2023 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a refined and conservative design that stood out among its competitors. Its creased and symmetrical styling, while not overly emotional, was appreciated for its simplicity and timelessness. The 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 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 available 18-inch alloy wheels, was particularly striking in Atlantic Blue Metallic. Inside, the Tiguan boasted a sophisticated cabin with leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and new technology, though the hard plastic in the lower half revealed its mass-market status. Standard features included heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, with additional options like a panoramic sunroof available.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to shed its minivan image with a design reminiscent of a Japanese bullet train. Despite its minivan roots, the Sienna offered a smart choice for families with its larger cargo capacity and creative interior features. The Sienna came in various trims, including the new 25th Anniversary Special Edition, and offered FWD and AWD options. The interior was praised for its high-quality materials, with the Platinum trim featuring brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents. The Sienna accommodated seven or eight passengers, with the middle row supporting three-across car seats. The second-row captain’s chairs were functional and comfortable, with extending ottomans and sliding capabilities for added legroom. The Sienna’s design and features made it a practical and stylish 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 pound-feet of torque at 1,900 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the 4Motion AWD system, which could send up to half of the power to the rear wheels. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, along with Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings. Despite its 19 centimetres of ground clearance, the Tiguan was best suited for well-traveled paths. The MacPherson struts in front and multi-link independent rear suspension contributed to its nimble handling, though the engine’s torque arrived later than some competitors, resulting in momentary turbo lag. Fuel efficiency was a focus, with an average of 9.5 L/100 km during testing. The Tiguan was enjoyable to drive, but its performance could have been more robust.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and two front-mounted electric motors, plus a third rear-mounted motor for AWD trims, delivering 245 net system horsepower. While the power specs were less impressive than competitors, the Sienna’s chassis and steering were praised for their nimbleness and ease of driving. The Sienna offered EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport drive modes, though Normal mode was recommended for the best balance. The CVT tended to climb the rev band, and the Sienna’s acceleration was lacklustre compared to more powerful rivals. However, the Sienna’s light steering and tidy turning radius made it enjoyable to drive in the city, and it cruised comfortably on the highway.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a spacious compact crossover, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. The Highline R-Line trim offered comfortable leather-wrapped front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The second row provided ample headroom and legroom, accommodating adults and children alike. The Tiguan’s cargo space was among the best in its class, with 1,064 litres of luggage volume behind the back seat and a maximum capacity of 2,078 litres in the two-row configuration. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard was less user-friendly than traditional buttons.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior storage solutions, with ample space for bags and personal items. The Sienna’s minivan platform made excellent use of space, offering 949 litres of cargo space behind the third row and 2,129 litres with the seat folded. Total cargo space was 2,860 litres, though the middle row could not be fully removed or folded into the floor. The second-row captain’s chairs were functional and comfortable, with extending ottomans and sliding capabilities for added legroom. The Sienna’s design prioritized passenger comfort and practicality, making it an ideal choice for families.

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 premium audio system. However, the natural voice recognition system was disappointing, and the Park Assist system was standard on the Highline R-Line.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna used an older infotainment interface, offering core features like SiriusXM, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system included physical buttons, which were functional but felt outdated. The 9-inch touchscreen was adequate, and the 12-speaker JBL premium audio system sounded good. However, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay required a wired connection, and the interface was clunky to use. Despite its age, the Sienna’s technology was reliable and met basic needs.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came with standard Front Assist and Side Assist, along with available Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. 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 standard LED headlights and driver aids aimed to improve that score.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna impressed with its standard safety technology, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. While competitors offered additional features like intercom systems and rear-seat cameras, the Sienna focused on essential safety features for family use.