2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Subaru Outback

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 Highline R-Line trim, with its sportier look and Atlantic Blue Metallic paint, added a touch of elegance with its machined-surface 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the Tiguan Highline R-Line boasted a luxurious cabin with leather upholstery, new technology, and ambient lighting, although the hard plastic in the lower half of the cabin hinted at its mass-market status.

The 2023 Subaru Outback underwent a facelift, adopting a more aggressive appearance with redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper. The Onyx Edition, with its black wheels and trim, complemented the bold cladding. The Outback offered seven trim levels in Canada, with prices ranging from $32,695 to $46,395. The Limited trim, with its Cosmic Blue paint and Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery, provided a cohesive and upscale interior. Despite some hard plastic elements, the Outback’s interior maintained a high-quality feel. The vehicle’s practicality was evident in its design, with features like a robust roof rack and flat door sills enhancing its utility.

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. An eight-speed automatic transmission paired with 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 19 cm ground clearance, the Tiguan was best suited for well-traveled paths. The vehicle’s suspension and steering provided a nimble and responsive feel, although turbo lag was noticeable during acceleration. Fuel efficiency was rated at 9.8 L/100 km in combined driving, with our test achieving 9.5 L/100 km.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured a standard 2.5-litre flat-four engine, delivering 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. The CVT made good use of the power at lower speeds, but passing and climbing power was limited. The Outback XT models, with a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine, offered 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing better performance at the cost of fuel efficiency. The standard engine returned 9.2 L/100 km in our tests, despite an expected 8.3 L/100 km. The Outback’s AWD system and X-Mode traction system enhanced its off-road capabilities, while its suspension provided a comfortable ride. However, the standard engine lacked urgency, especially at higher elevations.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among compact SUVs with its spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. The Highline R-Line trim offered leather-wrapped, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and excellent outward visibility. The second row provided ample headroom and legroom, accommodating adults and children alike. Cargo space was generous, with 1,064 litres behind the back seat and 2,078 litres with the rear seat folded down. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard proved challenging to use.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a robust roof rack and flat door sills. The Limited trim offered a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front and rear seats, and premium Nappa leather upholstery. The Outback’s interior was spacious, with 923 litres of cargo space behind the back seat and 2,141 litres with the seat folded down. The vehicle’s design made it easy to enter and exit, and the rear seats provided comfort for long journeys. However, wind noise was noticeable on the highway, and the vehicle could benefit from more practical storage space.

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 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 system was disappointing, and the Park Assist system was standard on the Highline R-Line.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, except for the Base trim, came with an 11.6-inch Starlink touchscreen infotainment system. Physical controls included volume and tuning knobs, while other functions were embedded in the touchscreen. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, with a navigation system and Harman Kardon audio system available on higher trims. The voice recognition system was limited, and additional technologies included a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included 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, and the 2022 model’s improvements aimed to enhance this score.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured new EyeSight cameras and an electronic brake booster, earning top safety marks from the IIHS. The Base model included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist, with additional features available on higher trims. The Outback Premier XT offered a third Wide-Angle Mono Camera for better pedestrian and cyclist detection. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems felt artificial, and the rear automatic braking system was incompatible with some driveways.