2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a striking presence on the road, blending the bold aesthetics of the Toyota Tundra with a newly sculpted SUV body. This redesign gave the Sequoia a more commanding presence compared to its predecessor. Inside, the Sequoia shared many design elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with luxurious touches like leather, wood, and metallic finishes, especially in the upscale Capstone trim. The interior was dominated by a large 14-inch infotainment system, though some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck roots. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices starting at $59,895 for the base SR5 and reaching $79,895 for the Capstone with 4WD. Off-road enthusiasts could opt for the TRD Pro or add a TRD Off-Road Package to the SR5 and Limited trims for enhanced capability.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan, following updates in 2022, remained largely unchanged. It offered a range of trims, including the sporty R-Line versions, with prices from $26,950 to $37,680, plus a destination charge. The SEL R-Line trim, priced at $38,975, featured a stylish design with 20-inch wheels and adaptive front lighting. Inside, the Tiguan's cabin was upscale, with quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the touch-sensing controls on the steering wheel and climate system were less user-friendly. Despite these quirks, the Tiguan provided ample passenger and cargo space, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a powerful hybrid powertrain, featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and an electric motor/generator. This setup delivered an impressive 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 9,520 pounds, and it could carry a payload of 1,730 pounds. Fuel efficiency improved, with the Sequoia achieving 20 mpg with 4WD and 22 mpg with RWD. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. However, the ride quality could be busy and jittery, especially in Normal mode, and the steering was slow, requiring effort in tight spaces.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system available. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, along with an Individual mode for customization. The SEL R-Line trim came with AWD and additional driving settings for various conditions. The Tiguan's fuel economy was rated at 24 mpg in combined driving, though our test yielded 22.6 mpg. While the powertrain wasn't the most powerful, the Tiguan's dynamic qualities, including light and lively steering, excellent tire grip, and stable handling, made it enjoyable to drive.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with features like soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium sound system, and a triple-zone climate control system. However, the Sequoia's interior space was compromised by its hybrid powertrain. The third-row seat was cramped, with limited legroom and thigh support. Cargo space was also reduced, with only 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 22.3 cubic feet. Folding the seats provided 86.9 cubic feet of cargo space, but this was still less than its predecessor and competitors.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with FWD models featuring a standard third-row seat. The SEL R-Line trim had comfortable front seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. However, the dashboard's touch-sensing controls were less user-friendly. The Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with generous legroom and headroom in the rear seats. The cargo area was cavernous, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, making it one of the largest in its class.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen in the base SR5 trim and a 14-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system was intuitive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, glare on the display was an issue, especially in the Capstone trim. The system included connected services, an Intelligent Assistant, and a 10-inch head-up display. The Sequoia also had a surround-view camera system and a digital rearview mirror, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan came with digital instrumentation, with an 8-inch display in most trims and a 10.25-inch display in the SEL R-Line. The infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a Fender premium sound system. However, the system's user interface was complex, with sub-menus and touch-sensitive controls that could be distracting. The voice-recognition system was also limited without an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which 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 parking sensors with automatic braking. While crash-test ratings were not available, the Sequoia's platform shared with the Tundra, which received high ratings from the IIHS.

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, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. The Tiguan's safety technology was effective and unobtrusive. However, crash-test ratings were incomplete, with concerns about the driver's door unlatching during a side-impact test. The IIHS had previously awarded the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick+ rating.