2020 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premier sought to provide a blend of luxury and SUV practicality. Decked out with Premier trim, a more powerful engine, all-wheel drive (AWD), a power panoramic sunroof, and the optional Confidence and Convenience II package, this model had a sticker price of $40,040. This seemingly high price was often mitigated by Chevrolet's rebates and incentives, such as a $4,500 discount.

The Equinox exhibited a clean, appealing design that avoided excessive SUV styling cues. The Premier trim particularly stood out with its 19-inch wheels and gray contrast cladding, which diminished its visual height. The SUV’s top-of-the-line trim level was characterized by roof rails and extra chrome detailing, marking its premium status.

Inside, the Equinox Premier featured a high-contrast Jet Black and Brandy leather interior, enhanced by a panoramic sunroof and polished metallic accents. However, the upscale appearance was somewhat marred by the pervasive use of hard, shiny plastic materials, which felt inconsistent with its price point.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan embraced clean lines and balanced proportions. While some may have considered its styling understated, the Tiguan’s conservative, upscale, and timeless design was likely to age gracefully. The second-generation Tiguan was significantly larger than its predecessor, almost rivalling mid-size SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento in interior space.

The larger size led to a roomy and accommodating interior, with ample space for four people—five if necessary. The optional third-row seat expanded capacity to seven, although this was more suitable for children. Volkswagen’s interior design featured modern geometric forms and a practical control layout, with the only odd placement being the engine start button to the upper left of the gear selector.

Volkswagen's attention to detail included shiny accents, digital instrumentation, and an integrated infotainment system with a flush touchscreen display. Despite these features, the Tiguan’s interior still had too much hard plastic to be confused with an Audi, and some of the controls felt less robust.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox offered two turbocharged engines: a standard 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and an optional 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine. The 1.5-liter engine produced 170 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 203 lb-ft of torque between 2,500 and 4,500 rpm, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided decent performance with an AWD version averaging 24.3 mpg, slightly below the EPA’s 28 mpg estimate.

The optional 2.0-liter turbocharged engine was more powerful, delivering 252 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque between 2,500 and 4,500 rpm. It came with a 9-speed automatic transmission, improving both performance and fuel economy. However, real-world testing showed an average of 22.1 mpg versus the EPA’s 24 mpg estimate. Both engine options provided a firm ride, with the Premier’s 19-inch wheels offering better maneuverability and a more athletic feel on winding roads.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower at 4,360 rpm and 221 lb-ft of torque at a low 1,600 rpm. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, sending power to the FWD by default, with 4Motion AWD as an optional $1,400 upgrade, standard on SEL Premium R-Line.

While the Tiguan’s powertrain was adequate, it suffered from noticeable turbo lag, making it feel lethargic during initial acceleration. However, once the turbo spooled up, the engine provided a satisfying performance. The Tiguan's nearly 4,000-pound curb weight also contributed to its perception of being underpowered.

The EPA rated the Tiguan at 25 mpg for combined driving with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD. During testing, the AWD version averaged 22.6 mpg. Despite some performance drawbacks, the Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience, thanks to light and responsive steering, a soft ride, and refined braking. The suspension, however, struggled with sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks, affecting overall comfort.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox focused on comfort and practicality. The LS trim featured durable cloth upholstery and a Convenience Package with a 10-way power driver’s seat. The Premier trim boasted leather seats, an 8-way power front passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The seats were generally comfortable but could benefit from more thigh support.

The Equinox’s sliding rear seat maximized passenger or cargo space as needed. With the seat slid back, legroom was generous, accommodating two adults or three children. The Premier trim included rear air conditioning vents and USB ports. Cargo volume was 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down, supplemented by various storage bins and trays throughout the cabin.

In comparison, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan emphasized occupant comfort. Large door openings and tall seating positions facilitated easy entry and exit. The Tiguan featured perforated V-Tex leatherette upholstery and a dual-zone climate control system. The back seat offered excellent space and support, with rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports, ensuring comfort for even the tallest passengers.

The Tiguan’s cargo capacity depended on the seating configuration. Without the third-row seat, it offered 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 73.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. With the third-row seat, it provided 33 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to a maximum of 65.7 cubic feet. A 40/20/40-split folding rear seat made carrying long items and passengers simultaneously convenient.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox’s infotainment systems ranged from basic 7-inch displays to advanced 8-inch touchscreens. All systems included Bluetooth for two devices, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and Chevrolet Connected Access services. Higher trims offered navigation, improved voice recognition, HD Radio, satellite radio, and a Bose premium sound system. The technology was intuitive, with wireless smartphone charging and an optional dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system available.

For the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, the introduction of the MIB3 platform marked a significant upgrade. Starting with SE trim, it featured an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing times, and expanded features such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi for four devices, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. Car-Net services included remote engine starting and crash notifications. However, the voice recognition technology needed improvement, and the standard six-speaker sound system struggled with certain audio content. The SEL Premium R-Line trim featured a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system and Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, a safe following distance monitor, and automatic high beams. Additional features included a reversing camera, rear-seat reminder system, and Teen Driver technology. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, and high-definition camera systems. The Equinox achieved top safety ratings from the IIHS and a 5-star rating from NHTSA.

Similarly, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured IQ Drive, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert as standard. The SE trim added adaptive cruise control, while the SEL included lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist. The SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights and parking sensors. The Tiguan also had Car-Net connected services, providing features like automatic collision notification and Family Guardian alerts. The IIHS awarded the Tiguan a "Top Safety Pick" rating for SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.