2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was an extended version of the standard Escalade, featuring a complete redesign for that model year. It was notably longer than the regular Escalade, measuring 226.9 inches compared to 211.9 inches, with a slightly lower height of 76.4 inches. This additional length was primarily at the rear, enhancing cargo space. The wheelbase was also extended to 134.1 inches, improving stability and design proportions, giving the ESV a more balanced appearance. The Escalade ESV boasted a luxurious exterior with chrome styling on certain trims and blacked-out accents on others, all riding on 22-inch wheels. The grille design varied across trim levels, and standard features included LED headlights, roof rails, and power-extending assist steps. Optional features like a panoramic moonroof and heated mirrors added to its appeal. However, the interior, while spacious, was criticized for its use of hard plastics and lack of unique design elements, which was disappointing for a vehicle priced near or above $90,000.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, in contrast, maintained a conservative yet timeless design, aligning with Volkswagen's larger Atlas models. It featured a refreshed front styling with a new grille and standard LED headlights. The Tiguan lineup was simplified to include S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims, with prices ranging from $25,995 to $36,995. The SEL R-Line model, tested in Atlantic Blue Metallic, showcased a sportier look with blacked-out accents and 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the Tiguan offered a more upscale cabin with leather upholstery, new technology, and ambient lighting. However, the lower half of the cabin revealed its mass-market status with hard plastics. Standard features included keyless entry, push-button start, and heated front seats, with additional options like remote engine start and a panoramic sunroof available. The Tiguan's design updates and features aimed to keep it fresh until a full redesign in the future.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered two engine options: a standard 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six with 277 horsepower and the same torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and buyers could choose between rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The Escalade ESV's V8 engine provided sufficient power but lacked low-end torque for high-speed passing. The vehicle's weight, ranging from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, contributed to this challenge. Fuel economy was not officially rated by the EPA for the ESV, but the traditional Escalade achieved 17 to 23 mpg combined. During testing, the RWD Escalade ESV averaged around 18 mpg in mixed driving conditions.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,900 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the front wheels, with an optional 4Motion AWD system available. The AWD system could send up to half of the power to the rear wheels when needed, enhancing fuel efficiency by decoupling the rear axle when not in use. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings for 4Motion models. Despite its 7.6 inches of ground clearance, the Tiguan was best suited for well-traveled paths. The engine's torque arrived later than some competitors, resulting in momentary turbo lag during acceleration. The Tiguan achieved an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in combined driving, with real-world testing yielding 24.7 mpg. While nimble and responsive in normal driving, the Tiguan's tires and suspension limited its performance when pushed for more spirited driving.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed as a luxurious people and cargo hauler, offering leatherette seating surfaces with available leather upholstery. Standard features included 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated first- and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and tri-zone climate control. Buyers could upgrade to 16-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functionality and a panoramic sunroof. The ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, with the third row suitable for occasional adult use. Cargo space was a highlight, with 126.6 cubic feet behind the first row, 81.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 42.9 cubic feet behind the third row. The power-adjustable third row could be folded using a switch in the cargo area, although it sometimes required manual adjustment. The hands-free power liftgate worked inconsistently, and the rear window could be opened for additional storage options. An adaptive air suspension facilitated entry and exit, while upscale features like a center console cooler added to its appeal.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among compact crossovers with its spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered a standard third-row seat in FWD models, while 4Motion models lacked this feature. The SEL R-Line trim provided exceptional comfort with leather-wrapped, eight-way power-adjustable front seats featuring heating and ventilation. The second row was roomy and comfortable for adults, with rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard added sophistication but proved challenging to use. Cargo space was generous, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and a maximum capacity of 73.4 cubic feet in 4Motion models. FWD models with the third row had reduced cargo space, offering 12 cubic feet behind the third row and 33 cubic feet with it folded down. The Tiguan's interior design and features positioned it as a strong contender in its class.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV excelled in technology, featuring a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system with an optional 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. Wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports were standard. The Escalade ESV boasted a curved 38-inch OLED screen, housing three displays for driver information and infotainment. The OLED technology provided deep blacks for a serene cabin during nighttime driving. The infotainment system offered crisp graphics and intuitive menu navigation. Cadillac's Super Cruise, an advanced driving assist system, was available, allowing hands-free driving on select highways. While Super Cruise generally performed well, it occasionally struggled in certain conditions, such as construction zones or sudden changes in lighting. The lane-change technology worked as advertised but could be slow in heavy traffic. Despite occasional failures, Super Cruise was highly valued for highway driving.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line offering a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, introduced the previous year, was available in all but the base Tiguan S, which used MIB2. The MIB3 system included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The SEL R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system. Natural voice recognition was touted as an improvement, but it required a Plus Speech upgrade and an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription. Car-Net offered a complimentary Remote Access plan for five years, allowing remote engine start and other features. The Safe & Secure plan provided automatic crash notification and emergency assistance, while the Hotspot plan offered 4G LTE WiFi. The Tiguan also featured an available Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with front automatic braking, front and rear park assist, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, safety seat alert, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision assist. Additional safety technologies included adaptive park assist, a head-up display, rear camera mirror, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, side blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change alert, night vision, advanced adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, reverse automatic braking, and automatic seatbelt tightening. The NHTSA awarded the Escalade ESV a four-star rating, with a three-star rating in the rollover test, indicating a higher risk of rollover collisions.

For 2022, the Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard Front Assist and Side Assist on the Tiguan S. The IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems included Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. However, the touch-sensing controls on the steering wheel made it challenging to engage Travel Assist. Emergency Assist was another significant upgrade, slowing the SUV and bringing it to a stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model's standard LED headlights and driver aids aimed to improve this score.