2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2024 Lexus TX

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan, following its 2022 updates, remained largely unchanged. A notable addition was the complimentary five-year Car-Net Safe & Secure connected services plan for owners. Available in S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims, the Tiguan's pricing ranged from $26,950 to $37,680, excluding a $1,295 destination charge. The SEL R-Line trim, priced at $38,975 with destination, featured sporty styling and 20-inch wheels. Despite offering various color and upholstery options, choices were limited by trim level, restricting customization. The Tiguan's design was conservative yet gracefully aging, with features like adaptive front lighting and a light bar across the grille enhancing its appeal. Inside, the cabin felt upscale with quality materials, digital instrumentation, and a panoramic sunroof, though some materials reflected its lower base price.

The 2024 Lexus TX, based on the Toyota Grand Highlander, distinguished itself as a luxury SUV. Its upscale appearance was enhanced by optional 22-inch wheels. The TX's styling was more conservative than other Lexus models, appealing to those previously put off by the brand's design. Available in TX 350, TX 500h F Sport Performance, and TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid models, prices ranged from $55,050 to $69,350, with the TX 550h+ expected to start over $75,000. The TX 350, likely the volume seller, featured a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with FWD or AWD. Our test vehicle, a TX 350 Luxury with FWD, included packages and features that brought its MSRP to $67,869. The interior, though dark, was luxurious with premium materials and a panoramic sunroof, making it worthy of the Lexus badge.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. FWD was standard, with AWD available. The SEL R-Line trim included AWD, offering various driving modes for different conditions. The Tiguan averaged 22.6 mpg in testing, slightly below the EPA's 24 mpg estimate. The engine provided adequate power, though it struggled at higher revs, and the transmission occasionally stumbled. Despite these quirks, the Tiguan's dynamic qualities were rewarding, with excellent tire grip and stable handling. The ride was compliant, and visibility was excellent, aided by thin windshield pillars and a surround-view camera.

The 2024 Lexus TX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated to 60 mph in about eight seconds, feeling quicker due to its torque. The TX 350 FWD averaged 20.4 mpg, slightly below its 23 mpg EPA rating. AWD, available for an additional $1,600, offered better traction and slightly quicker acceleration. The TX's suspension provided a comfortable ride with commendable body motion control and accurate steering. The interior was quiet on the highway, though the brake pedal felt soft. Overall, the TX's performance was adequate for typical driving situations.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a roomy interior, with FWD models featuring a standard third-row seat. However, opting for AWD increased cargo space, making it one of the largest in its class. The SEL R-Line's front seats were comfortable, with power adjustments and heating/ventilation. Storage was generous, though the center armrest bin was small. The dashboard's touch-sensing controls were problematic, detracting from usability. Rear passenger space was ample, with generous legroom and headroom. The cargo area was cavernous, with adjustable load floor height and handy features for convenience.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus's three-row SUVs. The TX 350 Luxury featured premium materials, heated and ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel. The second-row bench seat was standard, with captain’s chairs optional. The third-row seat was habitable for adults, offering better comfort than previous models. Cargo space was generous, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 97 cubic feet with seats folded. Storage options were plentiful, though some lacked lining, potentially causing noise. The split front center armrest design was less practical than intended.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line boasting a 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a nine-speaker Fender sound system, and Car-Net connected services. However, the interface was complex, with multi-layer processes for simple tasks. Voice recognition was subpar, often failing due to inactive subscriptions. The touch-sensing controls added unnecessary complexity, detracting from the overall experience.

The 2024 Lexus TX, equipped with the optional Technology Package, featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, head-up display, and a 14-inch touchscreen. The Lexus Interface system included a digital assistant with natural voice recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and various connected services. However, the unmarked steering wheel controls were distracting, and the head-up display was often invisible with polarized sunglasses. Despite these issues, the infotainment system was generally user-friendly, and the Mark Levinson sound system provided impressive audio quality.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in safety features, offering tech often found in luxury models. Standard features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more. The safety technology was effective and rarely issued false alerts. However, crash-test ratings were incomplete, with concerns about the driver's door unlatching during side-impact tests.

The 2024 Lexus TX came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Proactive Drive Assist offered additional braking and steering assistance, though it was not entirely transparent. The TX also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and optional parking sensors. Traffic jam assist provided hands-free driving at low speeds. Overall, the safety systems were smooth and effective, though the TX slowed too dramatically when other vehicles cut in.