2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet timeless design, characterized by its creased and symmetrical styling. This approach, while not overly emotive, appealed to those who appreciated simplicity and minimalism. The updated front styling aligned the Tiguan with Volkswagen’s larger models, featuring a restyled grille with the new VW logo and standard LED headlights. The SUV's exterior was further enhanced by redesigned aluminum wheels and new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate. The Tiguan lineup was simplified into four trims, with prices ranging from $25,995 to $36,995, plus a destination charge. The SEL R-Line trim, tested in Atlantic Blue Metallic, boasted a sportier look with 18-inch alloy wheels and a rich interior featuring leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and advanced technology. However, the use of hard plastic in the lower cabin areas hinted at its mass-market status.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia made a bold statement with its redesigned exterior, drawing inspiration from the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. The Sequoia's new creased and kinked body gave it a commanding presence, though its appeal was subjective. Inside, the Sequoia shared design elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the upscale Capstone trim. The dashboard was dominated by a 14-inch infotainment system, and the interior was available in a luxurious cream white-over-black color scheme. Despite its upscale appearance, some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included the SR5, Limited, Platinum, TRD Pro, and Capstone trims, with prices starting at $59,895 and reaching $79,895 for the Capstone with 4WD. The TRD Pro trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities, while the SR5 and Limited trims could be equipped with a TRD Off-Road Package for added versatility.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,900 rpm. Power was delivered to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the option for VW’s 4Motion AWD system. This system could direct up to half of the power to the rear wheels when needed, enhancing traction while conserving fuel when AWD was unnecessary. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings for 4Motion-equipped models. Despite its modest ground clearance of 7.6 inches, the Tiguan's Hill Descent Control system provided assistance on descents. The SUV's suspension and steering systems contributed to a nimble and responsive driving experience, though turbo lag was noticeable during acceleration. The Tiguan's fuel economy was rated at 24 mpg combined, with our test drive achieving 24.7 mpg.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a hybrid powertrain, combining a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This setup delivered 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 9,520 pounds, and its payload capacity rose to 1,730 pounds. Fuel efficiency improved, with the Sequoia achieving 20 mpg with 4WD and 22 mpg with RWD. Our test vehicle averaged 17.8 mpg on a mountainous evaluation loop. The Sequoia offered Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, with a Custom mode for personalized settings. The adaptive rear air suspension adjusted ride and handling characteristics, though the 22-inch wheels and low-profile tires affected ride quality. The Sequoia's steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt heavy and unresponsive, impacting overall driving dynamics.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among compact crossovers with its spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered a standard third-row seat in FWD models, while 4Motion-equipped versions did not. The SEL R-Line trim provided exceptional comfort with leather-wrapped, power-adjustable front seats, excellent outward visibility, and a panoramic sunroof. The second row was roomy and comfortable for adults, with rear air conditioning vents and a USB charging port. The switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard added sophistication but proved challenging to use. Cargo space was generous, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and a maximum of 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium sound system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The Sequoia's power-deploying running boards aided entry and exit, though taller passengers might find them cumbersome. The Platinum trim and above featured a panoramic sunroof, impacting second-row headroom. The second-row captain's chairs lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row legroom. The third-row seat, positioned above the battery pack, offered limited comfort and legroom. Cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with only 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 22.3 cubic feet. The adjustable cargo shelf provided flexibility, but the overall cargo capacity was reduced compared to the previous model.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line offering a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available in all but the base trim, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, and smartphone mirroring. The SEL R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender audio system. Natural voice recognition required a subscription, and the Park Assist system was standard on the SEL R-Line.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia introduced a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen in the base SR5 and a 14-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with connected services offering user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. The Sequoia's parking sensors and automatic rear braking system enhanced safety during reversing maneuvers.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with standard Front Assist and Side Assist systems, providing forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The IQ Drive collection included Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist, which could safely bring the vehicle to a stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model's improvements aimed to enhance safety further.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features as standard, bundled into Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5). This package included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Sequoia also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. While crash test ratings were not available at the time of review, the Sequoia's platform shared with the Tundra, which received high safety ratings.