2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained its design from the previous year, with the most notable update being the addition of a 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 price ranged from $26,950 to $37,680, excluding a $1,295 destination charge. The SEL R-Line trim, priced at $38,975, featured sporty styling and 20-inch machined-finish wheels. Despite offering a variety of exterior and interior color options, the Tiguan's choices were limited by trim level, restricting customization. The interior of the SEL R-Line was upscale, with quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, though some materials reflected its lower base price.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, built on the TNGA-K platform, was a spacious crossover larger than its competitors, including the Kia Telluride and Honda Pilot. It offered three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, with Softex synthetic leather in the XLE and real leather in higher trims. The Grand Highlander featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, heated front seats, and a large center console. Its design was conservative yet rugged, resembling the Toyota 4Runner. The Grand Highlander excelled in comfort and build quality, making it an ideal road-trip vehicle with ample passenger and cargo space.

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. Front-wheel drive was standard, with an optional 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. The SEL R-Line trim included AWD as standard, offering various driving modes for different conditions. The Tiguan's EPA rating was 24 mpg combined, though real-world testing yielded 22.6 mpg. While the turbo-four engine provided adequate power, it struggled at higher speeds, and the transmission occasionally stumbled. The Tiguan's dynamic qualities were commendable, with excellent tire grip and stable handling, though the brake pedal required more effort than expected.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options: a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 265 horsepower, a 2.5-liter hybrid with 245 combined horsepower, and a Hybrid Max powertrain with 362 combined horsepower. The Hybrid Max, available only with AWD, delivered impressive acceleration with a 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander's size made it less maneuverable than the smaller Highlander, and its steering feel was somewhat numb. However, its brakes were solid, and acceleration was adequate. The Grand Highlander featured three drive modes, with AWD models gaining additional off-road settings.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a roomy interior, with FWD models featuring a standard third-row seat. However, the third row reduced cargo space, making AWD models more practical for cargo needs. The SEL R-Line trim had comfortable front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The dashboard's touch-sensing controls were a drawback, as they were difficult to use and distracting. The Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with generous rear legroom and a cavernous cargo area. AWD models offered 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than its rivals, with a total cargo capacity of 97.5 cubic feet. It offered 57.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. The Grand Highlander provided ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in all rows, making it comfortable for adults in the third row. Its spacious interior and good outward visibility made it an attractive option for families.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured digital instrumentation, with an 8-inch display on most trims and a 10.25-inch display on the SEL R-Line. 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 system's user interface was complex, with sub-menus and touch-sensitive controls that were difficult to use. The voice-recognition system was also lacking, as it frequently failed to connect.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a significant improvement over previous Toyota interfaces. An intelligent assistant was available through a connected-services subscription, allowing voice commands for tasks like adjusting temperature and changing radio stations. The system included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an 11-speaker JBL stereo. Streaming audio integration and Sirius XM satellite radio were also available, with additional subscription options for enhanced features.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including Front Assist with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, Side Assist with blind-spot monitoring, and an Automatic Post Collision Braking System. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. However, the Tiguan's 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 for 2022, but this did not apply to 2023.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. The adaptive cruise control offered four following-distance settings. As a new model, the Grand Highlander had not yet been crash-tested or rated by the NHTSA or IIHS.