2020 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2019 Jeep Cherokee

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee underwent a significant redesign to address the polarizing styling of its predecessor. The new front-end design adopted a more conventional look, replacing the isolated daytime running lights and fog-light-like headlights with a typical headlight-above/fog-light-below configuration. The rear hatch also saw improvements, with the license-plate frame moved to the center, giving it a more modern appearance. Inside, the Cherokee retained its well-received dash and cabin layout, offering a sensible and logical control setup, reminiscent of a downsized Grand Cherokee. The interior blended form and function, with ample storage compartments and a user-friendly design.

In contrast, the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained a conservative yet stylish German design. The exterior featured clean lines and a horizontal grille connecting the headlights, giving it a contemporary Volkswagen look. However, the interior was less impressive, with plain surfaces and hard black plastic that lacked the premium feel of earlier VW models. The cockpit was simple, bordering on boring, but the focus on electronics was evident. The optional digital dashboard and glass-covered touchscreen infotainment system were highlights, offering a modern, smartphone-like experience.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee offered a range of engines, starting with the base 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque. This engine was standard on the Latitude, Latitude Plus, and FWD Limited trims. The 4WD Limited, Overland, and Trailhawk trims came with a 3.2-liter V6 engine, delivering 271 horsepower and 239 pound-feet of torque. A new addition for 2019 was the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, generating 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, available across the lineup except for the base Latitude. All engines were paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, with various 4WD systems available, including Active Drive I, Active Drive II, and Active Drive Lock. The Cherokee excelled in off-road capabilities, especially the Trailhawk trim, which featured an off-road suspension and additional ground clearance. On-road performance was solid, with the turbocharged engine providing good acceleration but being somewhat noisy. The Cherokee also offered decent towing capabilities, with a maximum of 4,500 pounds for the V6 engine and 4,000 pounds for the turbocharged engine.

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, driving either the front or all four wheels. The Tiguan's powertrain offered a snappy throttle response with minimal turbo lag, but its larger size and weight made it only moderately quick. The Tiguan's handling was impacted by its longer wheelbase, resulting in a less nimble feel. However, the suspension provided a comfortable driving experience, even on rough roads. The Tiguan's engine was relatively quiet, and the cabin was well-insulated from wind noise, making it a good highway cruiser.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee featured a highly functional control layout, with plenty of storage solutions within the driver's reach, including deep pockets in the front doors, a tray by the shifter, and a deep center console. The Cherokee also offered a hands-free power liftgate as an option, although the sensor was not always reliable. However, the Cherokee's cargo space was limited, with just 25 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 54 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which was below average for the compact crossover class.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in practicality, starting with its second-row seats that could slide up to seven inches fore and aft, making the third row more usable. The third row, although not spacious, provided enough legroom for shorter adults and was cozy for kids. Front-drive Tiguans came with the third row as standard, while AWD models had it as an option. The Tiguan's cargo space was impressive, with 65.7 cubic feet of capacity when the third row was collapsed and 73.5 cubic feet in two-row models. The Tiguan's interior felt roomy, with plenty of hip and shoulder room in the front seats and a seating position that made it feel larger than it was.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee came standard with a 7-inch Uconnect touchscreen, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims included an 8.3-inch Uconnect system with updated graphics, improved responsiveness, and pinch-to-zoom navigation. The touchscreen menu had a great layout, with customizable screens and drag-and-drop functionality. Uconnect continued to set the standard for user-friendly infotainment systems.

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 8-inch screen was among the best in the industry, with a glass surface, bright colors, and a speedy processor. 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 Jeep Cherokee came standard with front and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, hill-start assist, keyless entry, and trailer-sway control. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, rear parking sensors, forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, adaptive cruise control, and a self-parking feature.

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. 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, vehicle location, and more. The Tiguan was rated a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS for SEL Premium models with LED headlights.