2019 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe marked a significant departure from Hyundai's traditionally conservative styling. It showcased a bold, futuristic exterior that set it apart from previous models. However, its design wasn't entirely unique, as it bore a resemblance to the Jeep Cherokee's upper LED strip and mid-level headlight clusters. Despite this, Hyundai executed the design more effectively, giving the Santa Fe a distinctive look. Inside, the Santa Fe combined modern aesthetics with practical functionality. The cabin featured deep compartments in the doors and center console, earthy tones, unique speaker patterns, and a textured headliner that added a touch of style.

In contrast, the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained a conservative German design with clean, simple lines. The front fascia featured a horizontal grille connecting the headlights, adorned with VW's new flat logo. While the exterior was stylish, the interior fell short of expectations. The cabin had dull surfaces and hard black plastic, lacking the premium feel VW was once known for. However, the Tiguan's infotainment system, with its optional digital dashboard and glass-covered touchscreen, stood out as a highlight, offering a modern and user-friendly experience.

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options. The base 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine produced 185 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, while the Limited and Ultimate trims featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The base engine was noted for its sluggish performance, but the 2.0T provided strong acceleration and better driving dynamics. The Santa Fe had a ground clearance of 7.2 inches, making it less suitable for off-road adventures but offering a stable and composed ride on the road. The drive mode selector allowed for Sport, Comfort, and Smart settings, enhancing the driving experience. Fuel efficiency varied, with the FWD 2.4-liter engine achieving 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined, while the AWD turbo model returned 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, available in FWD or AWD. The Tiguan's powertrain offered a snappy throttle response and minimal turbo lag, but its larger size and weight made it less nimble compared to competitors. The Tiguan's suspension provided a comfortable ride, even on rough surfaces, and the drive mode selector allowed for off-road and sport settings. However, the steering remained light, even in sport mode. The Tiguan's fuel efficiency was competitive, with the FWD model achieving 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined, while the AWD model returned 20 mpg city, 27 highway, and 23 combined.

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe offered 71 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, which was less than some compact SUVs like the Honda CR-V. With the rear seats up, it provided 35.9 cubic feet of cargo space. The Santa Fe featured a hands-free power liftgate and multiple storage compartments throughout the cabin, enhancing its practicality.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in practicality with its flexible seating arrangement. The second row could slide up to seven inches, making the third row more usable. The third row, while not spacious, was suitable for shorter adults and children. FWD models came standard with the third row, while AWD models offered it as an option. The Tiguan's cargo space varied, with 65.7 cubic feet available when the third row was collapsed and 73.5 cubic feet in two-row models. The Tiguan's interior felt roomy, thanks to its wide beam and abundant glass, providing a comfortable driving experience.

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a user-friendly infotainment system with a floating screen design. The base SE trim included Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added satellite radio, HD Radio, and Hyundai's BlueLink infotainment system with Alexa integration. The Ultimate trim offered a head-up display, wireless charging pad, and an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen. The Santa Fe also included rear USB ports and a wall-style power outlet.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan's infotainment system, known as MIB II, was highly regarded for its user-friendly interface. The base S trim featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while higher trims offered an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen with bright colors and a responsive processor. The Tiguan S had a single USB-C port, while higher trims included USB-A ports and a wireless charging pad. VW's Digital Cockpit, available on top SEL trims, provided a customizable digital instrument panel. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot.

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Hyundai's Smart Sense package included forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Santa Fe also featured rear cross-path detection and the innovative Safe Exit Assist System, which tied the rear child-proof locks to the blind-spot monitoring 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. VW's Car-Net telematics package connected the vehicle to an owner's smartphone, offering remote locking and unlocking, status checks, and vehicle location. The Tiguan received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for top-of-the-line SEL Premium models with LED headlights.