2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Audi Q5

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among its competitors with a design that was creased, folded, and symmetrical, leaning towards a conservative aesthetic. This approach, while not eliciting strong emotional responses, was appreciated for its simplicity and minimalism, ensuring the vehicle aged gracefully. The refreshed front styling aligned the Tiguan with Volkswagen’s larger models, featuring a new grille with the updated VW logo and available illuminated grille bar. Standard LED headlights, new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate, and redesigned aluminum wheels added to its refined look.

The Tiguan lineup was simplified for 2022, offering S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims with either FWD or AWD. Prices ranged from $25,995 to $36,995, with a destination charge of $1,195. The SEL R-Line test vehicle, priced at $37,970, featured a sportier look, especially in the SE R-Line Black trim with its blacked-out appearance. The interior of the SEL R-Line was upscale, with perforated leather upholstery, new technology, touch-sensing controls, and ambient lighting in 15 colors. However, the hard plastic in the lower cabin areas revealed its mass-market status.

The 2023 Audi Q5 combined subtle curves with angular accents, resulting in a classy yet sporty appearance. It was available in two body styles: the regular Q5 SUV and the Q5 Sportback, which featured a sloping rear roofline for a sleeker silhouette. The Sportback's design included a spoiler-like element above the taillights, providing a more defined transition from hatch to tail section. Inside, the Q5 maintained a refined and simple layout, though its age was beginning to show since its last redesign in 2018. Standard features included leather seating and heated front seats, with options for a heated steering wheel and rear seats. The 10-inch touchscreen atop the dash and good material quality were highlights, though the rear seats had harder plastic elements for durability.

The Q5's build quality was robust, with no squeaks or creaks over rough surfaces, making it a solid choice among luxury SUVs. The interior space was ample, with good visibility and comfortable seating for taller passengers. The Sportback model offered slightly less headroom but still accommodated six-footers comfortably. Storage options were varied, though some were oddly sized. Cargo space was competitive, with 25.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats in the standard model and 24.7 cubic feet in the Sportback.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter 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 front wheels, with an optional 4Motion AWD system that could send up to half the power to the rear wheels. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings for AWD models. Despite its 7.6 inches 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, with 13.4-inch vented front discs and 11.8-inch solid rear discs. The variable assist steering adjusted based on speed, providing a nimble and responsive feel in normal driving situations. However, the engine's torque arrived later than some turbocharged engines, resulting in momentary turbo lag. The EPA rated the AWD R-Line at 24 mpg combined, and real-world testing yielded 24.7 mpg. While enjoyable to drive, the Tiguan's performance could have benefited from more power.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine choices. The base 40 TFSI was a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The midrange 45 TFSI increased output to 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, and was the only engine available for the Q5 Sportback. The 55 TFSI was a plug-in hybrid powertrain with 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, offering an estimated 23 miles of electric-only range and a full charge time of 2.5 hours on a 7.4 kW home charger. All Q5s featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro AWD.

The Q5 Sportback with the 45 TFSI engine experienced a noticeable delay in power delivery, likely due to the slow-to-react transmission. This made initial acceleration feel sluggish, though power was adequate once underway. Handling was sporty, with precise steering and confidence-inspiring performance on curvy roads. The Q5 balanced compliance and cornering well, managing bumps and impacts without harshness. The engine and exhaust remained quiet unless pushed hard, and road and wind noise were well controlled for a calm cabin.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a standout among compact crossover SUVs due to its spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered a standard third-row seat in FWD models, though this feature was not available in AWD versions. The SEL R-Line trim provided exceptional comfort with leather-wrapped, eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation. The panoramic glass sunroof added to the airy feel of the cabin, and outward visibility was excellent.

The second row was roomy and comfortable for adults, with rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and ample storage. The switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard for 2022 added sophistication but could be challenging to use. Cargo space was among the best in its class, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and a maximum of 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down in AWD models. FWD models with the third-row seat offered 12 cubic feet behind the third row, 33 cubic feet with it folded, and 65.5 cubic feet in total.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design had remained largely unchanged since 2018 but continued to impress with its timeless appeal. The 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen was positioned atop the dash for easy visibility, and traditional dials and buttons were provided for climate controls. Physical buttons for secondary controls reduced the need to navigate on-screen menus. Visibility was good, aided by a narrow front roof pillar and better-than-average rear visibility.

The Q5 offered ample space for taller passengers in both the front and rear seats, with the Sportback model sacrificing only a quarter-inch of headroom. Storage options were varied, though some compartments were oddly sized. The wireless phone charger was on a sliding tray covering the cupholders, which were heated and cooled in the top trim. The door pockets were the most accommodating for larger items. Cargo space was competitive, with 25.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats in the standard model and 24.7 cubic feet in the Sportback.

For 2022, the Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital instrumentation, with most versions using an 8-inch display and the SEL R-Line boasting a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, introduced last year, was available in all but the base Tiguan S, which used MIB2 with a 6.5-inch touchscreen. The MIB3 system included an 8-inch touchscreen, standard Car-Net connected services, App-Connect smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The SEL R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system.

Natural voice recognition was a touted feature of MIB3, but it required a Plus Speech upgrade and an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription, which was not available for testing. Car-Net's Remote Access plan was complimentary for five years, allowing remote engine start, door lock operation, vehicle location, and Family Guardian alerts. The Safe & Secure plan offered automatic crash notification and emergency assistance, while the Hotspot plan provided a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The 2022 Tiguan also offered an available Park Assist system, standard on the SEL R-Line.

The 2023 Audi Q5 came standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring sharp graphics and quick responses, though it took time to boot up and activate Apple CarPlay. Both CarPlay and Android Auto were available wirelessly. Higher trims included a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The on-screen buttons in Audi's native system were large and easy to read, but the app buttons in Apple CarPlay were smaller and closer together.

The Q5 could be monitored remotely via a smartphone app, allowing for feature control such as unlocking and temperature pre-conditioning. Audi Connect Care service was included for a limited time, after which a subscription was required. Mid-range trims featured a customizable digital instrument panel, providing extensive information when needed.

For 2022, the Volkswagen Tiguan included standard Front Assist (forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection) and Side Assist (blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert). The Tiguan’s IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems saw significant improvements with the addition of Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, working at speeds over 40 mph. However, the touch-sensing controls could be challenging to engage. Emergency Assist operated when Travel Assist was active, slowing the SUV and bringing it 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 new features aimed to improve that score.

The 2023 Audi Q5 received five out of five stars from the NHTSA for overall, frontal, and side protection, and four stars in rollover tests. The IIHS awarded the Q5 its highest score of "Good" in all crashworthiness tests and named it a Top Safety Pick+. Standard safety features included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and front and rear parking sensors. The Premium Plus trim added lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera system, and traffic jam assist. The Prestige trim featured matrix-design LED headlights, a head-up display, a semi-automated parking system, and a traffic sign reader. Rear-seat side impact airbags were optional on all trims.