Compare the2024 Volkswagen TiguanVS 2022 Lexus RX

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 RX 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 RX 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive 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 RX:

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 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The RX is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

The Tiguan’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the RX’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 RX (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 RX’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

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

Both the Tiguan and the RX 450h have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Tiguans 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 RX 450h requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 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 RX (5 to 7). This means the Tiguan produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the RX every 15,000 miles.

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

The Tiguan stops shorter than the RX:

For better traction, the Tiguan SE R-Line Black’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RX (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 RX’s optional 55 series tires.

The Tiguan’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.9% to 44.1%) than the RX’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 RX 350 F Sport AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Tiguan’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the RX’s (38.1 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

The Volkswagen Tiguan may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 800 pounds less than the Lexus RX.

The Tiguan is 6.4 inches shorter than the RX, making the Tiguan easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Tiguan 4Motion® is quieter than the RX 350 F Sport AWD (73 vs. 77 dB).

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

The Tiguan has .2 inches more front headroom and .7 inches more rear legroom than the RX.

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

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

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 RX 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 RX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Tiguan is less expensive to operate than the RX because typical repairs cost much less on the Tiguan than the RX, 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.