2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Hyundai Palisade

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, as Hyundai's largest SUV, presented a striking presence on the road, especially after its 2023 styling update. The new front fascia, with its bold strokes and squared-off grille, gave the Palisade a more commanding look. Standard LED accents, daytime running lights, and headlights enhanced its visual appeal, while the Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured premium rear accent lighting and a unique glossy black and chrome grille. The 20-inch alloy wheels, standard across Canadian models, added a premium touch, particularly in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim with its new multi-spoke design. The interior of the Palisade was equally impressive, with premium Nappa leather in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim and a dual-pane sunroof that brightened the cabin. The seating configurations allowed for either seven or eight passengers, with second-row captain’s chairs available on higher trims.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained its design from the previous year, offering a range of trims in Canada, including the sportier R-Line versions. The Tiguan's exterior featured six colour options and four interior colours, but choices were limited by trim level. Our test vehicle, in Atlantic Blue with Storm Grey leather seats, showcased the Tiguan's upscale interior, despite some ergonomic challenges with touch-sensing controls. The Highline R-Line trim, with its sporty appearance and 20-inch machined-finish wheels, provided a sophisticated look. Inside, the Tiguan offered quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, contributing to an upscale feel. However, the touch-sensing controls for climate and steering wheel functions were less user-friendly, detracting from the overall experience.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This made it more powerful than several competitors, including the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen Atlas. The Palisade's eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard paddle shifters, provided smooth gear changes. In Canada, the standard all-wheel-drive system, HTRAC, demonstrated its capability during a muddy off-road test. The Palisade offered a comfortable ride, with a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds) and a dedicated Tow Mode. Fuel economy was rated at 12.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 9.5 on the highway, and 11.2 combined.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission, paired with VW’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, and Sport. The Tiguan's fuel economy was estimated at 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, though our testing loop returned 10.4 L/100 km. While the Tiguan's powertrain was adequate for most situations, it struggled with passing and quick acceleration. The ride quality was compliant, with excellent tire grip and stable handling. However, the brake pedal required more effort than expected, and road noise was noticeable in the cabin.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade offered generous interior space, comfortably seating seven or eight passengers. It provided 1,052 millimetres of legroom in the front row, 1,077 in the second, and 798 in the third, surpassing the Toyota Highlander. The Palisade's passenger volume measured 4,397 litres, with cargo space ranging from 509 litres behind the third row to 2,447 litres with all but the front-row seats folded. The hands-free smart liftgate, standard on all but the base trim, added convenience. The Palisade's interior was designed for comfort, with HVAC vents in all three rows and ample storage options.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan, known for its spaciousness, offered a roomy interior with comfortable front seats featuring eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The Tiguan's dashboard, however, had ergonomic issues with touch-sensing controls. The rear seats provided generous legroom, headroom, and foot room, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The cargo area was versatile, with an adjustable load floor and ample storage space. With AWD, the Tiguan offered 1,064 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 2,078 litres with the rear seats folded, comparable to some midsize SUVs.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade impressed with its technology offerings, featuring a standard 12.3-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and more. The premium Harman Kardon audio system was standard on higher trims, and the Palisade offered multiple USB ports and a wireless charger. The digital instrument cluster and in-car intercom enhanced the driving experience, while the Bluelink connected vehicle system provided remote accessibility and management features.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with digital instrumentation, with R-Line trims featuring a larger 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims, included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Fender premium sound system. However, the system's user interface was complex, with multi-layer processes for simple tasks. The voice-recognition system underperformed, and the touch-sensing controls added unnecessary complexity.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, thanks to its comprehensive Smart Sense suite of safety features. Standard features included forward collision avoidance, driver attention warning, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance were newly standard, along with adaptive cruise control. The Palisade also offered Highway Driving Assist and a full-display digital rearview mirror on higher trims.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in safety features, with standard Front Assist and Side Assist, including forward collision warning and blind-spot monitoring. The IQ.Drive package, standard on most trims, added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more. The Tiguan's safety technology was effective and user-friendly, though its crash-test ratings were incomplete at the time of review. The IIHS had previously awarded the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick+ rating for the 2022 calendar year.