Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was priced at just over $50,000 for the base Hybrid LE, with the Limited trim reaching $61,800 in Canada. It featured standard all-wheel drive and offered various upgrades, including a Special Edition package for the XLE AWD and a Platinum package for the Limited. The exterior design was bold, with exaggerated forms and a new Cypress Green paint colour. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid's cabin was characterized by oversized elements, such as a 12.3-inch touchscreen and large climate control knobs. However, the interior quality was questionable, with mismatched textures, reflections, and inexpensive-feeling controls. Despite these drawbacks, the Highlander Hybrid provided a quiet ride on the road.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a more premium appearance, with LED headlights and taillights as standard features. The Highline R-Line trim, which was tested, included silver roof rails and an illuminated grille light line. The Tiguan's exterior design was stylish, with the model name centred on the rear end. The interior offered various colour options, and the base Trendline trim came with heated front seats and cloth upholstery. Higher trims added features like leatherette upholstery, a power tailgate, and a panoramic sunroof. The Highline R-Line trim further upgraded to real leather, front-seat ventilation, and a heated steering wheel. Overall, the Tiguan's design and features contributed to its premium feel.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators, producing 243 combined horsepower. It featured standard all-wheel drive and regenerative brakes for battery charging. The Highlander Hybrid's electric assist motors aided acceleration, and an EV mode allowed for low-speed electric-only driving. However, the gas engine's 175 pound-feet of torque limited high-speed passing power. The SUV could tow up to 1,588 kilograms, but its power was insufficient for heavy loads. The Highlander Hybrid offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with a Trail mode for light off-road use. Its Predictive Efficient Drive system aimed to maximize fuel efficiency, but real-world consumption was higher than expected. The Highlander Hybrid provided a smooth and quiet ride, but its driving experience lacked excitement.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan featured 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, 4Motion all-wheel drive was standard. Fuel economy ratings were 10.6 L/100 km city, 8.0 highway, and 9.4 combined for non R-Line trims, and 10.9 L/100 km city, 8.1 highway, and 9.7 combined for R-Line trims. The Tiguan's power delivery was inconsistent, with turbo and transmission lag. The gas pedal was touchy, and the brake pedal had excessive travel. Steering was light but provided good visibility and handling. The Tiguan offered a comfortable ride, though seating surfaces drew complaints.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid accommodated seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim and configuration. Most models featured second-row captain's chairs, making the third row suitable for occasional use. Standard equipment included three-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats, with additional features like a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats in the Platinum package. The Highlander Hybrid offered power-adjustable front seats and comfortable second-row captain's chairs. However, accessing the third row was challenging, and the seats were uncomfortable for adults. The SUV provided 453 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,370 litres with the third row folded and 2,387 litres with the second row folded. Storage areas were unlined, and the centre armrest storage console was complex.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a two-row configuration with 1,064 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,078 litres with the rear seats folded. The optional third row reduced cargo space to 340 litres behind the third row, 934 litres with it folded, and 1,849 litres with only the front seats in position. Passenger space was minimally affected by the third row, with ample headroom and legroom in the first two rows. The third row was tighter, with limited headroom and legroom. Despite its compact size, the Tiguan was one of the few vehicles in its class to offer a third row, providing more space than the Mitsubishi Outlander.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display with various themes. However, the controls were not intuitive. The Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system featured an 8.0-inch touchscreen in lower trims and a 12.3-inch display in the Limited trim. It offered over-the-air updates, dual-device Bluetooth pairing, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Connected service plans were standard, with Remote Connect allowing remote access to vehicle functions. The Drive Connect service plan provided an Intelligent Assistant and cloud-based navigation. The test vehicle included a head-up display and an 11-speaker JBL sound system. The infotainment platform was user-friendly, but graphics lacked contrast.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan featured haptic touch slider buttons for climate control, which were responsive and easy to use. However, the physical volume knob's integrated on/off button was sensitive. The infotainment system relied on monochromatic graphics, accessed through an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims included wireless charging, while navigation was reserved for the top trim. The Digital Cockpit System was standard, with the R-Line trims offering a fully configurable 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro screen. The nine-speaker Fender Premium Audio System received positive feedback from an audiophile passenger.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid prioritized safety with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), a standard suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). TSS 2.5+ included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road sign assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. Limited and Platinum trims added parking sensors with automatic braking and a surround-view camera. The ADAS performed well, except in certain situations with unclear lane markings. Safety Connect provided emergency assistance and collision notification. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. Standard safety features in Canada included forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, emergency calling, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control, lane assist, and Emergency Assist were available in the Comfortline trim, offering semi-autonomous highway driving and parking assistance. Park Distance Control became standard at the Comfortline R-Line Black trim level, though its judgment was sometimes lacking. The Tiguan's safety features provided comprehensive protection for drivers and passengers.