2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Subaru Forester

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet timeless design, characterized by its creased and symmetrical styling. 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 interior of the Tiguan Highline R-Line was upscale, with perforated leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and metallic accents, though the lower half's hard plastic betrayed its mass-market status. The R-Line models added a sportier look, with the Comfortline R-Line Black Edition offering a trendy blacked-out appearance.

In contrast, the 2023 Subaru Forester maintained a functional design, prioritizing substance over style. Its appearance was consistent with previous models, with a boxy shape and practical features like robust roof rails. The Premier trim added a touch of elegance with satin chrome exterior trim and 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the Forester Premier offered brown leather and metallic accents, with a focus on practicality and ease of use. The interior was busy, with a mix of traditional buttons and knobs, providing a straightforward and user-friendly experience. Despite its utilitarian design, the Forester was well-suited for outdoor adventures, with features like a high static-weight rating for roof rails.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft 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. The Tiguan offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, along with Offroad settings. However, with only 19 cm of ground clearance, it was best suited for well-traveled paths. The Tiguan’s handling was nimble and responsive, though it lacked the power and performance expected from its engine, resulting in a fuel efficiency of 9.5 L/100 km during testing.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT and standard AWD. The CVT mimicked a traditional automatic with eight programmed ratios, and the SI-Drive system offered a Sport mode. The Forester excelled in off-road conditions, with X-Mode traction control and hill descent control. The Forester Premier handled various weather conditions with ease, providing confidence in challenging environments. Despite its adequate powertrain, the Forester’s driving dynamics were impressive, offering a comfortable and communicative ride. However, it fell short of its fuel economy rating, achieving 9.1 L/100 km during testing.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a standout in terms of interior space, rivaling smaller midsize SUVs. It offered an optional third row, with the Highline R-Line providing leather-wrapped, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation. The second row was spacious, accommodating adults comfortably. 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 Subaru Forester prioritized function, with features like a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable driver’s seat, and heated front seats available from the Touring trim. The Premier trim added leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control. The Forester excelled in outward visibility, making it easy to drive and park. However, the panoramic sunroof lacked sufficient tinting, leading to solar heating issues. The Forester’s cargo area was practical, with 762 litres of space behind the back seat and 1,957 litres with the seats folded, offering average capacity for the segment.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital gauges, with the Highline R-Line offering a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro. The MIB3 infotainment system, available on most trims, included an 8-inch touchscreen, smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM. However, the voice recognition system was disappointing, making smartphone integration essential. The Highline R-Line also offered a Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2023 Subaru Forester’s technology appeared outdated but was user-friendly. The Base trim included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Starlink services. An 8-inch display with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system was available. The Forester’s interface was straightforward, with separate climate controls and easy-to-use knobs. However, the voice-recognition system was unreliable, making smartphone integration necessary.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came with standard Front Assist and Side Assist, with available Travel Assist and Emergency Assist features. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance, while Emergency Assist could bring the vehicle to a stop if the driver was unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, with hopes for improvement in 2022.

The 2023 Subaru Forester introduced the next-generation EyeSight system, with updated software and cameras. Adaptive cruise control was standard, and higher trims added Automatic Emergency Steering. The Forester’s safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Rear Automatic Braking. The Forester earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, a step down from the previous year’s Top Safety Pick+ award, but received high ratings from the NHTSA.