2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, introduced as part of a mid-cycle refresh, closely resembled its gasoline counterpart in terms of dimensions and design. Measuring 182.1 inches in length, 73.0 inches in width, and 66.5 inches in height, it featured identical 19-inch alloy wheels. The interior also mirrored the gasoline model, with the same dash, multi-function center console, 7-inch infotainment screen, and steering-wheel-mounted functions. Subtle differences included blue-outlined Honda emblems, "Hybrid" badges, a hidden exhaust in the rear bumper, and LED fog lights on EX models and above. Inside, the gear shifter was replaced with a push-button selector, and paddle shifters adjusted brake regeneration rather than shifting gears.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan boasted clean lines and balanced proportions, offering a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic. It was larger than its predecessor, nearly matching the interior space of a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento. This upsizing resulted in a roomy interior, accommodating up to seven passengers with an optional third-row seat for AWD models. The interior featured modern geometric forms and a no-nonsense control layout, with the engine start button oddly placed on the center console. Shiny detailing, digital instrumentation, and a flush touchscreen infotainment system added a touch of sophistication, though the presence of hard plastics and flimsy steering wheel stalks detracted from the overall premium feel.

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system with AWD, combining a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric generator/starter motor and a propulsion motor. This setup eliminated the need for a conventional transmission, using four fixed-ratio gear sets and a lock-up clutch. The total system output was 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque, compared to the gasoline model's 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid achieved an EPA rating of 40 mpg city, 35 highway, and 38 combined, significantly better than the gasoline model's 27/32/29 mpg. However, it ranked third among hybrid competitors, behind the Ford Escape Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. During testing in Tucson, Arizona, the CR-V Hybrid achieved nearly 41 mpg in city driving. The hybrid's EV mode was limited to about a mile under specific conditions, and the brake-regen adjustments were the primary driving options. The CR-V Hybrid offered a compliant ride and good steering feel, with the AWD system engaging as needed.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by 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. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels, with 4Motion AWD available as an option. The engine experienced some turbo lag, making it feel breathless during passing maneuvers or when extra power was needed. The Tiguan's nearly 4,000-pound curb weight contributed to this perception. The EPA rated the Tiguan at 25 mpg combined for FWD and 24 mpg for AWD, with testing revealing an average of 22.6 mpg for the AWD model. Despite the lag, the Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience with light, responsive steering, a compliant ride, refined braking, and nimble handling. However, it struggled over sharp speed bumps and railroad tracks, and the tires lost grip early in corners. The Tiguan excelled on the highway, providing a quiet and composed ride.

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, sharing its dimensions with the gasoline model, compromised on cargo capacity due to the battery pack beneath the cargo floor. It offered 33.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 68.7 cubic feet with the seats folded flat, compared to the non-hybrid's 39.2 and 75.8 cubic feet. Despite this, it still provided more volume than the Ford Escape Hybrid. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered slightly more cargo space with 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 69.8 cubic feet when folded. The CR-V Hybrid featured a low cargo floor for easy loading and unloading and maintained passenger comfort with more overall space than its competitors. The configurable center console bin was a practical addition, though the armrest's adjustability was too loose.

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, ensuring proper support and excellent visibility. The V-Tex leatherette upholstery mimicked real leather, and the dual-zone climate control system was effective. The back seat provided generous legroom and foot space, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for passengers. The optional panoramic sunroof was enjoyable, thanks to a wind deflector that minimized noise. Storage space was limited, with a tricky-to-access slot for the wireless smartphone charger. The Tiguan's 40/20/40-split folding rear seat allowed for versatile cargo configurations, with cargo volume ranging from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet with the seats folded, depending on the presence of the third-row seat.

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid came standard with Bluetooth connectivity, Pandora compatibility, and a single 1.0-amp USB connector in the front console. Higher trims added keyless entry, push-button start, and automatic headlights. The EX trim introduced a 7-inch touchscreen display, Honda Link, smartphone integration, SiriusXM and HD radio, a 180-watt stereo, and additional USB ports. The top-tier Touring trim offered navigation, wireless device charging, and a 330-watt premium audio system. The infotainment system lacked haptic feedback, and turning off the automatic beep sound required navigating through multiple menus. The instrument panel provided useful information but required flipping through various menus, which could be distracting while driving.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the next-generation Modular Infotainment Toolkit (MIB) platform called MIB3, available starting with the SE trim. MIB3 included an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing, and expanded features such as 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 infotainment system was an improvement but had quirks, and the voice recognition technology was subpar. The standard six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music, while the SEL Premium R-Line's nine-speaker Fender premium audio system performed better. The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation, offering an understated approach to technology and information display.

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and a 5-Star Safety Rating from NHTSA. It came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of safety and driver-assistance technologies including automatic braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, automatic high beams, and a multi-angle rearview camera. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available starting with the EX trim.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with IQ Drive, a collection of advanced driving assistance systems. Standard features included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SE trim added adaptive cruise control, while the SEL trim included lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist. The SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights and front and rear parking sensors. The adaptive cruise control demonstrated smooth braking but was slow to recognize vehicles cutting in. Lane-keep assist was effective but inconsistent, and the blind-spot warning indicator was easy to see. The parking sensors were sensitive, sometimes mistaking the street for a collision threat. The standard reversing camera provided a clear view, with a top-down surround-view available on the SEL Premium R-Line. Car-Net connected services offered numerous safety features, including automatic collision notification and Family Guardian alerts. The IIHS awarded the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick rating for the SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims, while NHTSA had not published complete crash-test results.