2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2024 Genesis GV80

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, remote start, and an 8-way power driver’s seat. The Highline R-Line trim was favoured for its sporty look and 20-inch wheels, with adaptive front lighting and a light bar across the grille enhancing its appeal. Inside, the Tiguan offered an upscale cabin with quality leather, artificial wood trim, soft-touch materials, digital instrumentation, and a panoramic sunroof, all contributing to a solidly assembled feel.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 offered a choice between the 2.5T and 3.5T models, with the Advanced trim available for both engines and the Prestige trim exclusive to the V6. Canadian prices ranged from $76,000 to $92,500, with all-inclusive pricing covering five years of scheduled maintenance and at-home concierge service. The test vehicle was a U.S. Prestige Signature trim, not available in Canada. The Prestige trim offered six exterior colours and stylish 22-inch wheels, with interior features like diamond-stitched Nappa leather, a suede headliner, and metallic accents exuding luxury. Ambient lighting, a 3D digital instrument cluster, and a wide touchscreen display underscored the GV80’s flagship status. The GV80 was unmistakably a luxury vehicle, though the Prestige Signature trim didn’t offer significant advantages over the regular Prestige trim, which might explain its absence from the Canadian market.

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, with driving modes including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual. The AWD system offered Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings, varying power distribution between the front and rear wheels. The Tiguan R-Line trims had a combined fuel economy of 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres, though testing showed 10.4 L/100 km. The turbo-four engine provided adequate power, but passing slower vehicles required effort, and the automatic transmission occasionally stumbled. The Tiguan’s dynamic qualities were rewarding, with light and lively steering, excellent tire grip, and stable handling. The ride was compliant, with road noise communicating road texture. Visibility was excellent, aided by thin windshield pillars and variable-assist steering, making the Tiguan nimble and easy to park.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 2.5T featured a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, outperforming some rivals’ V6 engines. The 3.5T model had a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque, offering satisfying performance but higher fuel consumption. The 3.5T included upgraded brakes and adaptive damping suspension. Both engines paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, with driving modes including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Custom, and Snow. The GV80 had 20.5 centimetres of ground clearance and a towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms. The 3.5T provided a rewarding driving experience, with swift acceleration and commendable grip from the P265/40R22 tires. The adaptive damping suspension and powerful V6 contributed to its athleticism, though the steering was unremarkable. The two-spoke steering wheel design was comfortable for long drives, with a retro luxury vibe.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was a roomy and affordable SUV, with certain configurations offering 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 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 in reflective gloss black plastic hampering usability. The Climatronic Touch climate control panel was poorly positioned, and touch-sensing steering-wheel controls were difficult to discern. The Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with large rear door openings and a spacious back seat. The hands-free power liftgate revealed a cavernous cargo area, with adjustable load floor height and handy features for convenience. With AWD, the Tiguan offered 1,064 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 2,078 litres behind the front seats.

In 2024, the GV80 3.5T Prestige was the only model offering a third-row seat. Depending on the trim, the GV80 featured real or Nappa leather, with standard heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, triple-zone climate control, and a power hands-free liftgate. The Prestige trim added rear seat ventilation and power-operated side window shades. Despite promising comfort, the seats were uncomfortable for long trips, with diamond-stitched surfaces feeling like bubble wrap. The rear seats didn’t recline far, limiting legroom. The cabin’s storage space was commendable, with 988 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 2,378 litres with the back seats folded.

Every 2023 Tiguan featured digital instrumentation, with R-Line trims having a larger 10.25-inch display. The larger display offered a sophisticated appearance and a full-panel navigation map. The infotainment system had a touchscreen display, with lower trims having a 6.5-inch screen and others an 8-inch screen. The top-of-line test vehicle included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, Car-Net connected services, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a nine-speaker Fender premium sound system. The system’s user interface was complex, with sub-menus creating multi-step processes for simple tasks. The voice-recognition system underperformed, likely due to inactive subscriptions. The unusual user interfaces introduced unnecessary complexity and distraction.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 offered traditional analog gauges, with the Prestige trim featuring a 12.3-inch digital display. All models had a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display, with a control dial on the centre console for ease of use. The standard infotainment package included a navigation system, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Genesis Connected Services and wireless smartphone charging were also standard. The voice-recognition system was easy to use, and the infotainment display was graphically pleasing and intuitive. The GV80 featured a digital key system and a Lexicon premium sound system, with a head-up display standard in Canada.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in safety features and driver assistance technologies, offering tech often found on luxury models. Standard features included Front Assist and Side Assist, with forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, 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. The Tiguan’s safety technology worked well, with Travel Assist performing smoothly. However, 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 Genesis GV80 came with numerous standard and available advanced driving-assistance systems. Highlights included a Blind-Spot View Monitor, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and Highway Driving Assist. Highway Driving Assist worked well in light or dense, slow-moving traffic, though less desirable in moderate to heavy traffic. The Blind-Spot View Monitor displayed a video feed within the digital instrument panel, providing a safety net when changing lanes. The Remote Smart Parking Assist system allowed the GV80 to park itself, even with the driver outside the vehicle. The GV80 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though the frontal-impact test earned four stars for driver and passenger seating positions.