You'd be hard-pressed to find a vehicle class today that's more competitive than that of the mid-size SUV. Over the last several decades, virtually every major automotive manufacturer has thrown their hat into this ring, but the truth is that Subaru has emerged as a leader. Specifically, the 2022 Forester is a leader in the segment today, but there are competitors. When you put the Forester against a similar model, like the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, it's clear why Subaru sits proudly at the top.
When it comes to design and engineering, Subaru is in a class all its own. The Forester has a body design that looks as good in your driveway as it does deep in the forest. With standard 17-inch steel wheels, Steering Responsive Headlights, and available roof rails, all with the classic Forester body that sits 8.7-inches off the ground. The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan has 7.4-inches with 17-inch alloy wheels, and standard black roof rails. The body of the Tiguan is elegant, but safe, and could honestly belong to any mid-size SUV from any manufacturer.
Inside each vehicle, the Forester continues to separate itself from the competition. Despite theTiguan being able to sit 7 passengers compared to the 5, the Forester has significantly more storage room than the Tiguan, with 74.2 cubic feet compared to the 65.3 cubic feet of the Tiguan. Both vehicles do offer available leather upholstery and a leather wrapped steering wheel, as well as a panoramic moonroof.
The days of plastic knobs and tape-decks are long behind us. Today, new vehicles are expected to basically act as an extension of your smartphone, and you'd be hard pressed to find a mid-size SUV that does that better than the 2022 Subaru Forester. With a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, you get access to the cutting edge STARLINK multimedia system that gives you hands-free access to your favorite music and apps through integrated steering-wheel controls and voice-control. There are also available upgrades for an 8-inch screen and navigation capabilities. There are similar features in the 2022 VW Tiguan, but the 6.5-inch touchscreen doesn't feature the same quality of technology that the STARLINK system does.
Of course, it doesn't matter much how well your next new SUV is designed if it doesn't have the performance that makes driving fun. Fortunately, the 2022 Subaru Forester has plenty of power to go around. With a 2.5-Liter Direct Injection BOXER engine, the Forester makes 182 horses and 176 lb-ft of torque. Coupled with the standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, the Forester has a maximum towing capacity of 3,000 lbs. To be fair, the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan is plenty powerful too. 184 horsepower with 221 lb-ft of torque does squeak ahead of the Forester, but it's lack of standard all-wheel drive (it is available for upgrade), just doesn't make it the versatile powerhouse that the Forester is.
In the same way that our vehicles' audio systems have changed in the 21st-century, the expectations of vehicle safety have evolved in the 21st-century. Of course, Subaru understands these expectations better than most, and every vehicle they make (including the 2022 Forester) is packed to the brim with high-end safety features and driver assistance technologies. In addition to the standard Steering Responsive Headlights and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, the Forester also comes standard with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology and an incredibly advanced supplemental restraint system. Also available are the Blind-Spot Detection, Reverse Automatic Braking, and DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation technology. The 2022 VW Tiguan is also safe with its own suite of driver assist technology -- that has Blind-Spot Detection as standard -- and a crash optimized front-end.
To be clear, there's not actually a lot to say negatively about the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan. Our point is this: when everything is taken into consideration, the 2022 Subaru Forester is the better vehicle. The overall package that you get with the Forester is bigger and better than what you get with the Tiguan for the same price -- actually, just less than the Tiguan! The starting MSRP of the Forester is $25,195 compared to the $25,995 of the Tiguan. We encourage you to come put your hands on a Forester and see for yourself. Give us a call and schedule a test drive today. Or come visit us in person at 401 N Hamilton Rd in Columbus, OH.
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2022 Subaru Forester | 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $25,195 | $25,995 |
| Standard Engine | 2.5-Liter Subaru BOXER Engine | 2.0-Liter Inline 4-Cylinder |
| Standard Performance Capabilities | 182 Horsepower w/ 176 lb-ft of Torque | 184 Horsepower w/ 221 lb-ft of Torque |
| All-Wheel Drive | Standard | Available |
| Standard Wheels | 17-Inch Steel | 17-Inch Alloy |
| Steering Responsive Headlights | Standard | Not Available |
| Maximum Cargo Capacity | 74.2 Cubic Feet | 65.3 Cubic Feet |
| Panoramic Moonroof | Available | Available |
| Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel | Available | Available |
| 4G LTE WiFi Capability | Available | Not Available |
*Manufacturer's suggested retail price does not include destination and delivery charges, tax, title and registration fees. Destination and delivery includes handling and inland freight fees and may vary in some states. Prices, specifications, options, features and models subject to change without notice.
