2020 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2020 Ford Expedition, last redesigned in 2018, was a full-size SUV with a clean, albeit somewhat boring, design. This simplicity in styling was expected to age well, making it a good long-term investment. The King Ranch variant stood out with its 22-inch aluminum wheels, mesh grille insert, LED headlights, and exclusive gray-painted lower exterior trim. The Star White metallic paint on the test SUV looked impressive, though the taillight shape and roof C-pillar design were points of contention. Inside, the King Ranch featured special Del Rio leather in Mesa over Ebony, adorned with King Ranch logos, which sparked mixed reactions from passengers. Despite the luxurious feel, the presence of hard plastic, especially in lower trims, was disappointing for a vehicle in this price range.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan boasted clean lines and balanced proportions, offering a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic. This second-generation model corrected the size issues of its predecessor, providing a spacious interior comparable to larger SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento. The Tiguan's interior was roomy, accommodating four adults comfortably, with an optional third-row seat for up to seven passengers, though the third row was best suited for children. The interior design featured modern geometric forms and a no-nonsense control layout, with some quirks like the engine start button's placement. While the cabin had shiny detailing and a well-integrated touchscreen infotainment system, the abundance of hard plastic and flimsy steering wheel stalks detracted from its premium feel.

The 2020 Ford Expedition was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided robust performance, though it lacked the traditional V8 rumble. The Expedition offered rear-wheel drive as standard, with an optional four-wheel-drive system. It had a ground clearance of 9.8 inches (9.7 inches for the MAX 4WD) and impressive towing capacities of up to 9,300 pounds. The driving experience was generally pleasant, with the engine supplying ample power and the 10-speed automatic ensuring smooth gear shifts. However, the steering was slow, requiring significant effort in tight spaces. The adaptive damping suspension on the King Ranch trim improved ride quality, though the large 22-inch wheels sometimes made the ride busy on imperfect roads. The independent rear suspension design enhanced ride and handling, as well as interior space. Fuel economy averaged 17.7 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower at 4,360 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm. This engine, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, powered the front wheels by default, with an optional 4Motion AWD system. The powertrain was adequate but suffered from turbo lag, making acceleration feel delayed. The Tiguan's nearly 4,000-pound curb weight contributed to a sense of lethargy during high-demand situations. The EPA rated the Tiguan at 25 mpg combined for FWD and 24 mpg for AWD, but real-world testing showed an average of 22.6 mpg. Despite the engine's shortcomings, the Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience with light, responsive steering, a compliant ride, and refined braking. However, the suspension struggled with sharper bumps, and the tires lacked grip in corners. On the highway, the Tiguan was quiet and composed, making it suitable for long trips.

The 2020 Ford Expedition excelled in towing, cargo carrying, and passenger hauling. The King Ranch trim featured power running boards for easy access, and the interior offered comfortable seating, especially in the heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row captain’s chairs provided first-class accommodations, and the third-row seat was genuinely comfortable for adults, thanks to the independent rear suspension. Cargo space in the standard-length Expedition was 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 104.6 cubic feet with the second row down. The long-wheelbase Expedition MAX offered even more cargo space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 121.5 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors and tall seating hip points for easy access. The front seats offered a wide range of adjustments and excellent visibility, with V-Tex leatherette upholstery mimicking real leather. The back seat provided generous legroom and foot space, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for passengers. The optional panoramic sunroof added to the cabin's appeal. Storage space was limited, with a small slot for wireless smartphone charging. The Tiguan's 40/20/40-split folding rear seat allowed for flexible cargo and passenger arrangements. Cargo volume ranged from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, depending on the presence of the third-row seat, and expanded to 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2020 Ford Expedition featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 3, which, while easy to use, was slow to load and respond. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, a navigation system, and an available Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. A rear-seat entertainment system and Pro Trailer Backup Assist were also available, the latter providing a knob to control trailer direction while the SUV autonomously steered.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing, and expanded features. These included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi for up to four devices, SiriusXM 360L, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and a range of Car-Net connected services. The system had some quirks, and the standard six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music. Higher trims offered the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system.

The 2020 Ford Expedition came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The ADAS performed well, though the lane departure warning could be confused with road vibrations. The Expedition earned 5-star ratings in NHTSA crash tests, with a 4-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the IQ Drive suite of ADAS, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were effective but had some inconsistencies. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS for SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims, thanks to high-performing LED headlights.