2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was described as modernist and reductive, emphasizing a clean and simple design. It offered limited flashy options, such as Firenze Red paint and diamond-turned 23-inch wheels. The test vehicle featured Eiger Grey paint, silver wheels, and a Black Exterior Pack, exuding understated luxury. Inside, it showcased a Deep Garnet over Ebony theme with aluminum and shiny black trim. The Range Rover Sport was available in Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, Autobiography, and the sold-out SV Edition One. The Dynamic SE test vehicle included heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and other features, pushing the MSRP over $120,000. Notable design elements included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology taillights. The interior boasted a luxurious, high-tech appearance with sustainable Ultrafabrics and Windsor leather upholstery.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan, following updates in 2022, remained mostly unchanged. In Canada, it was offered 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 test vehicle, equivalent to the Canadian Highline R-Line, arrived in Atlantic Blue paint with Storm Grey leather seats. However, customization options were limited by trim level. Standard features included keyless entry, remote start, and an 8-way power driver’s seat. The Highline R-Line trim stood out for its sporty appearance and 20-inch wheels. It featured adaptive front lighting and a light bar across the grille. Inside, the cabin offered quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, soft-touch materials, digital instrumentation, and a panoramic sunroof, displaying robust construction and upscale appeal.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed for refinement, comfort, and driver-focused engagement. It featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was available in the Autobiography trim, offering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft. The sold-out SV Edition One had a 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine. A fully electric version was expected in 2024. The test vehicle’s 395-hp engine accelerated to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. It could tow 3,500 kilograms. Fuel efficiency averaged 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres, with a suburban highway drive returning 9.4 L/100 km. The Range Rover Sport featured a new vehicle architecture, adaptive damping air suspension, and various driving modes. However, it struggled against sport-tuned SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz on twisty roads. Off-road, it excelled with advanced suspension and technology, offering a 90 cm wading depth and impressive ground clearance.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 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. Drivers could choose between Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with additional settings for on-road and off-road conditions. The Tiguan averaged 10.4 L/100 km during testing. The turbo-four engine provided adequate power but lacked force at higher revs. The automatic transmission occasionally stumbled with delayed downshifts. The Tiguan’s dynamic qualities were rewarding, with light and lively steering, excellent tire grip, and stable handling. It offered a compliant ride without unwanted body motions. Road noise was present, and an odd resonance was noted on certain roads. The Tiguan provided excellent outward visibility and was easy to park, aided by a surround-view camera and parking sensors.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained the Range Rover Command Driving Position, offering a tall, airy feel. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit. The front seats were comfortable, with 20-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat was less hospitable, with limited legroom and hard seatback panels. The cargo area offered 903 litres of space, expandable to 1,500 litres with the rear seats folded. A power liftgate and various storage solutions were included.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan provided a roomy interior with comfortable front seats offering eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The dashboard had questionable ergonomics, with touch-sensing controls that were difficult to use. The rear seat offered generous legroom, headroom, and foot room. The cargo area was spacious, with 1,064 litres of space behind the second row and 2,078 litres with the seats folded. The hands-free power liftgate and adjustable load floor added convenience.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system was confusing and frustrating to use. The Meridian audio systems and Active Noise Cancellation were highlights. A wireless smartphone charging pad was included.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan had digital instrumentation, with R-Line trims featuring a 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, 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, lacking a data connection for certain features.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also had automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist were less satisfactory, with slow responses and poor performance on curves.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered standard Front Assist and Side Assist, including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more. The safety technology worked well, with smooth adaptive cruise control and reliable Travel Assist. However, crash-test ratings were incomplete, with concerns about the driver’s door unlatching during a side-impact test.