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How the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan Compares to Other Crossovers

The first Tiguan arrived in the U.S. in 2008 as a 2009 model. Initially considered small for its class, the 2016 redesign was significantly larger to the point that it is unique in the segment for providing a 3rd-row seat. All Tiguans are powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged Inline-4 engine. There are four grades, three of which have standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD) while the top SEL R-Line has standard AWD. As a Compact Crossover, it competes in the best-selling and largest vehicle category in the U.S. Let’s see why the Tiguan is a good choice in the category.

 

Compare 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan to Competitive Brand Compact SUVs

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CUV Volkswagen
Tiguan		 Subaru
Forester		 Toyota
RAV4		 Kia
Sportage		 Honda
CRV		 Hyundai
Tucson		 Ford
Escape		 Jeep
Cherokee
Photo
Trims S, SE, SE R Line Black, SEL R Line Base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, Touring XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, TRD Off-Road, Limited, Hybrid LE, Hybrid XLE, Hybrid Woodland, Hybrid XLE Premium, Hybrid SE, Hybrid XSE, Hybrid Limited LX, EX, SX Prestige LX, EX, Sport Hybrid, EX-L, Sport Touring Hybrid SE, SEL, Limited, Blue (Hybrid), SEL Convenience (Hybrid), N Line (Hybrid), Limited (Hybrid), SEL (Plug-In), Limited (Plug-In) Base, Active™, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, Platinum, Plug-In Hybrid Altitude Lux, Trailhawk®
Color Options 10 16 16 7 8 9 8 5
Engine 16-valve, 2.0L turbo* 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER® 4-cylinder 2.5L 4-Cylinder, or Hybrid* 1.6 liter Turbo 4-Cylinder & Full Parallel Hybrid System 1.5L Turbo Inline 4 2.5L GDI/MPI 4-cylinder* 1.5L or 2.0L EcoBoost. or 2.5L iVCT Atkinson Cycle I-4 Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid 2.4L 4×4 or 2.0L I-4 Turbo*
Horsepower 184 hp 182 hp 203 hp 227 hp 190 hp 187 hp 203 hp 270 hp
Torque 221 lb-ft 176 lb-ft 149 lb-ft 258 lb-ft 179 lb-ft 178 lb-ft 149 lb-ft 295 lb-ft
Transmission 8-Speed Tiptronic® Automatic Lineartronic® CVT 8-Speed Automatic ECVT or ECT-I 6-Speed Automatic CVT or E-CVT 8-speed automatic with SHIFTRONIC® 8-Speed Automatic 9-Speed Automatic
DriveTrain FWD, 4MOTION® AWD* Symmetrical AWD FWD, TV-AWD FWD, AWD 2WD, AWD FWD, HTRAC AWD FWD, AWD 4×4
Fuel Economy (Hwy/City) 25/32* 26/33* 25/32* 38/38* 28/34* 23/29* 27/33* 21/29*
Fuel Tank Capacity 15.3 gal. 16.6 gal. 14.5 gal. 14.3 gal. 14.0 gal. 14.3 gal. 14.3 gal. 15.8 gal.
0-60 8.9 sec. 8.5 sec. 5.7 sec. 7.4 sec. 8.6 sec. 8.8 sec. 7.7 sec. 8.3 sec.
Cargo Volume (cu.ft.) 12.0 cu. ft. 26.9 cu. ft. 37.5 cu. ft. 39.5 cu. ft. 39.3 cu. ft. 38.7 cu. ft. 37.5 cu.ft. 25.8 cu.ft.
Headroom (Front/Rear) 39.6/39.1 40.2/37.6 37.7/39.5 37.8/37.8 in. 38.2/38.2 40.1/39.5 40.0/39.3 39.4/38.5
Legroom (Front/Rear) 40.2/36.6
43.3/39.4
 41.0/37.8 41.4/41.3 in. 41.3/41.0 41.4/41.3 42.4/40.7 41.1/40.3
Ground Clearance 7.4 in. 8.7 in. 8.6 in. 8.3 in. 7.8 in. 8.3 in. 7.5 in. 8.7 in.
Infotainment 8-in Color Touchscreen Display SUBARU STARLINK® 11.6-inch Touchscreen 10.5-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia Touchscreen 12.3-inch Touchscreen Display w/ Nav & Kia Connect 9-in. touchscreen 10.25-in Color Touchscreen Display SYNC® 4 with 8″ LCD Capacitive Touchscreen 8.4 in. UConnect® 4C Touchscreen
Sound System Fender® Premium Audio System Harman Kardon® premium audio system with 6 speakers JBL® *, 11 Speakers, Tweeters, Subwoofer Harman Kardon® Premium Surround Sound w/ HALOsonic®, 8 Speakers 12 Speaker Bose Premium Sound System BOSE® * Premium Sound System, 11 Speakers, Tweeters, Subwoofer B&O® by Bang & Olufsen®, 10 Speakers, Subwoofer Alpine® 9 speakers, 8 in. subwoofer
Base Price $26,950*
$26,495*
 $28,275* $26,290* $28,410* $27,250* $29,345* $37,695*

Volkswagen Tiguan vs Subaru Forester

Like the Tiguan, the Forester does not have any hybrid models and all are powered by the same 2.5-liter flat-4 drivetrain, which includes standard all-wheel drive across the model line.

  • The Tiguan can seat seven as compared to just five for the Forester.
  • The Tiguan’s 184 horsepower just edges above the 182 of the Forester but its 221 lb-ft @ 1,900 rpm of torque is 45 lb-ft than the Forester’s 176 lb-ft @ 4,400. 
  • The Tiguan’s 8-speed transmission gives you greater control of engine power than the Forester’s continuously variable transmission.
  • The Tiguan comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels while you will find steel wheels on the base Forester. 
  • Heated front seats and side mirrors are standard on the Tiguan but will cost you extra on the Forester.
  • The convenience of the Tiguan’s keyless entry and ignition is not standard on the Forester.
  • The Tiguan’s standard in-car Wi-Fi requires a trim upgrade on the Forester.
  • For a smoother, highway ride, the Tiguan 109.9-inch wheelbase is longer than the Forester’s 105.1-inch wheelbase.
  • The Tiguan’s 33.0 cubic feet of cargo space behind the 2nd row is greater than the Forester’s 28.9 cubic feet.
  • The 8-inch Digital Cockpit instrument display that is standard on the Tiguan is not available on any Forester.
  • The Tiguan’s 4-year / 50K mile Basic Warranty lasts longer than the Forester’s 3-year / 36,000 miles for the same.
  • The Tiguan’s free maintenance for 2 years and 20,000 miles is not offered on the Forester.
  • In a variety of ways, the Tiguan is the better choice over the Forester.

Volkswagen Tiguan vs Toyota RAV4

The RAV4 is the biggest seller in the class with a bewildering number of grades and drivetrains which include gas-only, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid models.

  • The base MSRP of the Tiguan is $26,950 compared to $28,275 for the RAV4. 
  • The base RAV4 2.5-liter normally-aspirated inline-4 has 19 more horsepower than the Tiguan, however with 221 lb-ft, the Tiguan beats the RAV4’s peak torque by  37 lb-ft which it reaches at a low 1,900 rpm vs. 5,000 for the RAV4.
  • The Tiguan wheelbase is four inches longer than the CR-V for a more stable and relaxed highway ride.
  • The Tiguan can seat seven as compared to just five for the RAV4.
  • The very important Blind Spot Warning system is standard on the Tiguan but requires a grade upgrade for the RAV4.
  • To better fill out the wheel-wells, the standard wheel size on the Tiguan is 18 inches versus 17 inches for the RAV4.
  • Multi-level heated front seats are standard on the Tiguan but require a model upgrade on the already more expensive RAV4.
  • The Tiguan’s 4-year / 50K mile Basic Warranty lasts longer than the RAV4’s 3-year / 36,000 miles.
  • With more passenger and cargo space flexibility, the Tiguan is simply a more useful crossover than the RAV4.

Volkswagen Tiguan vs. Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V was redesigned for 2023 and is available with both non-electrified and hybrid drivetrains with each available in both FWD and AWD versions. The CR-V is not available as a plug-in hybrid.

  • The Tiguan can seat seven as compared to just five for the CR-V
  • The base MSRP of the Tiguan is $26,950 compared to $29,500 for the CR-V. The $30,580 Tiguan SE would be more price-comparable to the base CR-V.
  • While the Tiguan’s 184 horsepower is just slightly below the 190 hp of the CR-V, its 221 lb-ft of peak torque is significantly higher than the 179 for the CR-V.
  • The Tiguan’s 8-speed automatic provides a more conventional and predictable driving experience than the Continuously Variable Transmission on the CR-V.
  • The Tiguan SE includes 18-inch wheels compared to 17 inches for the CR-V.
  • Multi-level heated front seats are standard on the Tiguan but require a model upgrade on the already more expensive CR-V.
  • The convenience of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on the Tiguan SE but require a few model upgrades to be standard on the CR-V.
  • Convenience features such as remote engine start, and dual-zone climate control are standard on the Tiguan SE but will require an upgrade on the CR.
  • The Tiguan wheelbase is more than 3 inches longer than the CR-V for a more stable and relaxed highway ride.
  • The Tiguan’s 4-year / 50K mile Basic Warranty lasts longer than the CR-V’s 3-year / 36,000 miles for the same.
  • With more versatility and greater value, you will want to take a closer look at the Tiguan.

Volkswagen Tiguan vs. Kia Sportage

While styled very differently, the Kia Sportage is very similar to the Hyundai Tucson underneath with the same platform and drivetrains.

  • The Tiguan can seat seven as compared to just five for the Sportage.
  • As with the Tucson, the horsepower of the Tiguan and Sportage are very close at 184 vs. 187 respectively. However, the 221 lb-ft @ 1900 rpm peak torque of the Tiguan is substantially more than the 178 lb-ft @ 4000. Of the Sportage.
  • Heated front seats and side mirrors are standard on the base Tiguan but will cost you extra on the Sportage.
  • The convenience of a keyless entry and ignition is standard on the Tiguan but costs extra on the Sportage.
  • In-car Wi-Fi is standard on the Sportage but is not available on the Sportage model line.
  • The Tiguan offers free maintenance for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Nothing like that is offered for the Sportage.
  • Despite its longer wheelbase, the Tiguan has a shorter turning diameter than the Sportage for greater maneuverability in tight spaces.
  • With more available passenger capacity, torque and some key standard features the Tiguan is the one you should test drive.

Volkswagen Tiguan vs. Hyundai Tucson

The Tucson is available with a conventional drivetrain in both front- and all-wheel drive. It is also available as a hybrid, and plug-in hybrid with standard all-wheel drive.

  • The Tiguan can seat seven as compared to just five for the Rogue.
  • The horsepower of the Tiguan and Tucson are very close at 184 vs. 187 respectively. However, the Tiguan’s 221 lb-ft @ 1900 rpm of peak torque greatly outmatches the Tucson’s peak torque of 178 lb-ft @ 4000.
  • Heated front seats and side mirrors are standard on the base Tiguan but require a trim upgrade for the Tucson.
  • The convenience of a keyless entry and ignition is standard on the Tiguan but costs extra on the Tucson.
  • In-car Wi-Fi is standard on the Tiguan but is unavailable on the Tucson.
  • The Tiguan has more overall passenger volume with 123.9 cubic feet vs. 108.2 for the Tucson.
  • Styling is subjective but one can’t help but suspect that the understated lines of the Tiguan will age better than the many design gimmicks on the Tucson.
  • The Tucson is a tough competitor but the Tiguan has the edge in passenger room capacity, torque, space, and overall value.

Volkswagen Tiguan vs. Ford Escape

The Escape is available with gas-only, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid models. 

  • The starting price of $26,950 for the Tiguan is significantly less than $29,345 for the Ford Escape.
  • The Tiguan can seat seven as compared to just five for the Escape.
  • The Tiguan’s 184 horsepower edges out the 180 of the Escape but its 221 lb-ft @ 1,900 rpm of torque is significantly higher than the Escape’s 199 lb-ft @3,000 rpm.
  • The Tiguan’s 4-cylinder engine will be smoother than the Escape’s 3-cylinder engine.
  • The Tiguan comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels while you will find steel wheels on the base Escape. 
  • On the higher end of the model range, the 20-inch wheels available on the Tiguan beat out the 19-inch available wheels for the Escape.
  • Heated front seats and side mirrors are standard on the Tiguan but will cost you extra on the Escape.
  • Standard on the Tiguan is the 8-inch Digital Cockpit instrument display. A similar feature is only available on upper-level Escape models.
  • The Tiguan’s 4-year / 50K-mile basic warranty lasts longer than the Escape’s 3-year / 36K-mile basic warranty.
  • For a smoother, less choppy highway ride, the Tiguan’s 109.9-inch wheelbase compares favorably to the Escape’s 106.7-inch wheelbase.
  • Despite the longer wheelbase, the Tiguan has a shorter turning diameter than the Escape.
  • The Tiguan is the winner in this contest. Take a closer look at the Tiguan and give it a test drive.

Volkswagen Tiguan vs. Jeep Cherokee

The Jeep Cherokee has been discontinued after the 2023 model year but 2023 models may remain available for a while. Like the Envision, Jeep considered the Cherokee a premium model and priced it accordingly. At the end of its run, Jeep had just two trim levels for the Cherokee. 4WD is standard on both of them.

  • With the Chrokee’s starting price of $37,695, the price-comparable Tiguan would be the top-of-the-line $37,680 SEL R-Line.
  • The Tiguan can seat seven as compared to just five for the Forester.
  • The Tiguan’s 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 has 184 horsepower to the Cherokee’s 180.
  • The Tiguan’s peak torque of 221 lb-ft @ 1900 rpm. is more easily accessible and 50 more lb-ft than the Cherokee’s 171 lb-ft @ 4,600 rpm.
  • Despite having more power, the price-comparable SEL R-Line with AWD has basically the same EPA-estimated mpg ratings as the Cherokee.
  • Standard features on the price-comparable Tiguan SEL R-Line not found on the base Cherokee include:
    • Driver’s position memory
    • Panoramic moonroof
    • Hands-free power liftgate
    • 20-inch wheels (vs. 17-inch)
    • Ventilated front seats
    • Dual-zone climate control
    • Premium audio system
    • Digital instrument display
    • Interior ambient lighting
  • The Tiguan has far greater passenger volume with 124 cubic feet compared to 128 for the Cherokee.
  • The Tiguan’s 33.0 cubic of cargo space behind the 2nd row is significantly greater than the Cherokee’s 25.8 cubic feet.
  • The Tiguan SEL R-Line’s 73.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the 1st- row is significantly greater than the Envision’s 54.7 cubic feet.
  • The Tiguan’s 4-year / 50K mile Basic Warranty lasts longer than the Cherokee’s 3-year / 36K miles for the same.
  • When compared to the Tiguan, it is understandable why the Cherokee is being discontinued. Take a closer look and test drive the Tiguan.

Visit Volkswagen of Duluth today to experience the fun and amazing in a New Tiguan. If you are a proud Tiguan owner and are in need of Manufacturer Suggested Maintenance or Service, schedule an appointment today. Would you like to update your pre-owned Tiguan? Find the value of your current vehicle or contact our team so we can help you fall in love with your new model year of the Volkswagen Tiguan.

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