2020 GMC Acadia vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2020 GMC Acadia was positioned as a premium brand, intended to be nicer than Chevys but not as luxurious as Cadillacs. Built on the same platform as the Cadillac XT5, the Acadia shared powertrains and assembly origins with its more upscale sibling. The Acadia Denali, with its all-wheel drive, Satin Steel Metallic paint, and Technology Package, had a window sticker price of $52,385. The design changes for 2020 were most noticeable in the front, with squared-off headlights and a boxier grille. Inside, the cabin featured new electronic transmission shift switches, a redesigned center console, and real open-pore wood trim for Denali models. However, the mix of soft surfaces and hard plastic panels, along with some contrast stitching and bronze-tinted plastic metallic accents, did not fully establish the Acadia as a premium choice.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, on the other hand, boasted clean lines and balanced proportions, offering a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic. The Tiguan was large for its class, nearly as spacious inside as a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento. This second-generation model featured a long-wheelbase version, providing a roomy and accommodating interior with plenty of space for four people, and an optional third-row seat expanding capacity to seven. The interior combined modern geometric forms with a no-nonsense control layout, though the engine start button's location on the center console was unusual. The cabin's somber tones were dressed up with shiny detailing, digital instrumentation, and a flush touchscreen infotainment system. However, the presence of hard plastic and flimsy steering wheel stalks reminded occupants that it was not an Audi.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered three different engines. Lower trims had a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The Acadia SLT featured a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 230 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque. The AT4 and Denali variants included a 310-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine, which was also available in most other Acadias. All engines were paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission, and the Acadia was available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), except for the AT4, which had a standard dual-clutch AWD system. The V6 and nine-speed automatic combination provided smooth, refined power and up to 4,000 pounds of towing capacity. The test vehicle's powertrain included automatic engine stop/start and an engine cylinder deactivation system, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg in combined driving. The Acadia's ride and handling were finely tuned, though the SUV was considered forgettable in terms of driving character.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels by default, with the 4Motion AWD system available as a $1,400 option on most models and standard with SEL Premium R-Line. The powertrain was adequate but suffered from turbocharger lag, making the engine feel breathless during passing or freeway entry. The EPA rated the Tiguan at 25 mpg in combined driving with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD, though testing showed an average of 22.6 mpg for the AWD model. The Tiguan provided a pleasurable driving experience with light but responsive steering, a compliant ride, refined braking, and tossable handling. However, it struggled with sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks, and the tires gave up grip early in corners. The Tiguan was quiet and composed on the highway, making long road trips more enjoyable.

The 2020 GMC Acadia could seat five, six, or seven passengers, depending on the trim level and configuration. The Denali trim provided 6-passenger seating with standard second-row captain’s chairs, though a bench seat was available as a no-cost option. The wide and supportive 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation ensured comfort, and the heated second-row captain’s chairs offered similar levels of comfort. The third-row seat was roomier than expected, though the distance between the seat and the back of the SUV was limited. Interior storage space improved with new electronic transmission controls and a reconfigured center console. Cargo volume measured 12.1 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 41.7 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded down, and 79 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded down.

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 was spacious with generous legroom and foot space, and passengers enjoyed air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The Tiguan had a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat, allowing for long items and four passengers. Cargo volume ranged from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, depending on whether the SUV had the third-row seat, and maximum capacity ranged from 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet.

The 2020 GMC Acadia included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and GMC Connected Services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Versions with an 8-inch touchscreen had a higher resolution display, a simplified user experience, and improved voice recognition. The test vehicle featured navigation and a Bose premium sound system, with voice-recognition technology passing most test prompts. The infotainment system was simple to understand and use, with new USB-C connection and charging ports, a more powerful wireless charging pad, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim, featuring 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 MIB3 system was an improvement, though the user interface had quirks, and the voice recognition technology was lacking. The six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music, while the SEL Premium R-Line featured a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system. The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line also had Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation.

The 2020 GMC Acadia came standard with a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. Standard GMC Connected Services included automatic collision notification and SOS emergency calling, though the free trial period was short. The base Acadia SL and up had a standard blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning system. Forward collision warning and low-speed automatic emergency braking were available starting with SLT or AT4 trim, part of a Driver Alert Package that also included lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, pedestrian braking, parking sensors, automatic high-beam headlights, and a head-up display. The enhanced automatic emergency braking system was exclusive to the Denali. The NHTSA gave the Acadia 5-star ratings in most assessments and a 4-star rollover resistance rating, while the IIHS provided incomplete data.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems, 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's adaptive cruise control demonstrated smooth braking, though it was slow to accelerate when traffic cleared. Lane-keep assist was effective but inconsistent, and the blind-spot warning indicator was easy to see. The parking sensors were sensitive, and the reversing camera provided a clear view. The SEL Premium R-Line had a top-down surround-view vantage point. Car-Net connected services included automatic collision notification, emergency calling, and Family Guardian alerts. The IIHS awarded the Tiguan a "Top Safety Pick" rating for SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims, while the NHTSA had not published complete crash-test results.