2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2022 Nissan Rogue continued to build on its reputation as a top seller in the compact SUV segment, maintaining the mature and sophisticated design introduced in the previous year. The exterior featured Nissan's signature V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and a sleek floating roof design, all contributing to its grown-up aesthetic. Inside, the Rogue offered a layered dashboard with contrasting colours and surfaces, creating a sophisticated and detailed look. The centre console was a highlight, featuring an electronic gear selector lever that freed up space for additional storage, including a wireless charging pad and a large storage cubby. The Rogue's interior was both attractive and comfortable, with Nissan's Zero Gravity bucket-style front seats and a spacious second row providing ample legroom.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained its conservative yet gracefully aging design, with sporty R-Line trims offering a more dynamic appearance. The Tiguan's interior was upscale, featuring quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, and soft-touch materials. However, the dashboard's touch-sensing controls in gloss black plastic were criticized for their usability issues. Despite this, the Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with generous legroom and headroom in the rear seats and a cavernous cargo area. The hands-free power liftgate and adjustable load floor height added to its practicality, making it a strong contender for those seeking a roomy SUV.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue received a significant performance boost with its new 1.5-litre VC-Turbo engine, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This represented an 11% increase in horsepower and a 24% increase in torque compared to the previous model. The engine's variable compression technology allowed for improved fuel efficiency, with estimates of 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 6.5 on the highway. The Rogue's new CVT transmission offered a wider range of gear ratios, enhancing acceleration and responsiveness. The chassis and suspension provided a smooth and controlled ride, with minimal body roll and precise steering.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the Tiguan offered a choice of driving modes, including Eco, Normal, and Sport. The 4Motion AWD system provided excellent traction, with settings for various road conditions. However, the Tiguan's powertrain was noted for its occasional turbo lag and delayed downshifts. Fuel economy was estimated at 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. Despite these quirks, the Tiguan's dynamic qualities were praised, with excellent tire grip and a stable, predictable ride.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue offered a well-thought-out interior with numerous storage options, including bottle holders, cupholders, and a centre console bin. The second-row seat was a 60/40 split reclining bench, providing flexibility for passengers and cargo. The Rogue's cargo area could accommodate up to 1,033 litres of luggage, expanding to 2,098 litres with the second row folded flat.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with large rear door openings and a spacious back seat. The front seats were comfortable and offered eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. However, the dashboard's touch-sensing controls were criticized for their usability issues. The Tiguan's cargo area was generous, with an adjustable load floor height and deep storage wells. With AWD, the Tiguan offered 1,064 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 2,078 litres with the seats folded.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured a technology upgrade with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch centre infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on upper trims. ProPilot Assist, Nissan's hands-on driver-assist technology, was available, offering advanced features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered digital instrumentation, with R-Line trims featuring a 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a nine-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the system's user interface was criticized for its complexity and distracting touch-sensing controls. The Tiguan's voice-recognition system was also noted for its underperformance.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue came equipped with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, including automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. ProPilot Assist offered advanced driver-assist features, and the Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard Front Assist and Side Assist, with additional safety features bundled in the IQ.Drive package. This included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and emergency assist. The Tiguan's safety technology was praised for its effectiveness, but its crash-test ratings were incomplete at the time of review. The IIHS gave the 2022 Tiguan a Top Safety Pick+ rating, but this did not apply to the 2023 model.