2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Ford Bronco

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan, following its 2022 updates, remained largely unchanged. In Canada, it was available in Trendline, Comfortline, Comfortline R-Line Black, and Highline R-Line trims, with the R-Line versions offering sportier styling. Prices ranged from $36,675 to $47,175, plus a $2,050 destination charge. The U.S. specification test vehicle was similar to the Canadian Highline R-Line trim. Despite offering six exterior colours, four interior colours, four alloy wheel designs, and three upholstery types, choices were limited by trim level, complicating the selection of a preferred combination. The test vehicle featured Atlantic Blue paint and Storm Grey leather seats, a combination unavailable in Canada unless opting for the Highline R-Line trim. Standard features included keyless entry with remote start and an 8-way power driver’s seat. The Highline R-Line trim was favoured for its sporty look and 20-inch machined-finish wheels, offering a design that aged gracefully. Inside, the cabin was upscale, with quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, soft-touch materials, digital instrumentation, and a panoramic sunroof, all contributing to a solidly assembled feel.

The 2023 Ford Bronco was offered in nine trims: Base, Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, Badlands, Heritage Edition, Wildtrak, Heritage Limited Edition, and Raptor. Each trim shared a blend of retro-cool styling and modern engineering, with a blocky shape, wide grille, and round headlights. The Base trim had a primitive look with steel wheels, while the Raptor stood out with a wide stance and massive tires. The Heritage Edition featured a throwback white grille, roof, and wheels, with plaid seat upholstery. The Everglades trim was not available for 2023. The Bronco's styling was functional, with cleats above the headlights for securing cargo and providing a clear view of the vehicle's corners. The interior continued the rugged theme with a broad dash, sealed switches, and drain plugs for easy cleaning. The materials prioritized durability over luxury, with some creaking over bumps, but it was quieter than a Jeep Wrangler.

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, offering Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, along with an Individual mode for dynamic settings. The AWD system had Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings, varying power distribution between the front and rear wheels. The Tiguan's fuel economy was rated at 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres, but testing showed 10.4 L/100 km. The turbo-four engine provided adequate power, but lacked force at higher revs, with turbo lag from a stop. The automatic transmission had delayed downshifts, and Sport mode reduced fuel efficiency. The Tiguan's dynamic qualities were rewarding, with light and lively steering, excellent tire grip, and stable handling. The ride was compliant, with minimal road noise, and visibility was excellent due to thin windshield pillars.

The 2023 Ford Bronco offered three engine choices: a 2.3-litre four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, a twin-turbo 2.7-litre V6 with 330 hp and 415 lb-ft, and a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 in the Raptor with 418 hp and 440 lb-ft. All engines came with a four-wheel drive system and a two-speed transfer case. The base engine was adequate for most driving, while the 2.7-litre V6 suited the heavier four-door model. The Raptor's engine was powerful but excessive. The Bronco's ride was bouncier than a typical SUV but more stable than a Jeep Wrangler, with quieter interiors. The high-riding dimensions required care on curving roads, but the Bronco felt confident. Maneuvering the four-door model was easier with several cameras.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a roomy interior, with some configurations featuring a third-row seat. The test vehicle had comfortable front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, along with a heated steering wheel. Storage space was generous, though the centre armrest bin was small. The dashboard had questionable ergonomics, with touch-sensing controls that were difficult to use. The Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with large rear door openings and a spacious back seat. The cargo area was cavernous, with an adjustable load floor and handy features. With AWD, the Tiguan held 1,064 litres of cargo behind the second row and 2,078 litres behind the front seats.

The 2023 Ford Bronco's boxy shape provided ample interior space. The four-door model was recommended for shuttling more than one passenger, as accessing the rear seats in the two-door required effort. The front offered plenty of storage options, with netted door pockets and a rubberized tray. The two-door Bronco had 634 litres of cargo space, while the four-door offered 1,008 litres. The rear seats didn't fold flat, creating a step-up that hindered sliding longer cargo. The fenders and doors were easily removable, appealing to off-roaders.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured digital instrumentation, with an 8-inch display on most trims and a 10.25-inch display on R-Line trims. The larger display offered a sophisticated appearance and a full-panel navigation map. The infotainment system had a 6.5-inch touchscreen on lower trims and an 8-inch touchscreen on others, with features like Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a nine-speaker Fender sound system. The system's user interface was complex, with multi-step processes for simple tasks. The voice-recognition system underperformed, likely due to inactive subscriptions.

The 2023 Ford Bronco used technology to enhance off-road abilities, with G.O.A.T. drive modes optimizing engine and suspension settings. Camera views were indispensable in tight spaces, and the Trail Turn Assist feature allowed sharp turns. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an available 12-inch display.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered standard Front Assist and Side Assist, with features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more. The Tiguan's safety technology worked well, but crash-test ratings were incomplete, with concerns about the driver's door unlatching during a side-impact test. The IIHS gave the 2023 Tiguan a Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2022, but not for 2023.

The 2023 Ford Bronco received partial NHTSA crash-test results, with four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection. The IIHS awarded it "Good" in most tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, hill-start assist, and more. The Mid package added driver assistance features, while the High and Luxe packages offered additional options.