Compare the2022 Volkswagen TiguanVS 2021 Lexus NX

The Tiguan has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The NX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Compared to metal, the Tiguan’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Lexus NX has a metal gas tank.

Both the Tiguan and the NX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Tiguan is safer than the Lexus NX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Tiguan’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the NX’ (7 vs. 6 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tiguan for 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the NX (2/20,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are almost 3 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Tiguan’s warranty.

The Volkswagen Tiguan’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the NX’ engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The Tiguan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (221 vs. 199) than the NX 300h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Tiguan gets better mileage than the NX:

Both the Tiguan and the NX 300h have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All Tiguan’s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Tiguan uses regular unleaded gasoline. The NX 300 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Tiguan higher (7 out of 10) than the Lexus NX (3 to 7). This means the Tiguan produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the NX every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Volkswagen Tiguan, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the NX.

For better stopping power the Tiguan’s brake rotors are larger than those on the NX:

The Tiguan stops shorter than the NX:

For better traction, the Tiguan SEL R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the NX (255/40R20 vs. 235/55R18).

The Tiguan SEL R-Line’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the NX F Sport’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tiguan SEL R-Line has standard 20-inch wheels. The NX’ largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tiguan’s wheelbase is 5.2 inches longer than on the NX (109.9 inches vs. 104.7 inches).

The Tiguan 4Motion® handles at .82 G’s, while the NX 300 F Sport AWD pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Tiguan has a greater minimum ground clearance than the NX 300h (7.6 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Tiguan to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Tiguan’s minimum ground clearance is .7 inch higher than on the NX 300 (7.6 vs. 6.9 inches).

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Tiguan 4Motion® is quieter than the NX 300 F Sport AWD (73 vs. 74 dB).

The Tiguan offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the NX can only carry 5.

The Tiguan has 52.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the NX (123.9 vs. 71.6).

The Tiguan has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more rear headroom, .4 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the NX.

The Tiguan’s cargo area provides more volume than the NX.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Tiguan easier. The Tiguan’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.4 inches, while the NX’ liftover is 31.2 inches.

The Tiguan’s cargo area is larger than the NX’ in almost every dimension:

The Tiguan’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the NX’ (1500 vs. 0 pounds).

The Tiguan has a higher standard payload capacity than the NX (937 vs. 895 lbs.).

The Tiguan has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the NX (1157 vs. 895 lbs.).

The Tiguan has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The NX doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

The Tiguan’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The NX’ power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Tiguan SE/SE R-Line Black/SEL/SEL Premium R-Line to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The NX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Tiguan SE/SE R-Line Black/SEL R-Line has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The NX doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Tiguan SEL R-Line’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The NX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Tiguan is less expensive to operate than the NX because it costs $381 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Tiguan than the NX, including $92 less for a muffler, $175 less for fuel injection and $716 less for a timing belt/chain.