2019 GMC Acadia vs 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2019 GMC Acadia was a handsome SUV with a shorter wheelbase that provided a more athletic stance and an upright grille that gave it an upscale appearance. Despite not being marketed as a luxury SUV, it was as nice as, if not nicer than, the more expensive Buick Envision. The Acadia had broader appeal than other GM vehicles like the Chevrolet Equinox and Buick Envision, feeling closer in size to compact competitors such as the Nissan Rogue. The Acadia's trims ranged from the base SL to the luxurious Denali, with each trim adding more features and options, making it a versatile choice for various buyers.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan, completely overhauled for the 2018 model year, addressed its predecessor's size and price issues. The new Tiguan was stylish and conservatively German, with clean lines and a horizontal grille. Inside, however, it felt plain, with dull surfaces and hard black plastic. The focus seemed to be on electronics, with an optional digital dashboard and a glass-covered touchscreen infotainment system. Despite the interior's simplicity, the Tiguan's practicality and contemporary design made it a strong contender in the compact crossover segment.

The 2019 GMC Acadia offered two engine options: an inline 4-cylinder and a V6. The base 4-cylinder engine produced 193 horsepower and was available only with front-wheel drive (FWD). The 3.6-liter V6 engine, making 310 horsepower, was available with both FWD and all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 provided fantastic acceleration and could tow up to 4,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Acadia's AWD system featured GMC's Active Twin Clutch system, allowing drivers to switch between FWD, AWD, Sport mode, and All-Terrain mode. Fuel economy for the base 4-cylinder engine was 21 mpg city, 26 highway, and 23 combined, while the V6 AWD returned 17/25/20 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 snappy throttle response and minimal turbo lag, but it was only moderately quick due to its weight. The Tiguan's handling was impacted by its larger size, with a longer wheelbase making it less nimble. However, the suspension provided a comfortable driving experience, even on rough roads. The Tiguan's cabin was well-insulated from wind noise, making it a quiet highway cruiser.

The 2019 GMC Acadia provided ample space for the driver and front passenger, with deep trays for small items and functional in-door bins. The SL, SLE-1, and SLE-2 trims featured 7-passenger seating, while the SLT-1 AWD had 6-passenger seating with second-row captain's chairs. The second-row seats were comfortable and provided decent head- and legroom, but the third-row seats were suitable only for kids. The Acadia offered 12.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 41.7 cubic feet with the third row folded and up to 79 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in practicality, with a second row of seats that could slide up to seven inches fore and aft, making the third row useful. Front-drive Tiguans had a standard third row, while AWD models had it as an option. The third row had enough legroom for shorter adults and kids, though the low cushion position relative to the floor was a drawback. The Tiguan's cargo space was impressive, with 65.7 cubic feet when the third row was 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, making it feel as roomy as many midsize SUVs.

The 2019 GMC Acadia's base SL trim came with a 7-inch touchscreen running GMC's IntelliLink infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, five USB ports, and a WiFi hotspot. The SLT-1 trim upgraded to an 8-inch screen, and the Denali trim added standard navigation. Higher trims also included a 4.2-inch color information display within the gauge cluster, with the Denali offering an 8-inch display. The Acadia was available with a color head-up display, providing information such as vehicle speed, engine rpm, and safety alerts.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB II infotainment system, 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 two USB-A ports and a wireless charging pad. VW's Digital Cockpit, available on top SEL trims, was a fully digital instrument panel that could be customized and reconfigured. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot.

The 2019 GMC Acadia came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, and traction control. The Driver Alert Package 1, standard on the SLT-1 and optional on the SLE-2, added a blind-spot warning system, lane-change alert, and rear park assist. The SLT-2 trim included the Driver Alert Package 2, which added low-speed forward automatic braking, lane-departure warning, pedestrian detection, forward-collision alert, adaptive headlights, and high beams. These packages provided comprehensive driver-assistance features, though some were standard on base trims of competitors like the Toyota RAV4.

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's Car-Net telematics package connected the vehicle to an owner's smartphone or watch, offering remote locking and unlocking, status checks, and vehicle location. The IIHS rated the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick for SEL Premium models with LED headlights, while most Tiguans had halogen headlights rated poor.