2020 Dodge Durango vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2020 Dodge Durango carried its styling over from a 2014 update, with its third generation dating back to a complete redesign in 2011. The connections to the Charger muscle sedan were evident, though the Durango was based on a decade-old platform. Its cabin design was straightforward but felt somewhat dated, especially compared to the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which shared the same platform but had received more significant updates. The Durango was in desperate need of a refresh, which was expected for the 2021 model year with more aggressive exterior styling and a heavily reworked cabin.

Trims for the 2020 Durango included SXT, GT, Citadel, R/T, and SRT. The SXT came standard with 18-inch wheels, three-zone climate control, manually adjustable front seats, a 7-inch digital instrument panel screen, dual USB ports, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a six-speaker stereo. The GT trim added 20-inch wheels, a sport-inspired grille, remote start, LED fog lights, dual exhaust, and a power rear liftgate. The R/T trim featured rain-sensing wipers, a four-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, and memory settings for the driver’s seat and power-adjustable tilt-telescoping steering wheel. The Citadel trim added unique chrome exterior touches, 20-inch polished aluminum wheels, and a power moonroof. The range-topping SRT had a more aggressive lower front fascia, auto-leveling headlights, and 20-inch black wheels, with options for red leather performance seats and racing stripes.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan had clean lines and balanced proportions, offering a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic. It was large for its class, nearly as big inside as a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento. The Tiguan’s upsizing resulted in a roomy and accommodating interior with plenty of space for four people, and a small third-row seat expanded passenger capacity to seven, though it was best suited for children.

Volkswagen combined modern geometric interior forms with a purposeful, no-nonsense control layout. The cabin featured shiny detailing, available digital instrumentation, and a deftly integrated touchscreen infotainment system. However, there was too much hard plastic, and the steering wheel stalks felt a little flimsy. Trims included S, SE, and SEL, with sporty R-Line design and equipment upgrades available in SE R-Line Black and SEL Premium R-Line. Pricing ranged between $25,245 and $39,095, not including the $1,195 destination charge.

The 2020 Dodge Durango offered a range of engines. The SXT, GT, and Citadel came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, which was also available on the Citadel. The range-topping SRT came with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8, branded the "392," producing 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or available all-wheel drive (AWD) depending on the trim.

The V6 engine provided decent power, while the 5.7-liter V8 in the R/T offered confident acceleration. The SRT, with its 392 cubic inch V8, delivered strong low-end power and impressive high-speed performance. The SRT also featured a performance-tuned suspension and Brembo performance brakes. The Dodge SRT performance pages in the 8.4-inch touchscreen provided detailed engine status updates, a G-force meter, and the ability to record 0-60, 0-100, and quarter-mile times, along with drive mode customization.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan had a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 horsepower at 4,360 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels by default, with the 4Motion AWD system available for $1,400 on most models and standard on the SEL Premium R-Line. The powertrain was adequate but suffered from turbocharger lag, making the engine feel breathless during passing or freeway entry. The Tiguan’s nearly 4,000-pound curb weight contributed to this perception of lethargy.

The EPA rated the Tiguan at 25 mpg in combined driving with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD. During testing, the Tiguan AWD averaged 22.6 mpg. The Tiguan provided a pleasurable driving experience with light but responsive steering, a soft and compliant ride, refined braking action, and nimble handling. However, it struggled with sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks, and the tires gave up grip early in corners, encouraging slower driving. The Tiguan was remarkably quiet and composed on the highway.

The 2020 Dodge Durango provided 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 47.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.5 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. This was on par with the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. The Durango had a towing capacity ranging from 6,200 pounds to 8,700 pounds. The cabin offered plenty of space, with comfortable front seats and a second row available with a three-passenger bench or captain's chairs. The third row was best suited for kids. The driver and front passenger had access to multiple cargo bins, bottle- and cupholders, and various trays.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors and tall seating hip points for easy entry and exit. The front seats offered a wide range of adjustments, and the V-Tex leatherette upholstery provided good support. The back seat had generous legroom and foot space, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for passengers. The Tiguan had a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat, allowing for long items and four passengers. Cargo volume ranged between 33 and 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, with a maximum capacity of 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet.

The 2020 Dodge Durango’s SXT and GT trims came with a 7-inch touchscreen, while an 8.4-inch touchscreen was optional on the GT and standard on other trims. The Uconnect infotainment system was user-friendly, with a tablet-inspired layout and dock icons for easy navigation. The Durango came standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The R/T, Citadel, and SRT trims included navigation, SiriusXM Travel Link, and an Alpine premium audio system, with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system available.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim, with an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing, and expanded features. Highlights included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi for up to four devices, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and Car-Net connected services. The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation. The SEL Premium R-Line also had a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system.

The 2020 Dodge Durango came with front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, and trailer sway control. Rear parking sensors were available on the SXT and standard on other trims. The Technology Group package added adaptive cruise control, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-path detection were also available. The Durango earned a four-star rating from the NHTSA and a Moderate score in driver’s side small-front overlap testing from the IIHS.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came with IQ Drive, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SE trim added adaptive cruise control, the SEL added lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, and the SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights. The Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.