2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Volvo XC60

The 2022 Volvo XC60 underwent subtle styling changes, enhancing its sporty appearance with a new front fascia featuring "air blades" and a redesigned rear bumper that concealed the tailpipes. The front grille was reworked to house sensors for driver-assist systems behind a heated Volvo logo, ensuring functionality in cold weather. Built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, the XC60 shared its foundation with other Volvo models like the XC90 and S90. Inside, the XC60 retained its clean design, with a new digital instrument cluster and a portrait-oriented touchscreen. The B6 R-Design model added flair with aluminum mesh speaker grilles and textured seats, while the Inscription trim offered Nappa leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan, following updates in 2022, remained largely unchanged. Available in various trims, including the sportier R-Line versions, the Tiguan offered a range of exterior and interior colour options, though choices were limited by trim level. Our test vehicle, in U.S. specification, featured Atlantic Blue paint and Storm Grey leather seats, a combination not available in Canada. Standard equipment included keyless entry, remote start, and an 8-way power driver’s seat. The Highline R-Line trim stood out with its sporty appearance, 20-inch wheels, adaptive front lighting, and a light bar across the grille. Inside, the Tiguan boasted an upscale cabin with quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, though some materials reflected its mid-$30,000s base price.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains, replacing the previous T5 and T6 versions. Both powertrains combined a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt electrical system, adding 13 horsepower in short bursts. The B6 variant also featured an electric supercharger, delivering 295 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The XC60 B5 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, while the B6 achieved it in 5.9 seconds. The XC60's standout features included a quiet cabin and comfortable ride, enhanced by optional air suspension. The plug-in hybrid XC60 Recharge offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 5 seconds, while the Polestar Engineered version increased output to 415 hp and 494 lb-ft, reaching 60 mph in 4.9 seconds.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system was standard, offering various driving modes. The Tiguan's fuel economy averaged 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres, though our testing loop yielded 10.4 L/100 km. The Tiguan's powertrain provided adequate power, though passing slower vehicles required effort. The automatic transmission occasionally stumbled with delayed downshifts, and turbo lag was noticeable from a stop. Despite these quirks, the Tiguan's dynamic qualities were rewarding, with excellent tire grip and stable handling. The ride was compliant, and road noise communicated road texture, though an odd resonance was noted on a two-lane road.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 maintained its competitive passenger space, with above-average front-seat headroom but limited rear-seat headroom. Legroom was average for the segment. The mild-hybrid models offered 611 litres of cargo space with rear seats up and 1,410 litres with seats folded, while plug-in hybrids had slightly less capacity. The XC60 provided a commanding driving position with good visibility, aided by large exterior mirrors.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a roomy interior, with some configurations featuring a third-row seat. Our test vehicle had comfortable front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The dashboard's touch-sensing controls were less user-friendly, with reflections and placement issues. The Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with generous rear legroom and a cavernous cargo area. With AWD, the Tiguan offered 1,064 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 2,078 litres with seats folded, comparable to midsize SUVs.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 received a tech overhaul, featuring a 9-inch touchscreen with Android Automotive operating system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Android-specific features included Google Assistant voice control and Google Maps navigation. The system supported over-the-air updates and was compatible with iPhones, though without Google profile syncing. The digital instrument cluster offered a "Calm" setting to minimize distractions.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured digital instrumentation, with R-Line trims offering a 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and a nine-speaker Fender sound system. However, the system's user interface was complex, with multi-step processes for simple tasks. The voice-recognition system underperformed, likely due to inactive subscriptions. The navigation map required manual adjustments to display on the centre screen.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA for 2022, but the 2021 model received top ratings. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. An optional driver assistance system combined adaptive cruise control and lane centring.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in safety features, with standard Front Assist and Side Assist, including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and more. The Tiguan's safety technology was effective and unobtrusive. However, NHTSA testing was incomplete, and the driver's door unlatched during a side-impact test. The IIHS awarded the 2023 Tiguan a Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2022, but this did not apply for 2023.