Compare the2023 Volkswagen TiguanVS 2022 Acura RDX

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 RDX 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Tiguan SE R-Line Black/SEL R-Line has standard Maneuver Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The RDX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Tiguan and the RDX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, 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 Acura RDX:

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

The Tiguan’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the RDX’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tiguan for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Acura doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the RDX.

There are over 2 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Acura 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 RDX’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Acura With 27 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Acura.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Volkswagen 4 places higher in reliability than Acura.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Tiguan uses regular unleaded gasoline. The RDX requires premium for maximum efficiency, 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 Acura RDX (6). This means the Tiguan produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the RDX every 15,000 miles.

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

The Tiguan stops shorter than the RDX:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tiguan’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the RDX (109.9 inches vs. 108.3 inches).

The Tiguan’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.9% to 44.1%) than the RDX’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Tiguan more stable handling and braking.

The Tiguan SEL R-Line 4Motion® handles at .83 G’s, while the RDX A-Spec AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Tiguan’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the RDX’s (37.7 feet vs. 38.9 feet).

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

The Tiguan has 19.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the RDX (123.9 vs. 104).

The Tiguan has .8 inches more rear headroom and 3.6 inches more rear hip room than the RDX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Tiguan’s middle row seats recline. The RDX’s rear seats don’t recline.

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

The Tiguan has a higher standard payload capacity than the RDX (937 vs. 838 lbs.).

The Tiguan has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the RDX (1157 vs. 838 lbs.).

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

Consumer Reports rated the Tiguan’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the RDX’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Tiguan SE R-Line Black/SEL/SEL Premium R-Line has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The RDX doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Tiguan SEL Premium R-Line also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

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 RDX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Tiguan is less expensive to operate than the RDX because typical repairs cost much less on the Tiguan than the RDX, including $251 less for front brake pads and $662 less for a power steering pump.

The Volkswagen Tiguan outsold the Acura RDX by 86% during the 2021 model year.