2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a more conservative exterior design compared to some of Hyundai's recent models. While it maintained an attractive appearance, it lacked the standout looks of other vehicles in the brand's lineup. The Santa Fe continued with the same design as the 2022 model, available in five trim levels: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. The Calligraphy AWD trim, tested in Stormy Sea paint with a black-on-black interior, had a base price of $42,600, with additional costs bringing the total MSRP to $45,845. The SUV's wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights were its most distinctive features, while the interior, though high-quality, was dark and monotone. The Nappa leather seats were comfortable and attractive, with standard heated and cooled front seats in the Calligraphy trim.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan, following updates in 2022, remained largely unchanged. It was available in S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims, with prices ranging from $26,950 to $37,680, plus a $1,295 destination charge. The SEL R-Line trim, tested in Atlantic Blue with Storm Gray leather, had a total MSRP of $38,975. The Tiguan offered a sporty appearance with 20-inch machined-finish wheels and adaptive front lighting. Inside, the cabin featured quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof. Despite some materials reflecting its lower base price, the overall look was upscale. The Tiguan's design was conservatively drawn but aging gracefully, with excellent outward visibility and nimble handling.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque for the SE, SEL, and XRT trims, and a turbocharged version for the Limited and Calligraphy trims, delivering 281 hp and 311 pound-feet. The turbocharged engine provided a significant performance boost, with immediate acceleration and passing power, especially in Sport mode. The Santa Fe's handling was smooth, with minimal body lean, and the turbocharged model could tow up to 3,500 pounds with trailer brakes.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The SEL R-Line trim included AWD as standard, with various driving modes for different conditions. The Tiguan's powertrain was adequate but not the smoothest, with some turbo lag and delayed downshifts. However, its dynamic qualities were rewarding, with excellent tire grip and stable handling. The Tiguan averaged 22.6 mpg in testing, slightly below the EPA's 24 mpg estimate.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, offered ample rear-seat legroom of 41.7 inches and competitive cargo space of 36.4 cubic feet, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet. The interior featured comfortable seats, dual-zone climate control, and a hands-free smart liftgate. The Calligraphy trim added a head-up display, premium trim, and ambient lighting. However, the driver's seat position could be uncomfortable for some, and the wide center console limited leg space.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan provided a roomy interior, with FWD models offering a third-row seat. The SEL R-Line trim had comfortable front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The dashboard's touch-sensing controls were less user-friendly, but the Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space. With AWD, it offered 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expandable to 73.4 cubic feet. The hands-free power liftgate and adjustable load floor added convenience.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in technology, with a standard 4.2-inch display in lower trims and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in higher trims. Infotainment options included an 8-inch display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the base trim, while higher trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The voice-recognition system had mixed results, particularly with music and temperature commands.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured digital instrumentation, with an 8-inch display in most trims and a 10.25-inch display in the SEL R-Line. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and a nine-speaker Fender audio system. However, the user interface was complex, with multi-step processes for simple tasks. The voice-recognition system underperformed, likely due to inactive subscriptions.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Highway Driving Assist was standard on SEL and above trims. The Santa Fe received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for 2022.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered standard Front Assist and Side Assist, with additional safety features in the IQ.Drive package. This included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Emergency Assist. The Tiguan's safety technology was effective, but NHTSA testing was incomplete, and the driver's door unlatched during a side-impact test. The IIHS gave the 2023 Tiguan a Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2022, but this did not apply for 2023.