2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a striking presence on the road, with its bold design inspired by the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. The SUV's exterior featured a traditional grille and front bumper, which distinguished it from the Tundra's more unconventional look. Inside, the Sequoia shared many design elements with the Tundra, offering an industrial yet upscale feel, especially in the Capstone trim. This trim level boasted a luxurious cream white-over-black two-tone interior, dominated by a 14-inch infotainment system. Despite its high-end appearance, some materials reminded drivers of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, each catering to different preferences and budgets, with the TRD Pro offering enhanced off-road capabilities.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan, on the other hand, exuded a premium European aesthetic that set it apart from its non-European competitors. The exterior featured standard LED headlights and taillights, with an illuminated grille light line on the Highline R-Line trim. The rear end showcased the model name in a stylish all-caps format. The Tiguan offered a range of trim levels, each with distinct features and colour options. The base Trendline trim came with heated front seats and cloth upholstery, while higher trims added leatherette or real leather, power-adjustable seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The Highline R-Line trim further enhanced comfort with front-seat ventilation and a heated steering wheel.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a powerful hybrid powertrain, featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and an electric motor/generator. This setup delivered an impressive 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque, allowing the Sequoia to tow up to 4,137 kilograms. The hybrid system also improved fuel efficiency, with a combined rating of 11.7 L/100 km in 4WD mode. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience to their preferences. However, the steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard 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, the Tiguan offered a smooth driving experience, although power delivery could be inconsistent. The Tiguan's fuel economy ratings were competitive, with a combined rating of 9.4 L/100 km in non R-Line configurations. The Tiguan's steering was light and responsive, making it easy to maneuver, while visibility and handling were commendable. However, the brake pedal had a lot of travel, and the seating surfaces drew some complaints from passengers.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable and quiet cabin with features like soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The Sequoia's interior was spacious, with power-deploying running boards for easier access. However, the third-row seat was less comfortable due to its high floor and low roof. Cargo space was limited, with only 325 litres available behind the third row, expandable to 2,460 litres with the second-row seats folded down. The hybrid powertrain's battery pack compromised overall utility, reducing cargo capacity compared to the previous generation.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a choice between two-row and three-row configurations, with the latter being an optional extra. The two-row Tiguan provided ample cargo space, with 1,064 litres available with all seats in place and 2,078 litres with the rear seats folded down. The three-row configuration reduced cargo space but maintained passenger comfort in the first two rows. The Tiguan's interior dimensions were competitive, with generous headroom and legroom for front and second-row passengers. The third row, however, was tight, making it suitable for occasional use.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base trim and a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system was intuitive and included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Capstone trim added a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. However, the infotainment system's glare and occasional bugs were noted during testing. The Sequoia's tech package also included a digital rearview mirror and parking sensors with automatic braking.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan's infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Digital Cockpit System was standard, with the R-Line trims offering a fully configurable 10.25-inch display. The Tiguan's tech package included USB-C ports, wireless charging, and a nine-speaker Fender Premium Audio System on higher trims. The haptic touch slider buttons for climate control were responsive, but the physical volume knob's design was less user-friendly. The infotainment system's monochromatic graphics felt out of place in an otherwise stylish vehicle.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking. While the Sequoia had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, the Tundra, on which it is based, received high ratings from the IIHS.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, indicating strong safety performance. Standard safety features included forward collision avoidance, emergency calling, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Comfortline trim added adaptive cruise control, lane assist, and Emergency Assist, providing semi-autonomous highway driving capabilities. Park Distance Control was standard on higher trims, although its performance was occasionally intrusive.