2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was noted for its conservative yet timeless design, which set it apart from some of its more ostentatious competitors. The refreshed styling included a new front design that 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 further enhanced by redesigned aluminum wheels and new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate. Inside, the Highline R-Line trim offered a luxurious cabin with perforated leather upholstery, touch-sensing controls, and ambient lighting options. However, the use of hard plastics in the lower cabin areas reminded occupants of its mass-market positioning.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, while not as bold as some of Hyundai's other models, maintained a conservative yet attractive appearance. The SUV continued with the same design as the previous year, featuring a wide grille and thin LED headlights. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim, tested in a U.S. specification, boasted a rich Stormy Sea paint and a black leather interior. The cabin was high-quality but somewhat dark, with Nappa leather seats providing comfort and style. The Santa Fe's interior was equipped with heated and cooled front seats, and the second row also featured seat heaters, making it a comfortable choice for varying weather conditions.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This power was managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission and VW’s 4Motion AWD system, which could distribute up to half of the power to the rear wheels. The Tiguan offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, along with Offroad settings. Despite its nimble handling, the Tiguan's engine exhibited some turbo lag, and its fuel efficiency was rated at 9.8 L/100 km in combined driving.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a choice between a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre engine with 191 horsepower and a turbocharged version producing 281 horsepower. The turbocharged engine, available in the Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, provided immediate acceleration and passing power, with no noticeable turbo lag. The Santa Fe's eight-speed "wet" dual-clutch automatic transmission contributed to a smooth driving experience, and the SUV offered four drive modes: Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart. The turbocharged Santa Fe also boasted a towing capacity of 1,587 kg, making it a versatile option for those needing extra power.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a standout in terms of interior space, offering a roomy cabin that rivalled smaller midsize SUVs. The Highline R-Line trim featured comfortable leather seats with power adjustments and excellent visibility. The second row provided ample headroom and legroom, and the cargo space was generous, with a maximum capacity of 2,078 litres in the two-row configuration.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, designed as a two-row SUV, offered impressive rear-seat legroom of 1,060 millimetres and a competitive cargo space of 1,032 litres behind the second row. Folding the seats expanded the storage capacity to 2,041 litres. The Santa Fe's interior was equipped with dual-zone climate control, a hands-free smart liftgate, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the driver's seat position could be a concern for those preferring a higher view, as it pushed the driver closer to the steering wheel.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital gauges, with the Highline R-Line trim offering a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available in most trims, included an 8-inch touchscreen, smartphone mirroring, and a nine-speaker Fender audio system. However, the voice recognition system was less reliable, and the touch controls could be challenging to use.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in technology, offering a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with customizable settings, though voice recognition had mixed results. The Santa Fe also featured advanced driver assistance systems, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came with standard safety features like Front Assist and Side Assist. It also offered Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in 2021, with hopes for improved scores in 2022.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added Highway Driving Assist, enhancing adaptive cruise control. The Santa Fe received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS, highlighting its strong safety performance.