2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a sophisticated exterior that many considered more premium than its non-European counterparts. Its design was marked by standard LED headlights and taillights, with an illuminated grille light line on the SEL R-Line trim. The model name was prominently displayed in all-caps at the rear, alongside the classic Volkswagen badge. The color options were somewhat limited, especially for the base trim, which only offered grayscale colors. Interior features varied across trims, with the base Tiguan S offering heated front seats and cloth upholstery, while the SEL R-Line boasted real leather, front-seat ventilation, and a heated steering wheel.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 maintained its distinctive retro-inspired design, reminiscent of the Lancia Delta, with minor updates in its mid-cycle refresh. The XRT trim stood out with red tow hooks and black plastic bumper cladding featuring a digital camouflage pattern. The color palette expanded with new options like Ultimate Red and Cosmic Blue Pearl. The interior remained minimalistic and modern, with a revised center console for improved functionality. The XRT trim added a rugged touch with its dark interior and all-weather floor mats. The Ioniq 5's cabin continued to offer a spacious and uncluttered environment, typical of Hyundai's electric vehicles.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with the option for 4Motion all-wheel drive at an additional cost. The AWD version featured a slightly larger fuel tank to accommodate its impact on fuel economy. The Tiguan's driving experience was mixed, with inconsistent power delivery and a touchy gas pedal. However, it offered good visibility and handling, making it feel more maneuverable than expected for its size.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT introduced a Terrain Mode button for off-road adventures, offering Snow, Mud, and Sand modes. The XRT trim was exclusively AWD, while other trims offered RWD with optional AWD. The Ioniq 5's battery capacity increased for 2025, extending its range to 318 miles in RWD configuration. Power output varied, with RWD models producing up to 225 horsepower and AWD models delivering 320 horsepower. The Ioniq 5's instant torque provided a fun driving experience, despite its weight.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a two-row configuration for AWD models, providing 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place. The three-row configuration, available only in FWD models, reduced cargo space but maintained passenger space. The Tiguan's interior dimensions were competitive, with ample headroom and legroom for front and second-row passengers. The third row was tighter but still more spacious than some competitors.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 addressed previous complaints by adding a rear windshield wiper and revising the center console. Heated front seats were standard, with additional features like a heated steering wheel and front seat ventilation available on higher trims. The Ioniq 5's interior dimensions remained unchanged, offering generous headroom and legroom. Cargo space was competitive, with 26.3 cubic feet available with the rear seats up. The transition to the North American Charging System (NACS) allowed access to Tesla's Supercharger network, enhancing charging convenience.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan featured haptic touch slider buttons for climate control, which were responsive and easy to use. The infotainment system, accessed through an 8-inch touchscreen, offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Digital Cockpit System was standard, with the SEL R-Line trim offering a fully configurable 10.25-inch display. The nine-speaker Fender Premium Audio System was a highlight, providing excellent sound quality.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 retained its dual 12.3-inch screens for infotainment and digital instruments, with improved functionality and faster processing speeds. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became standard. The Bose Premium Audio system was available on the XRT and Limited trims, while other trims featured a six-speaker system. The Ioniq 5 offered standard navigation, dynamic voice recognition, and multiple USB-C ports, with a clever feature allowing users to choose the functionality of the central USB-C port.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, and its safety features improved for 2024 with the standard inclusion of the IQ.DRIVE suite. This suite offered adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, and semi-autonomous highway driving capabilities. Additional safety features included rain-sensing wipers, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning with pedestrian detection.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 maintained its Top Safety Pick+ status from the IIHS and received a five-star rating from the NHTSA. New safety features included an enhanced driver attention system and parking-distance warnings. The Ioniq 5 offered Highway Driving Assist 1 and 2, with the latter providing lane-changing capability and machine learning for improved driving assistance.