2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Lexus RX

The 2023 Lexus RX, built in Canada, marked its fifth generation with a design that was shorter in height, broader in width, and longer in wheelbase compared to its predecessor. Despite maintaining the same overall length, it offered more cargo space than the 2022 model, though still less than some competitors. The RX's exterior featured a spindle-style grille, a floating roof effect, and a light-blade taillight design, giving it a modern yet familiar look. Inside, the RX boasted a modern interior with fewer buttons, digital instrumentation, and a choice of touchscreen displays. The quality of materials was high, with options for genuine leather and simulated suede, making it a step up from the smaller Lexus NX.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan continued with minimal changes from the previous year, offering a range of trims with sportier R-Line options. The Tiguan's exterior was conservatively styled, aging gracefully with features like adaptive front lighting and a light bar across the grille. Inside, the Tiguan provided an upscale feel with quality leather upholstery, soft-touch materials, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the touch-sensing controls on the dashboard and steering wheel were less user-friendly, detracting from the overall experience. Despite this, the Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, offering generous room and practical storage solutions.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre inline four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine offered better torque and fuel economy than the previous V6, though it lacked the same smoothness. The RX 350 AWD could accelerate to 100 km/h in approximately 7.3 seconds, with a combined fuel economy estimate of 9.9 L/100 km. During testing, the RX 350 Executive trim showed occasional torque steer and body motion, while the F Sport 3 trim, with its adaptive suspension, provided a more stable and secure ride.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, also mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Tiguan's 4Motion AWD system offered various driving modes, and its fuel economy was estimated at 9.8 L/100 km in combined driving. During testing, the Tiguan achieved 10.4 L/100 km. While the engine provided adequate power, it struggled at higher revs, and the transmission occasionally delayed downshifts. Despite these quirks, the Tiguan's dynamic qualities, including excellent tire grip and stable handling, made it enjoyable to drive.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 offered comfortable seating with options for premium leather upholstery and sport seat bolsters in the F Sport 3 package. The RX 350 Executive trim featured ten-way power-adjustable seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and a sophisticated interior design. The back seat provided good leg support and room, though taller passengers might find headroom tight. The RX's cargo area measured 838 litres with the second row in place and 1,308 litres with the seats folded, an improvement over the previous model but still not class-leading.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with some configurations offering a third-row seat. The front seats were comfortable, with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. However, the dashboard's touch-sensing controls were less user-friendly. The Tiguan's rear seat provided generous legroom, headroom, and foot room, with additional amenities like air conditioning vents and USB ports. The cargo area was spacious, with 1,064 litres behind the second row and 2,078 litres with the seats folded, rivaling some midsize SUVs.

The 2023 Lexus RX featured the new Lexus Interface multimedia system with a choice of 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen displays. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and various connected services. The system allowed for user profiles and streaming music through embedded apps. However, the inability to view multiple data panels simultaneously was a drawback. The RX also offered a 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, digital instrumentation, and optional features like a head-up display and digital key technology.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan came with digital instrumentation, with R-Line trims featuring a larger 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a nine-speaker Fender sound system. However, the system's multi-layer processes and touch-sensing controls added complexity. The Tiguan's voice-recognition system was limited without an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription, making it less effective for hands-free operation.

The 2023 Lexus RX was equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems. Standard features included lane departure warning, automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. New additions included motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. Semi-autonomous driving technologies like Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were also available, though some features had limitations, such as the curve-speed reduction function.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a robust set of safety features, with standard Front Assist and Side Assist systems. The IQ.Drive package, standard on most trims, added adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, and semi-autonomous driving assist. The Tiguan's safety technology was effective and user-friendly, though crash-test ratings were incomplete at the time of review. The IIHS had previously awarded the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2022, but this did not apply to the 2023 model.