2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a refined and conservative design that stood out among its competitors. Its updated front styling 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 complemented by redesigned aluminum wheels and a choice of five paint colours, including the striking Atlantic Blue Metallic. Inside, the Highline R-Line trim offered a luxurious cabin with perforated leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and advanced technology. However, the lower half of the cabin's hard plastic reminded occupants of its mass-market status. Standard features included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and keyless entry, making the Tiguan a well-rounded choice for those seeking a stylish and practical SUV.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia, on the other hand, boasted a bold and distinctive design inspired by the Toyota Tundra. Its imposing presence was enhanced by a traditional grille and front bumper, setting it apart from its predecessor. Inside, the Sequoia Capstone trim offered an industrial yet luxurious interior with leather, wood, and metallic finishes. The 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system dominated the dashboard, while the cream white-over-black colour scheme added a touch of elegance. Despite its upscale appearance, some interior materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia's lineup included various trims, each catering to different preferences and needs, from off-road capabilities to luxurious features.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,900 rpm. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and VW's 4Motion AWD, the Tiguan offered a balanced driving experience. Drivers could choose from Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, while the Active Control system provided Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings. Despite its nimble handling, the Tiguan's ground clearance and shallow approach angles limited its off-road capabilities. Fuel efficiency was a highlight, with an average of 9.5 L/100 km during testing, though some turbo lag was noted during acceleration.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a powerful hybrid powertrain with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and an electric motor/generator. This setup produced an impressive 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 4,137 kilograms, while fuel efficiency improved to 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor their experience. However, the ride quality varied depending on the mode, with Sport mode providing the best balance of performance and comfort. The Sequoia's steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times, but overall, it delivered a robust and efficient performance.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among compact crossovers with its spacious interior, rivaling smaller midsize SUVs. The Highline R-Line trim offered comfortable leather-wrapped front seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The second row provided ample headroom and legroom, 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, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs provided comfort but lacked adjustability, impacting third-row space. The third-row seat, mounted above the battery pack, offered limited comfort and legroom. Cargo capacity was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with a maximum of 2,460 litres available, significantly less than its predecessor. Despite these limitations, the Sequoia's interior was well-appointed, catering to long road trips and family adventures.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital gauges, with the Highline R-Line offering a sophisticated 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 premium audio system. However, the natural voice recognition system was disappointing, and users often relied on smartphone integration for a better experience. The Tiguan also offered an available Park Assist system for added convenience.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia boasted a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen in most trims. The system was intuitive, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services allowed for user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant, though some glitches were noted during testing. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, enhancing safety and convenience. Despite some challenges with glare and system bugs, the Sequoia's technology offerings were comprehensive and user-friendly.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with standard safety features, including Front Assist and Side Assist. Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance, was available, though its touch-sensing controls were challenging to use. Emergency Assist, another upgrade, provided added safety by slowing the vehicle 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 its safety credentials further.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia offered an extensive suite of standard driver-assistance features through Toyota Safety Sense 2.5. This package included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. Additional features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. While crash test ratings were not available at the time of review, the Sequoia's safety features were comprehensive and effective, providing peace of mind for drivers and passengers alike.