2019 Subaru Ascent vs 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2019 Subaru Ascent was a significant departure from Subaru’s previous attempt at a 3-row SUV, the B9 Tribeca. Unlike the Tribeca, which suffered from minimal cargo space, poor fuel economy, and an almost nonexistent third row, the Ascent was a full and honest effort. It featured big, bold styling, ample cargo and passenger space, and the latest infotainment and driver-assistance technologies. The Ascent had an upright design with pronounced fenders and an imposing grille, making it the largest Subaru passenger vehicle ever built with a wheelbase of 113.8 inches. Inside, it felt more like an extra-large Subaru Outback, offering a spacious cabin with either a 7-passenger layout with second-row captain’s chairs or an 8-passenger layout with a second-row bench. The trims included Base, Premium, Limited, and Touring, each offering various features such as 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and 19 cupholders. Higher trims added features like a windshield de-icer, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and advanced driver-assistance technologies.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan, on the other hand, was a product of a complete overhaul in 2018, addressing the original Tiguan’s size and price issues. The new Tiguan featured contemporary Volkswagen styling with clean and simple lines, a horizontal grille, and a flat logo. Inside, however, the Tiguan’s interior was plain, with dull surfaces and hard black plastic. The focus was on electronics, with an optional digital dashboard and a glass-covered touchscreen infotainment system. The Tiguan’s design was conservative, lacking adventurous elements but appealing in its simplicity.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The CVT had a manual tap-shift function with simulated “gears.” The Ascent offered impressive pickup in both city and highway driving, with well-weighted steering and precise cornering. It had 8.7 inches of ground clearance and a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds with a tow-prep package. Fuel economy was 21 mpg city, 27 highway, and 23 combined, with the Limited trim returning 22.7 mpg in mixed driving.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, driving 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 larger size and weight. The Tiguan’s handling was impacted by its longer wheelbase, making it less nimble. The suspension was soft, ensuring a comfortable driving experience, even on rough roads. The Tiguan was a quiet highway cruiser, with a well-insulated cabin and minimal engine noise.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent offered plenty of legroom and headroom in the first and second rows, while the third row was tighter for full-size adults. The third row was mostly for kids or could be dropped to make more room for gear. The Ascent had 19 cupholders and provided 47 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row dropped, expanding to 86 cubic feet with all rear seats down, more than the Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, and Honda Pilot.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan’s second row could slide up to seven inches fore and aft, making the third row useful for shorter adults and kids. Front-drive Tiguans had the third row as standard, while AWD models had it as an option. The third row had enough legroom but a low cushion position. The second row folded flat, providing 65.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row collapsed, and 73.5 cubic feet in two-row Tiguans. The Tiguan felt roomy, with plenty of hip and shoulder room in the front seats and abundant glass in its greenhouse.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent came standard with Subaru’s StarLink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the base trim, and an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system had easy-to-follow menus, physical buttons, and real dials for volume and tuning. The optional Technology Package added a Harman Kardon premium stereo, panoramic moonroof, navigation, and real-time traffic and weather updates.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the “MIB II” infotainment system, with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display on the base S trim and an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen on SE and higher trims. The system had a glass surface, bright colors, and a speedy processor. 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 was available on top SEL trims, offering a customizable digital instrument panel. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot were standard.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent came standard with a full array of front- and side-impact airbags, vehicle dynamics control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assist technology was standard on all trims, including pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Higher trims added blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and reverse automatic emergency braking. The Ascent was backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

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. 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 was rated a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS for top-of-the-line SEL Premium models with LED headlights.