2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid

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 exclusive to the Highline R-Line trim in Canada. 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, with adaptive front lighting and a light bar across the grille enhancing its appeal. Inside, the cabin exuded an upscale feel with quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, soft-touch materials, digital instrumentation, and a panoramic sunroof, all contributing to a solidly constructed vehicle.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid marked a significant styling shift for the sixth-generation model, presenting a more assertive and truck-like appearance. It was longer and wider than its predecessor, with a more muscular stance. The classic D-pillar taillights were updated to feature three L shapes, complementing the blockier rear end and bolder front fascia. The U.S. equivalent of the Hybrid Touring trim was tested in Canyon River Blue, featuring black roof rails, mirrors, dual chrome exhaust finishers, and black wheels. The interior design aligned with the 2022 Civic and 2023 HR-V, featuring a honeycomb grille across the dash. The Hybrid Touring cabin boasted high-quality materials and attractive contrast stitching. The CR-V Hybrid was equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen, physical volume knob, and hard Seek buttons for tuning, reflecting Honda's commitment to user-friendly controls. The vehicle offered a comprehensive suite of features, including USB ports, Bluetooth, dual-zone climate control, heated seats, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system, with the Hybrid Touring trim also featuring Honda’s smart navigation system.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, the 4Motion AWD system was standard, offering Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes. The AWD system featured Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings, with the ability to send up to 50% of power to the rear wheels. The Tiguan R-Line trims had a combined fuel economy rating of 9.8 L/100 km, though testing showed 10.4 L/100 km. The turbo-four engine provided adequate power, but higher revs revealed limited motive force, and the automatic transmission occasionally stumbled with delayed downshifts. Sport mode improved performance slightly but reduced fuel efficiency. The Tiguan’s dynamic qualities were commendable, with excellent tire grip, stable handling, and a comfortable ride. Road noise was present, and an odd resonance was noted during testing. The Tiguan offered excellent visibility and nimble handling, aided by thin windshield pillars and variable-assist steering. The Highline R-Line trim, with its large wheels and tires, was particularly enjoyable to drive.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a new hybrid powertrain combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, delivering 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. This made it the most powerful CR-V to date, with a top speed of 185 km/h and a towing capacity of 450 kg. The hybrid used a CVT and introduced a fourth drive mode, Snow, alongside Sport, Normal, and Econ. The updated Real Time AWD system could send up to 50% of torque to the rear wheels, and the CR-V Hybrid included a hill-descent control system. A new “B” shifter position enhanced regenerative braking, offering a one-pedal driving experience. The CR-V Hybrid’s fuel economy was rated at 6.0 L/100 km in the city, 6.9 on the highway, and 6.4 combined, significantly better than the non-hybrid models. The hybrid powertrain provided a responsive driving experience, particularly for highway merging, and the vehicle’s drive modes adjusted accelerator response for smoother operation.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a spacious interior, with certain configurations including a standard third-row seat. However, the third row reduced cargo space, so opting for a two-row model provided one of the largest cargo areas in the compact SUV class. The test vehicle featured 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’s touch-sensing controls were problematic, with reflective gloss black plastic hampering usability. The Climatronic Touch climate control panel was poorly positioned, and the touch-sensing steering-wheel controls were difficult to use. Despite these issues, the Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with large rear door openings, ample legroom, headroom, and foot room. The hands-free power liftgate revealed a cavernous cargo area, with adjustable load floor height and handy features for organizing luggage. The AWD model offered 1,064 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 2,078 litres with the seats folded, comparable to some midsize SUVs.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid’s larger exterior translated to increased interior volume, with 1,028 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 2,030 litres with them folded. This was slightly less than the gas-only CR-V but comparable to competitors like the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid. The Touring model featured a hands-free power tailgate, and all CR-Vs had wide-opening rear doors for easy access. The improved LATCH system was beneficial for families frequently moving car seats. Rear seat legroom increased by 1.5 cm, offering 1,042 mm total, and the reclining rear seats provided eight positions for comfort and cargo accommodation. Headroom was slightly lower than some rivals but offset by a standard power moonroof. The cabin included a cubby for smartphones, eight cupholders, and a console with best-in-class storage.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured digital instrumentation, with R-Line trims offering a larger 10.25-inch display. The display was impressive, especially with the full-panel navigation map. The infotainment system had a 6.5-inch touchscreen in lower trims and an 8-inch touchscreen in others, with touch-sensitive buttons and physical control knobs. The top-of-line test vehicle included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, Car-Net services, SiriusXM, and a nine-speaker Fender sound system. However, the system’s user interface was complex, with multi-layer processes for simple tasks. The voice-recognition system underperformed, likely due to inactive subscriptions, and the navigation map required manual adjustments to display on the desired screen.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid prioritized user-friendly controls, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen featuring physical volume and tuning knobs. The EX-L and Hybrid Touring trims had a 9-inch touchscreen with a volume knob and hard Seek buttons. The CR-V Hybrid was well-equipped, with USB ports, Bluetooth, dual-zone climate control, heated seats, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Hybrid Touring trim included Honda’s smart navigation system, optimizing fuel efficiency based on the route. The vehicle’s technology package was comprehensive, offering convenience and connectivity for drivers and passengers.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in safety features and driver assistance technologies, offering systems often found in luxury models. Standard features included Front Assist with forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking, as well as Side Assist with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Automatic Post Collision Braking System helped avoid secondary impacts. The IQ.Drive package, standard on most models, added adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. These systems worked seamlessly, providing a refined driving experience. However, the Tiguan’s crash-test ratings were incomplete, with concerns about the driver’s door unlatching during a side-impact test. The IIHS awarded the 2023 Tiguan a Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2022, but this did not apply for 2023.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid included the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies, with improved collision mitigation, road-departure mitigation, and lane-keeping assist systems. New features for 2023 included traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, and low-speed braking control. Blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitor were standard, though some trims lacked these features due to parts shortages. The CR-V Hybrid also had a rear-seat reminder and rear seatbelt reminder. The vehicle’s safety was enhanced by new airbags, dashboard patches, and a stiffer structure, contributing to its Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and five-star rating from the NHTSA.