sensing controls proved challenging to use. Emergency Assist, another upgrade, could safely bring the Tiguan 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 aimed to enhance its safety credentials.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia lacked crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, but its size and standard safety features provided reassurance. The Toyota Safety Sense P suite included pre-collision systems with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was also standard. The Sequoia's STAR safety system encompassed stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and more. A full complement of airbags, crumple zones, and other safety features contributed to the Sequoia's protective capabilities.