2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet timeless design, characterized by its creased and symmetrical lines. This approach, while not overly emotive, appealed to those who appreciated 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 SUV offered four trim levels in Canada, all equipped with standard 4Motion all-wheel drive, and prices ranged from $33,395 to $43,395. The Highline R-Line trim, in particular, boasted a sportier look with options like the Atlantic Blue Metallic paint and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Tiguan Highline R-Line featured a luxurious cabin with leather upholstery, touch-sensing controls, and ambient lighting, 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 additional options like a panoramic sunroof available.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport embraced a modernist and reductive design philosophy, focusing on clean and simple aesthetics. While not flashy, the Range Rover Sport exuded understated luxury, especially in its Eiger Grey paint with silver 23-inch wheels. The interior featured a Deep Garnet over Ebony theme with aluminum and shiny black trim, offering a sense of opulence. The Range Rover Sport was available in several trims, with prices exceeding $120,000 when fully equipped. Notable design elements included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED taillights. Inside, the SUV boasted a high-tech appearance with sustainable Ultrafabrics and Windsor leather upholstery. Despite its luxurious appeal, the Range Rover Sport's design might not cater to those seeking attention-grabbing aesthetics.

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 decouple the rear axle to save fuel. Drivers had access to Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, along with Offroad settings. The Tiguan's Hill Descent Control system operated at speeds up to 30 km/h, but its 19 cm ground clearance limited its off-road capabilities. The 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 rated at 9.8 L/100 km in combined driving, with our test achieving 9.5 L/100 km. While the Tiguan offered a balanced ride, it lacked the outright fun factor for more spirited driving.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement and driver engagement. It offered a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. A plug-in hybrid option was available, providing 434 hp and 406 lb-ft. The SUV could accelerate to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and tow up to 3,500 kg. Fuel efficiency averaged 10.5 L/100 km, with highway driving returning 9.4 L/100 km. The Range Rover Sport featured a new vehicle architecture with increased torsional stiffness and adaptive damping air suspension. It included Dynamic driving mode, cornering brake control, and roll stability control. While the Range Rover Sport excelled in off-road conditions, its on-road performance fell short of sport-tuned competitors. The steering lacked involvement, and the SUV felt tall and heavy in tight curves. Off-road, it boasted impressive capabilities with 28.2 cm ground clearance and advanced tech like Terrain Response and All Terrain Progress Control.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among compact crossovers with its spacious interior, 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-wrapped front 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 proved challenging to use. Cargo space was generous, with up to 2,078 litres available in the two-row configuration.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained the Range Rover Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit. The front seats were comfortable, with 20-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat, however, was less accommodating, with limited legroom and hard front seatback panels. Cargo space measured 903 litres, expandable to 1,500 litres with the rear seats folded. The SUV featured a power liftgate and controls for lowering the air suspension for easier loading.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital gauges, with the Highline R-Line offering a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available on most trims, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected 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 system was disappointing, and users were encouraged to use smartphone integration for better results. The Tiguan also offered an available Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system proved confusing and frustrating to use, with difficulties in finding and accessing features. The SUV offered impressive Meridian audio systems and a next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system. A wireless smartphone charging pad was also included, though it was challenging to access.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard safety features like Front Assist and Side Assist. Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance, was available, though its touch-sensing controls were challenging to use. Emergency Assist was another upgrade, slowing 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 aimed to enhance this score.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, and a surround-view camera system. Remote Park Assist was available, allowing the SUV to park itself while the driver directed it via a smartphone app. However, the adaptive cruise control and steering assist systems were less refined, with slow responses and poor performance on highway curves.