2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2023 Acura MDX presented a sophisticated yet subtle design, especially in its Type S Ultra trim. This model featured a turbocharged engine and a luxurious interior with quilted leather and aluminum trim. The exterior boasted chicane-design LED lights and 21-inch wheels, giving it a commanding presence. However, some design choices, like the gloss black plastic on the dashboard, made it difficult to use certain controls. Despite its luxury appeal, the MDX Type S had some shortcomings in terms of quality and driving dynamics, which did not fully meet the high expectations set by its price.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained a conservative yet graceful design, with sporty R-Line trims offering a more dynamic appearance. The Tiguan's exterior was complemented by 20-inch wheels and adaptive front lighting. Inside, the cabin was upscale, featuring quality leather upholstery and soft-touch materials. The Tiguan's design was practical, with excellent visibility and a spacious interior. However, the limited customization options based on trim levels restricted the ability to personalize the vehicle's look.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, producing 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. This was a significant increase over the standard MDX's 3.5-litre V6. The Type S featured a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, which could direct up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel. Despite these enhancements, the MDX Type S struggled to deliver a cohesive driving experience. The transmission was indecisive, and the ride lacked compliance, with squealing tires and poor brake pedal modulation. Fuel economy was also disappointing, averaging 13.9 litres per 100 kilometres during testing.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, generating 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with an Individual mode for custom settings. While the powertrain wasn't the smoothest, the Tiguan's dynamic qualities were rewarding, with excellent tire grip and stable handling. Fuel economy was reasonable, averaging 10.4 litres per 100 kilometres during testing. The Tiguan's ride was compliant, providing a good balance between comfort and road feel.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered a spacious interior with three rows of seats and flexible second-row configurations. The Type S Ultra trim featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. However, the seats were firm and didn't provide the expected support during spirited driving. The MDX's third row was best suited for children, and the cabin's design prioritized style over storage space. The cargo area was generous, with 461 litres of space behind the third row and up to 2,021 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with large rear door openings and a roomy back seat. The front seats were comfortable, with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. However, the dashboard's touch-sensing controls were a usability challenge. The Tiguan's cargo area was cavernous, offering 1,064 litres of space behind the second row and 2,078 litres with the rear seats folded. The absence of a third-row seat in AWD models allowed for more cargo capacity.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. However, the infotainment system relied on a True Touchpad Interface (TTI) instead of a touchscreen, which was less intuitive. The MDX offered Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In. The top-tier ELS Studio 3D audio system delivered impressive sound quality. A 10.5-inch head-up display was available with higher trims, but the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread signs.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan came with digital instrumentation, with R-Line trims featuring a 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a nine-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the system's user interface was complex, with multi-layer processes for simple tasks. The voice-recognition system was not fully functional in the test vehicle, limiting its usefulness.

The 2023 Acura MDX was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including collision mitigation braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It also had rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The MDX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. However, the MDX experienced a false collision warning during testing, which was concerning.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a robust set of safety features, including Front Assist, Side Assist, and an Automatic Post Collision Braking System. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Emergency Assist. The Tiguan's safety technology was effective and rarely issued false alerts. However, the NHTSA's crash-test ratings were incomplete, and the Tiguan's driver's door unlatched during a side-impact test. The IIHS gave the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2022, but this did not apply for 2023.