Compare the2023 Volkswagen TiguanVS 2023 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.

Both the Tiguan and the NX 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 Tiguan’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the NX’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 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’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 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (221 vs. 184) than the NX 250’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Tiguan 4Motion® gets better fuel mileage than the NX 350 F Sport running its gasoline engine (22 city/29 hwy vs. 22 city/28 hwy).

Both the Tiguan and the NX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights 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. The NX 350h/450h+ doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Tiguan uses regular unleaded gasoline. The NX 350 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Tiguan AWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX (15.9 vs. 14.5 gallons).

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 (6 to 7). This means the Tiguan produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the NX every 15,000 miles.

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

The Tiguan stops shorter than the NX:

For better traction, the Tiguan SE R-Line Black’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the NX (255/45R19 vs. 235/60R18).

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’s optional 50 series tires.

The Tiguan has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the NX; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tiguan’s wheelbase is 4 inches longer than on the NX (109.9 inches vs. 105.9 inches).

The Tiguan’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.9% to 44.1%) than the NX’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 NX 350 AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Tiguan 4Motion® is quieter than the NX 350 AWD (68 vs. 70 dB).

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

The Tiguan has 1.3 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, .5 inches more rear legroom, 1 inch more rear hip room and 1.9 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’s liftover is 30.8 inches.

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

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

The power windows standard on both the Tiguan and the NX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Tiguan is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The NX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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 NX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.