2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Honda HR-V

The 2023 Honda HR-V underwent a significant styling transformation, shedding some of its previous quirky charm for a more sophisticated and modern appearance. The lowered beltline and simplified detailing contributed to a sleeker look, with cleaner lines and fewer interruptions. The windshield wipers were discreetly tucked under the hood's lip, and the black molding strips on the roof were removed. The test model, finished in Nordic Forest Pearl, showcased one of the two new color options. The HR-V's interior followed the refinement trend set by the 2022 Civic, featuring a metal honeycomb grille that concealed the vents, touch-sensitive reading and map lights, and a sculptural center console. The EX-L trim, with its perforated leather seats and dual-zone climate control, offered a comfortable and premium cabin experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained its design from the previous year, with the SEL R-Line trim standing out for its sporty appearance and 20-inch machined-finish wheels. The Tiguan's design was conservatively drawn but aging gracefully, with adaptive front lighting and a light bar across the grille. Inside, the Tiguan's cabin exuded an upscale feel, with quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, and soft-touch materials. The panoramic sunroof and digital instrumentation added to the premium ambiance. However, the touch-sensing controls on the steering wheel and climate system were less user-friendly, detracting from the overall experience. Despite this, the Tiguan's spacious interior and robust construction made it a compelling choice for those seeking a roomy and well-built SUV.

The 2023 Honda HR-V featured a single powertrain option: a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. This was an improvement over the previous model, with an updated continuously variable transmission (CVT) incorporating a Step-Shift function to mimic traditional automatic transmission sounds. The HR-V offered Normal, Snow, and ECON drive modes, with Sport mode available for a more spirited drive. The new front and fully independent rear suspensions, along with widened tracks, contributed to a surprisingly fun driving experience, although the HR-V was not overpowered. The HR-V was available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations, with the latter enhancing traction in challenging conditions.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Tiguan offered FWD as standard, with VW's 4Motion AWD system available. The SEL R-Line trim included AWD as standard, along with Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings. The Tiguan's powertrain provided adequate power for most situations, but it lacked the smoothness and responsiveness of some competitors. The automatic transmission occasionally stumbled with delayed downshifts, and turbo lag was noticeable from a stop. Despite these quirks, the Tiguan's dynamic qualities were rewarding, with excellent tire grip and stable handling. The ride was compliant, and the Tiguan felt nimble and easy to park, aided by its variable-assist steering and surround-view camera.

The 2023 Honda HR-V, a subcompact SUV, offered a well-thought-out interior with a center console featuring a shelf for drive mode controls and USB ports. The HR-V's fastback design slightly reduced rear-seat headroom, but the overall interior space was comfortable. Cargo capacity was 24.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 55.1 cubic feet with them folded, making it one of the largest in its class. The HR-V's passenger volume varied by trim, with the EX-L offering 97.3 cubic feet. The rear seats featured a 60/40 split and a nearly flat floor when folded, enhancing versatility.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with FWD models offering a standard third-row seat. The SEL R-Line trim featured comfortable front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The dashboard's touch-sensing controls were less user-friendly, but the Tiguan's spacious rear seat and generous cargo area were highlights. With AWD, the Tiguan offered 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, rivaling some midsize SUVs. The hands-free power liftgate and adjustable load floor added convenience.

The 2023 Honda HR-V featured a tablet-style infotainment display, with the EX-L trim offering a 9-inch screen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The HR-V's infotainment system included a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and a 7-inch color touchscreen display for LX and Sport trims. The EX-L trim added a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad and an eight-speaker audio system. The HR-V's technology package was user-friendly, with physical knobs for power and volume control.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line featuring a 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a nine-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the touch-sensitive controls and multi-layer menus introduced complexity and distraction. The Tiguan's voice-recognition system was not fully functional in the test vehicle, limiting its usability.

The 2023 Honda HR-V came standard with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, and lane-keeping assist. New features for 2023 included traffic-sign recognition and traffic jam assist. The HR-V's safety features were generally unobtrusive and provided peace of mind. While the 2023 model had not been crash-tested, the 2022 HR-V received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including Front Assist, Side Assist, and an Automatic Post Collision Braking System. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, and semi-autonomous driving assist. The Tiguan's safety technology was effective and rarely issued false alerts. However, the 2023 Tiguan's crash-test ratings were incomplete, with concerns about the driver's door unlatching during a side-impact test.