2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Land Rover Defender

In Canada, the 2023 Land Rover Defender was a popular choice, outselling the Land Rover Discovery by a significant margin. Despite being similar in size and price, the Defender's boxy design reminiscent of the old LR4 appealed more to customers than the Discovery's Ford-like appearance. The Defender's design was characterized by its square-jawed face, rectangular hood and doors, and abruptly chopped tail, all of which contributed to its classic truck aesthetic. Tasteful accents like the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and the body-colour square separating the side glass paid homage to the original 1980s Defender. The Defender was available in three body styles: 90, 110, and 130, offering a range of choices for consumers.

The interior of the Defender was designed with function and durability in mind, featuring rubbers and plastics that resisted stains and moisture. Despite its high price, the interior was basic, with exposed screws and plain-looking air vents, maintaining the Defender's hardcore character. The build quality and fit were excellent, but the Defender's price was comparable to a Range Rover without the same level of opulence. Nevertheless, the Defender continued to sell well in Canada, indicating that its unique character and design resonated with many consumers.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan, following updates in 2022, remained largely unchanged for 2023. In Canada, it was available in Trendline, Comfortline, Comfortline R-Line Black, and Highline R-Line trims, with prices ranging from $36,675 to $47,175, plus a destination charge. The Tiguan offered a variety of exterior and interior colours, alloy wheel designs, and upholstery options, though choices were restricted based on trim level. Our test vehicle, equivalent to the Canadian Highline R-Line trim, featured Atlantic Blue paint and Storm Grey leather seats, a combination not available in Canada unless ordered in the Highline R-Line trim.

The Tiguan's standard equipment included keyless entry, remote start, and an 8-way power driver's seat. The Highline R-Line trim was favoured for its sporty appearance and 20-inch machined-finish wheels. The design was conservatively drawn but aging gracefully, with adaptive front lighting and a light bar across the grille. Inside, the cabin was upscale, with quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, soft-touch materials, digital instrumentation, and a panoramic sunroof. The Tiguan's construction was robust, feeling solidly assembled.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled off-road, with its uncanny grip, wheel articulation, and clearance. Its air suspension allowed it to tackle almost any path, though most owners would not use its full capabilities. On-road, the Defender's performance was less impressive, with excessive body roll, slow steering, and wind noise. The turbocharged inline-six and supercharged V8 engines provided ample power, with the V8 delivering 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. The six-cylinder engine, part of a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain, offered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, while the four-cylinder engine was less powerful at 296 hp and 295 lb-ft. Fuel economy varied, with the V8 being the least efficient.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with 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. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with an Individual mode for customization. Fuel economy was rated at 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, though our testing loop returned 10.4 L/100 km. 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 provided a good road feel without being too firm, and its ride and handling were well-balanced.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was exceptional as an everyday SUV, offering unmatched seating configurations. The Defender 90 could seat six with a jump seat, while the 110 and 130 offered optional and standard third rows, respectively. The Defender 130 had a panoramic moonroof and ample cargo space, with 2,180 litres available with the third row folded. The Defender's large glass areas provided excellent visibility, and it offered various features like a console refrigerator, heated windshield, and power-deployable side steps.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was a roomy and affordable SUV, with certain configurations offering a standard 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, but the Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space. The rear seat offered generous legroom, headroom, and foot room, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The cargo area was spacious, with 1,064 litres available behind the second row and 2,078 litres with the seats folded.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software. The standard 10-inch screen was wide and integrated into the dashboard, while the optional 11.4-inch screen was larger and more legible. Both screens offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a voice assistant, and connected apps. The Defender also included heated front seats, keyless entry, and heated power-folding mirrors. Higher trims added features like air suspension, a head-up display, and a rearview mirror with a camera display.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan had digital instrumentation, with R-Line trims featuring a larger 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system's touchscreen measured 6.5 inches in lower trims and 8 inches in higher trims, with features like Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a nine-speaker Fender premium sound system. The system's user interface was complex, with multi-layer processes for simple tasks. The voice-recognition system was not fully functional in our test vehicle, but the Tiguan's technology offered a range of features.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. agencies but received five stars in Euro NCAP crash testing. It was equipped with six airbags, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included a digital instrument panel with full-screen maps, a head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system.

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, and lane-keeping assist. The Tiguan's safety technology was effective and rarely issued false alerts. However, its crash-test ratings were incomplete, with concerns about the driver's door unlatching during a side-impact test.