2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Volvo XC90

The 2022 Volvo XC90 represented a significant evolution from the brand's earlier boxy designs, maintaining its family-friendly and safety-oriented image while moving towards the luxury class. After Volvo's acquisition by China's Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the company developed new vehicle platforms, including the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) for the XC90, which debuted as a 2016 model. The 2022 XC90 showcased a sleek and athletic profile, with a long roofline and pronounced wheel arches. Its design elements, such as the "Thor's Hammer" LED headlights, paid homage to its Swedish heritage. Inside, the XC90 offered a luxurious "Scandinavian Modern" interior with natural wood and metal trim, and options for Nappa leather or a tailored wool blend upholstery.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan, following updates in 2022, remained largely unchanged. It was available in various trims, including the sportier R-Line versions. Despite offering a range of exterior and interior colours, the Tiguan's choices were limited by trim level. Our test vehicle featured Atlantic Blue paint and Storm Grey leather seats, a combination not available in Canada unless opting for the Highline R-Line trim. The Tiguan's design was conservative yet aging gracefully, with features like adaptive front lighting and a light bar across the grille. Inside, the cabin was upscale, with quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, though some materials reminded of its mid-$30,000s base price.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains: the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version delivering 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, and the Recharge plug-in hybrid combining gasoline and electric power for a total of 455 hp and 523 lb-ft. All models featured all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The XC90's fuel efficiency varied, with the T5 achieving 10.1 L/100 km combined, the T6 at 10.8 L/100 km, and the Recharge offering 8.8 L/100 km in hybrid mode. The Recharge's electric range extended up to 58 kilometres. The XC90's driving experience was superb, with minimal body roll and spirited acceleration, especially in the Recharge Inscription extended range model.

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 Tiguan came standard with VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, offering various driving modes. The Tiguan's fuel economy was rated at 9.8 L/100 km combined, though our testing loop yielded 10.4 L/100 km. The Tiguan's powertrain had quirks, such as turbo lag and delayed downshifts, but its dynamic qualities were rewarding, with excellent tire grip and stable handling. The ride was compliant, and the Tiguan provided good road feel, though road noise was noticeable.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered six- and seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row. However, the third row was best suited for children due to limited legroom. The XC90's cargo capacity varied, with up to 1,855 litres available with the second and third rows folded. It could tow up to 2,250 kilograms, suitable for light trailers. The XC90's interior was spacious, with ample storage and a standard panoramic moonroof. The climate control system performed well, even in extreme heat, and the XC90 was equipped for winter with heated seats and a heated steering wheel.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan provided a roomy interior, with some configurations offering a third-row seat. Our test vehicle featured comfortable front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The Tiguan's dashboard had questionable ergonomics, with touch-sensing controls that were difficult to use. However, the Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with generous rear legroom and a cavernous cargo area. 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 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. While intuitive, the system was occasionally glitchy. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, and the Advanced package added a head-up display and a 360-degree camera. The XC90 included multiple USB ports for device charging.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan came with digital instrumentation, with R-Line trims featuring a 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system had an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a Fender premium sound system. However, 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 2022 Volvo XC90 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and Pilot Assist. It received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, earning the Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall rating.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a robust set of safety features, including Front Assist, Side Assist, and IQ.Drive, which added adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The Tiguan's safety technology was effective, though its crash-test ratings were incomplete. The IIHS awarded the 2022 model a Top Safety Pick+ rating, but this did not apply to the 2023 model.