Compare the2023 Volkswagen TiguanVS 2022 Lexus RXL

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 RXL 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.

Both the Tiguan and the RXL 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, 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 RXL:

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Tiguan its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 92 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The RXL is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

The Tiguan’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the RXL’s (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 RXL (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 RXL’s 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 221 lbs.-ft. more torque (221 vs. ) than the RX 450hL’s optional 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Tiguan uses regular unleaded gasoline. The RX 450hL 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 RXL (5 to 7). This means the Tiguan produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the RXL every 15,000 miles.

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

The Tiguan stops shorter than the RXL:

For better traction, the Tiguan SE R-Line Black’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RXL (255/45R19 vs. 235/65R18).

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 RXL’s optional 55 series tires.

The Tiguan 4Motion® handles at .82 G’s, while the RX 350L AWD pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Tiguan 4Motion® executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the RX 350L (28.1 seconds @ .58 average G’s vs. 28.5 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Tiguan’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the RXL’s (37.7 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

The Volkswagen Tiguan may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 750 to 1100 pounds less than the Lexus RXL.

The Tiguan is 10.8 inches shorter than the RXL, making the Tiguan easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Tiguan has 6.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the RXL (123.9 vs. 117).

The Tiguan has .6 inches more rear headroom, 5.7 inches more rear legroom, 4.4 inches more third row legroom and 2.1 inches more third row shoulder room than the RXL.

The front step up height for the Tiguan is 3.1 inches lower than the RXL (17.4” vs. 20.5”). The Tiguan’s rear step up height is 3.3 inches lower than the RXL’s (17.5” vs. 20.8”).

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

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 RXL’s liftover is 31.9 inches.

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

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 RXL’s 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/SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The RXL doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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 RXL doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Tiguan is less expensive to operate than the RXL because typical repairs cost much less on the Tiguan than the RXL, including $461 less for a water pump, $64 less for front brake pads, $52 less for a starter, $1419 less for a timing belt/chain and $1589 less for a power steering pump.