2019 Buick Envision vs 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2019 Buick Envision was considered one of the most attractive vehicles in Buick's SUV lineup. It had a more athletic and taut vibe compared to the subcompact Buick Encore and the full-size Buick Enclave. The strong body lines along the sides and the upright rear section of the side windows gave it proportions similar to a BMW X1. Inside, the Envision's cabin initially appeared attractive with a clean and straightforward layout. However, closer inspection revealed that the materials used did not live up to the luxury billing Buick aimed for. The matte-finish materials used for some controls and the steering wheel felt coarse and cheap, detracting from the overall aesthetic.

In contrast, the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan, which was completely overhauled for the 2018 model year, maintained a stylish and conservatively German exterior. The clean and simple lines, along with the new flat logo and horizontal grille, gave it a contemporary Volkswagen look. However, the interior did not impress as much. Once known for its superior interiors, Volkswagen seemed to have cut costs, resulting in dull surfaces and hard black plastic. The cockpit was simple to the point of being boring, although the optional digital dashboard and glass-covered touchscreen infotainment system were highlights.

The 2019 Buick Envision offered two engine options. The FWD, Preferred, and Essence trims came with a 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 197 horsepower, paired with an outdated 6-speed automatic transmission. This setup felt underpowered and sluggish. The Premium and Premium II trims featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, delivering 252 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, paired with a new 9-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided solid acceleration and came standard with AWD. The Envision's steering was responsive, though it felt top-heavy in corners. Fuel economy for the 2.5-liter engine with FWD was 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined, while the turbo AWD model achieved 20/25/22 mpg.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine drove either the front or all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Tiguan's powertrain offered a snappy throttle response with minimal turbo lag, but it was only moderately quick due to its larger size and weight. The Tiguan's handling was impacted by its longer wheelbase, making it less nimble. However, it provided a comfortable driving experience with a well-insulated cabin, although some road noise could filter through on rough surfaces.

The 2019 Buick Envision offered plenty of room in the driver's seat, providing a commanding position and good visibility. The second row also had ample head- and legroom, with seats that could recline. With the rear seats up, the Envision provided 27 cubic feet of cargo space, which increased to 57 cubic feet when the seats were folded. This was on par with competitors like the Acura RDX. The Envision also featured helpful cargo tie-downs, deep pockets in all four doors, and a cargo tray above the glove box.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in practicality. The second row of seats could slide up to seven inches fore and aft, making the third row more usable. Although the third row was not spacious, it had enough legroom for shorter adults and was comfortable for kids. Front-drive Tiguans came with the third row as standard, while AWD models had it as an option. The split second-row seats folded flat, providing 65.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row collapsed, and 73.5 cubic feet in two-row models. The Tiguan's wide beam offered plenty of hip and shoulder room in the front seats, and the abundant glass made it feel roomier.

The 2019 Buick Envision came standard with GM's Intellilink infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with a straightforward layout. It included hard buttons and dials below the screen, and the system was compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The test vehicle also had wireless charging, although the design of the charging pocket was unconventional. Below the touchscreen, touch-capacitive controls for the climate and heated/cooled front seats were less responsive and seemed like unnecessary tech additions.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB II infotainment system, which was set to be replaced by MIB3 the following year. The current system was already one of the best on the market, with a 6.5-inch touchscreen in the base S trim and an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen in higher trims. The system was responsive and user-friendly, with bright colors and graphics. The Tiguan S had a single USB-C port, while higher trims had USB-A ports and a wireless charging pad. VW's Digital Cockpit, available on top SEL trims, was a customizable digital instrument panel that enhanced the driving experience. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot were standard.

The 2019 Buick Envision came standard with ten airbags, including side-curtain and knee airbags, and a reversing camera with Rear Park Assist. The Premium and Premium II trims featured GM’s Safety Alert Seat, which vibrated to alert the driver to potential hazards. Essence and Premium trims included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Premium trim also had lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision alert. The Driver Confidence Package, available on the Premium II trim, added adaptive cruise control, automatic front braking, and a 360-degree camera. However, many of these features were optional, unlike competitors like the Toyota RAV4, which offered them as standard.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan improved its standard safety package, adding forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert to all models. Adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assistance and LED headlights with automatic high beams were reserved for the top SEL trim. VW equipped all Tiguan models with Car-Net, a telematics package that connected the vehicle to an owner’s smartphone or watch through an app. Car-Net offered remote locking and unlocking, status checks, and vehicle location for five years. The IIHS rated the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick for SEL Premium models with LED headlights, while most Tiguans with halogen headlights received a poor rating.