2019 Ford Edge vs 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2019 Ford Edge received a facelift that included a new grille, headlights, and lower front fascia, giving it a sportier appearance. The rear also saw updates with new taillights and a larger black panel replacing the red connector between the taillights. Despite these exterior changes, the interior remained largely unchanged from previous models, feeling dated and heavily reliant on plastics. The cabin featured a new rotary shifter but still felt like a decade-old design.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan, on the other hand, showcased contemporary Volkswagen styling with clean lines and a horizontal grille connecting the headlights. The interior, however, was plain and featured dull surfaces and hard black plastic. While the cockpit was simple, the focus was on electronics, with an optional digital dashboard and a glass-covered touchscreen infotainment system being the highlights.

The 2019 Ford Edge offered a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine for non-ST trims, producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) for an additional $1,995. The ST trim featured a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with AWD. The ST provided fantastic acceleration and impressive cornering abilities, making it a balanced and precise performer. Fuel economy for the base 2.0-liter FWD was 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined, while the ST returned 19/26/21.

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 was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, available in both FWD and AWD for an additional $1,300. The Tiguan's powertrain offered snappy throttle response and minimal turbo lag, but it was only moderately quick due to its larger size and weight. The Tiguan provided a quiet and comfortable ride, with a soft suspension that ensured a smooth driving experience even on rough roads. However, its handling was less nimble compared to smaller competitors.

The 2019 Ford Edge's cabin, though dated, was practical with deep cargo bins, USB ports, and large in-door pockets. The front seats were comfortable, but the ST trim's bucket seats were not ideal for taller individuals. The rear seats were spacious, providing ample head- and legroom, and the cargo space was generous with 39 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in practicality with a second row that could slide up to seven inches, making the third row more usable. The third row, though not spacious, was suitable for shorter adults and children. FWD models came standard with the third row, while AWD models had it as an option. The Tiguan offered 65.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row folded and 73.5 cubic feet in two-row models. The front seats provided plenty of room, and the abundant glass made the cabin feel even more spacious.

The 2019 Ford Edge's base infotainment system featured a small 4.2-inch non-touchscreen with basic functionality, including a USB port, WiFi hotspot, streaming music, Bluetooth, and voice recognition. Higher trims offered an 8-inch Sync 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration, providing a more user-friendly experience despite middling graphics.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan's infotainment system, called MIB II, featured 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, offered a customizable digital instrument panel. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot.

The 2019 Ford Edge came standard with a reversing camera, traction control, and a full complement of airbags. It also included Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assistance features, such as automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beams, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims could be upgraded with the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package, adding adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and a lane-centering system.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan improved its standard safety package by adding forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. However, features like adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assistance and LED headlights with automatic high beams were reserved for the top SEL trim. All models came with Car-Net, a telematics package offering remote locking and unlocking, status checks, and vehicle location. The Tiguan was rated a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS for SEL Premium models with LED headlights.