...is perhaps just as bad as an insufferable John Thorpe?

I noticed yesterday that on at least two occasions the General pretends to ask his daughter's opinion but then interrupts her quite rudely! 1)When she is about to invite Miss Morland to NA (chapter 17) and 2)When he first asks Elenor to answer Catherine's question on whether Woodston is a pretty place and then immediately delivers a long comment himself(chapter 22).
Seems to me G Tilney has only learnt to be unpleasant and tyrannical in a more refined manner.

...He is a strict and demanding father, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. ...General Tilney has turned out Henry and Eleanor, so he must be doing something right.

You have a point there, but how come then that they seem uncomfortable when papa is around? And after that breakfast reprimand(chapter 20) Frederick T whispered something (to Eleanor?)about being glad that they were all leaving Bath.