2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Toyota Venza

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet timeless design, distinguishing itself from its often less aesthetically pleasing competitors. Its refreshed exterior featured new front styling that aligned with Volkswagen's larger models, such as the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport. The restyled grille, standard LED headlights, and redesigned aluminum wheels contributed to its sophisticated appearance. Inside, the Tiguan Highline R-Line boasted a luxurious cabin with leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and advanced technology, although the lower half's hard plastic hinted at its mass-market status. The vehicle's overall design was both elegant and enduring, appealing to those who appreciate simplicity and minimalism.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Venza offered a sleek and sculpted design, more akin to a luxury vehicle than a typical midsize crossover SUV. Its contoured body and tapering rear roofline gave it a distinctive look, reminiscent of a Mazda rather than a traditional Toyota. Inside, the Venza borrowed elements from the RAV4 but elevated the experience with higher-quality materials and a more luxurious feel. The cabin's design approached Lexus-level luxury, with integrated climate controls and soft-touch surfaces. Overall, the Venza stood out as one of Toyota's most attractively styled vehicles, both inside and out.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet 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. Despite its enjoyable drive, the Tiguan's engine exhibited some turbo lag, and its fuel efficiency was rated at 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Tiguan's ride and handling were satisfactory for everyday driving, though it lacked the excitement for more spirited driving.

The 2023 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a hybrid system, delivering a combined 219 horsepower. Its AWD system utilized a CVT and separate electric motor for the rear wheels. The Venza's acceleration was smooth, reaching 100 km/h in just over 7.5 seconds. The hybrid system provided seamless transitions between electric and gasoline power, while regenerative braking contributed to battery recharging. The Venza prioritized ride comfort over sporty handling, offering a smooth ride with light steering effort. However, its maneuverability was limited, requiring ample space for U-turns.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was notable for its spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered an optional third row, though cargo space was compromised with it in use. The two-row configuration provided 1,064 litres of luggage volume, expanding to 2,078 litres with the rear seats folded. The Tiguan's interior featured comfortable leather seats with power adjustments, excellent visibility, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard proved challenging to use.

The 2023 Toyota Venza provided ample space for front passengers, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. The rear seats offered sufficient room for adults, though headroom was slightly limited. The Venza's cargo capacity was 816 litres, less than some competitors, and it lacked towing capability. However, it excelled in accommodating smaller personal items, with a wireless phone charger, large cupholders, and spacious door pockets.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with standard digital gauges, with the Highline R-Line featuring a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available on most trims, included an 8-inch touchscreen, smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM radio. The Highline R-Line offered a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender audio system. However, the MIB3's natural voice recognition was disappointing, and the Park Assist system was standard on the Highline R-Line.

The 2023 Toyota Venza featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad. The base LE trim had an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims boasted a 12.3-inch display. The new infotainment system offered sharp graphics and quick responses. The Venza XLE and Limited trims included a one-year trial of Drive Connect services, activated by voice command. The base audio system had six speakers, with a nine-speaker JBL system available on higher trims.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard safety features like Front Assist and Side Assist. It also offered Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance, and Emergency Assist, which 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 Toyota Venza received high safety ratings, with five stars from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" from the IIHS. It came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added features like parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and a head-up display. The Venza's safety features performed reliably, with smooth adaptive cruise control.