2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Honda HR-V

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet timeless design, characterized by its creased and symmetrical styling. This approach, while not overly emotive, appealed to those who appreciated simplicity and minimalism. The refreshed front styling aligned the Tiguan with Volkswagen's larger models, featuring a restyled grille with the new VW logo and standard LED headlights. The interior of the Tiguan Highline R-Line was upscale, with perforated leather upholstery and ambient lighting, though the hard plastic in the lower cabin hinted at its mass-market status. The R-Line models offered a sportier look, with the Comfortline R-Line Black Edition boasting a trendy blacked-out appearance.

The 2023 Honda HR-V underwent a significant styling update, shedding some of its predecessor's quirky charm for a more sophisticated and modern look. The lowered beltline and simplified detailing contributed to a sleeker appearance, with cleaner lines and fewer interruptions. The interior followed the refinement trend set by the 2022 Civic, featuring a metal honeycomb grille and touch-sensitive lights. The EX-L trim offered perforated leather seats and a sculptural centre console, enhancing the premium feel. Despite the fastback design, visibility remained strong, with larger rear windows and door-mounted mirrors improving the range of vision.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This power was managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission and VW's 4Motion AWD system, which could decouple the rear axle to save fuel. The Tiguan offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, along with Offroad settings. Despite its enjoyable drive, the Tiguan's engine exhibited some turbo lag, and its fuel efficiency was modest at 9.8 L/100 km combined. The ride and handling were nimble in normal conditions, but the suspension and tires limited its performance when pushed.

The 2023 Honda HR-V featured a 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine, delivering 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, an improvement over the previous model. The CVT with Step-Shift function aimed to mimic traditional automatic transmission sounds, though paddle shifters were absent. The HR-V offered Normal, Snow, and ECON drive modes, with Sport mode available for a more dynamic experience. The new suspension and widened tracks enhanced its driving fun, though it remained underpowered compared to some competitors. The HR-V's cabin was quieter than before, but still noisy at higher speeds.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among compact crossovers for its spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered an optional third row, though cargo space was compromised with it in use. The two-row configuration provided 1,064 litres of luggage volume, expanding to 2,078 litres with the rear seats folded. The cabin featured leather-wrapped, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and the panoramic sunroof added to the airy feel. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard proved challenging to use.

The 2023 Honda HR-V, a subcompact SUV, offered a well-thought-out interior with a centre console featuring a shelf for storage. The fastback design slightly reduced rear-seat headroom, but cargo space remained competitive at 691 litres with seats up and 1,559 litres folded. The HR-V's passenger volume varied slightly across trims, with the EX-L gaining some interior space. The rear seats provided a higher seating position for easier access, and the nearly flat floor when folded enhanced cargo versatility. Front legroom improved, though rear legroom decreased slightly.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came with standard digital gauges, with the Highline R-Line featuring a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro. The MIB3 infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen, offered connected services and smartphone mirroring. The Highline R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender audio system. However, the natural voice recognition was disappointing, and users were advised to rely on smartphone integration. The Tiguan also offered an available Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2023 Honda HR-V's infotainment system was now tablet-style, with physical knobs for power and volume. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless versions on the EX-L trim. The EX-L also featured a 9-inch display, wireless charging, and an eight-speaker audio system. The HR-V included a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and a 7-inch touchscreen, with the EX-L offering a 9-inch display. The system's Smart Shortcuts adapted to user preferences, enhancing convenience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard Front Assist and Side Assist, with available Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centring, though the touch-sensing controls were challenging to use. Emergency Assist could bring the vehicle 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 improvements aimed to enhance this score.

The 2023 Honda HR-V featured the Honda Sensing suite as standard, including adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, and lane-keeping assist. New features for 2023 included traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and automatic high-beams. The EX-L trim added front and rear parking sensors. The HR-V's safety features were generally unobtrusive, and the new single-camera system improved the field of vision. The 2023 HR-V received a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS.