2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Volvo XC60

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet timeless design, distinguishing itself from its less aesthetically pleasing competitors. Its refreshed exterior featured new front styling that aligned with Volkswagen's larger models, a restyled grille with the new VW logo, and standard LED headlights. The Tiguan's interior was equally impressive, offering a rich cabin with leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and metallic accents, although the lower half's hard plastic hinted at its mass-market status. The R-Line models added a sportier look, with the Highline R-Line boasting 20-inch wheels and a choice of five paint colours, including the striking Atlantic Blue Metallic.

In contrast, the 2023 Volvo XC60 exuded Scandinavian minimalism and elegance, both inside and out. The exterior, with its Thunder Grey paint and blacked-out trim, sat on 20-inch wheels, showcasing Volvo's design prowess. Inside, the XC60's cabin was a blend of opulence and functionality, featuring black leather, wood trim, metal accents, and ambient lighting. The Ultimate package added luxurious touches like a crystal gear selector knob. Despite its compact size, the XC60's interior felt spacious, thanks to the panoramic sunroof and supportive seating, making it a comfortable choice for passengers.

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, its 19 cm ground clearance limited its off-road capabilities. The Tiguan's ride and handling were satisfactory for everyday driving, but it lacked the excitement some Volkswagen enthusiasts might seek. Fuel efficiency was moderate, with an average of 9.5 L/100 km during testing.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge, on the other hand, combined a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine with an electric motor, delivering a remarkable 455 horsepower and 423 lb-ft of torque. It offered an estimated 58 km of electric-only driving range. The XC60 featured multiple driving modes, including Hybrid, Power, and Pure, allowing drivers to tailor their experience. In Power mode, the XC60 was exceptionally quick, reaching 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds. The XC60's regenerative braking and one-pedal driving system enhanced efficiency, achieving an average fuel economy of 4.3 L/100 km during testing. The XC60's performance was both exhilarating and efficient, making it a standout in its class.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a spacious compact SUV, offering ample interior room comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It featured comfortable leather seats with power adjustments, excellent visibility, and a panoramic sunroof. The second row provided generous headroom and legroom, accommodating adults and children alike. Cargo space was impressive, with up to 2,078 litres available in the two-row configuration. However, the touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard were less user-friendly than traditional buttons.

The 2023 Volvo XC60, while compact, offered outstanding front-seat comfort with Nappa leather upholstery, heating, ventilation, and power cushion extensions. The rear seats were also comfortable, though legroom was limited for taller passengers. The XC60's storage solutions were practical, with ample space in door bins and a well-designed cargo area. It provided 730 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,792 litres with the seats folded. The XC60's thoughtful design and features made it a practical choice for everyday use.

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 most trims, included an 8-inch touchscreen, smartphone mirroring, and a nine-speaker Fender audio system. However, the voice recognition system was disappointing, and the touch controls were challenging to use. The Tiguan also offered Park Assist for autonomous parking.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 boasted a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and a Google Built-in infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen. It provided access to Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play, supporting both Android and Apple devices. The voice-recognition system was impressive, handling various requests with ease. The optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system delivered exceptional audio quality, enhancing the overall experience. The XC60's technology was intuitive and user-friendly, making it a standout feature.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with 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 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.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 was synonymous with safety, featuring Pilot Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and lane-centring capability. Oncoming Lane Mitigation helped avoid collisions with oncoming vehicles. While the XC60 Recharge hadn't been assessed by the NHTSA, the B5 and B6 models received top safety ratings. The IIHS awarded the XC60 a Top Safety Pick+ rating, underscoring its commitment to safety.