2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet timeless design, distinguishing itself from its competitors with a creased and symmetrical aesthetic. The refreshed front styling aligned it with Volkswagen’s larger models, featuring a restyled grille with the new VW logo and standard LED headlights. The Tiguan offered four trim levels in Canada, all with standard 4Motion AWD, and prices ranged from $33,395 to $43,395. The R-Line models boasted a sportier look, with the Highline R-Line featuring 20-inch wheels and a choice of five paint colours. Inside, the Tiguan Highline R-Line offered a luxurious cabin with leather upholstery, touch-sensing controls, and ambient lighting, though the lower half of the cabin revealed its mass-market status with hard plastics.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue maintained a handsome and rugged design, appealing to those who value aesthetics in their vehicles. It was available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with prices starting at $30,898 and reaching $43,748 for the Platinum trim. The Platinum trim offered a range of upscale features, including diamond-pattern leather seats and soft-touch materials. The Rogue’s interior was designed for comfort, with a focus on practicality and ease of use. However, the rear seat comfort was less impressive, and the key fob design was criticized for its lack of thoughtfulness. The Rogue provided ample storage space and a versatile cargo area, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 lb-ft of torque at 1,900 rpm. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and VW’s 4Motion AWD system, which could decouple the rear axle to save fuel. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, along with Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings. Despite its enjoyable drive, the Tiguan experienced turbo lag and lacked the power expected from its engine. Fuel efficiency was rated at 9.8 L/100 km in combined driving, with a test drive averaging 9.5 L/100 km. The Tiguan’s ride and handling were nimble and responsive, though it struggled when pushed for performance.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a new turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with a variable compression design, producing 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 lb-ft of torque from 2,800 to 4,000 rpm. Paired with a CVT, the Rogue offered Eco, Auto, and Sport driving modes, with additional Off-Road and Snow modes for AWD versions. The VC-Turbo powertrain provided responsive performance in urban settings, though it lacked passing power on the highway. Fuel economy was rated at 7.7 L/100 km, but the test drive averaged 8.1 L/100 km. The Rogue’s ride quality was enhanced by Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, though it experienced more body motion on uneven roads. The steering was lifeless, but the overall handling was secure and consistent.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a spacious compact SUV, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered an optional third row, though it compromised cargo space. The Highline R-Line trim provided comfortable leather seats with power adjustments, excellent visibility, and a panoramic sunroof. The second row was roomy, accommodating adults and children with ease. The Tiguan’s cargo space was among the best in its class, with up to 2,078 litres of capacity in the two-row configuration. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard was less user-friendly.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue served as a practical family car replacement, offering easy entry and exit, good visibility, and a spacious cargo area. The Platinum trim featured premium leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel, though ventilated seats were not available. The Rogue’s Zero Gravity seats provided comfort, but the rear seat was less comfortable due to its low cushion and quilted pleats. The Rogue offered ample storage, though most areas were unlined, leading to potential noise. The cargo area provided up to 2,064 litres of space with the back seats folded, and the Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for versatile configurations.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came with standard digital gauges, with the Highline R-Line featuring a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available on all but the base trim, 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 voice recognition technology was disappointing, and the Park Assist system was standard on the Highline R-Line.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue used an older infotainment system with an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and smartphone integration. The test vehicle had a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition struggled with accuracy, and the system included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display. The infotainment system was feature-rich, but the voice recognition needed improvement.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard Front Assist and Side Assist, with available Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance, though the touch-sensing controls were challenging to use. Emergency Assist operated when Travel Assist was active, slowing the vehicle if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model featured improved driver aids.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 10 airbags, Safety Shield 360, and NissanConnect services. Higher trims included ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance. ProPilot Assist worked well, though activation was initially challenging. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, though it received lower scores in updated crash tests. The NHTSA awarded the Rogue a five-star overall rating, with four stars for frontal-impact collisions.