2021 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2020 Jeep Compass

The 2020 Jeep Compass reflected the more refined side of the Jeep brand, akin to the Grand Cherokee. It was a handsome SUV available in four core trim levels: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk. Jeep offered various packages and special edition trim upgrades to enhance the lineup. Prices started at $22,280 for a Compass Sport with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission, while the High Altitude upgrade for the Compass Limited with all-wheel drive was priced from $32,645. Our test vehicle, a 2020 Compass Limited with AWD and numerous options, totaled $39,755, including the destination charge. Despite its premium features, the Compass had some cost-cutting measures that detracted from its overall appeal.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan boasted clean lines and balanced proportions, offering a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic. It was large for its class, nearly as spacious 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 an optional third-row seat expanded passenger capacity to seven. The interior featured modern geometric forms and a no-nonsense control layout, though it had more hard plastic than an Audi. Pricing ranged from $25,245 to $39,095, not including the destination charge. Our test vehicle, an SEL trim with 4Motion AWD, was priced at $35,040.

The 2020 Jeep Compass was powered by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, known as the Tigershark, producing 180 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 175 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm. However, the engine was loud, slow, and thirsty, with sluggish acceleration and nearly non-existent passing power. The test vehicle averaged 23.1 mpg, falling short of the EPA rating of 25 mpg in combined driving. The nine-speed automatic transmission often shifted harshly and resisted downshifts, while the automatic engine stop/start system could be deactivated. The Compass's suspension controlled body roll but allowed too much vertical motion and impact harshness. The steering was heavy and vague, and the brake pedal was sensitive. Off-road, the Compass, especially in Trailhawk trim, offered decent capability with added ground clearance and an Active Drive Low AWD system.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured 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 4Motion AWD available as an option. The powertrain suffered from turbocharger lag, making the engine feel breathless during passing maneuvers. The test model averaged 22.6 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 24 mpg with AWD. The Tiguan provided a pleasurable driving experience with light but responsive steering, a compliant ride, refined braking action, and tossable handling. However, it struggled with sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks, and the tires gave up grip early in corners. On the highway, the Tiguan was quiet and composed, making long road trips enjoyable.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered a new-for-2020 Luxury Seat Group, adding premium leather, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, and a memory function for the driver. The back seat was roomy, with air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and a 115-volt power outlet for rear passengers. Cargo space measured 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. However, the optional spare tire and Alpine subwoofer housing took up some space, and the cabin had scant storage room and awkwardly positioned cupholders.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors, tall seating hip points, and a wide range of front seat adjustments. The V-Tex leatherette upholstery and dual-zone climate control system added to the comfort. The back seat offered excellent occupant support, generous legroom, and foot space, with 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 the presence of the third-row seat, with a maximum capacity of 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet.

The 2020 Jeep Compass featured an excellent Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and 4G LTE WiFi. It also offered SiriusXM Guardian connected services, a navigation system, and an Alpine premium audio system. Uconnect was intuitive and easy to use, though some features were embedded in menus. The voice recognition system worked well with naturally spoken requests, and drivers could adjust the stereo and climate controls using voice commands.

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, but the user interface had quirks, and the voice recognition technology was lacking. The standard 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 Jeep Compass offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic warning. These systems performed to average expectations, with some overreacting and causing confusion. The Compass earned Good ratings in most IIHS crash tests but had mixed ratings from NHTSA.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came with 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, while the SEL 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 accelerate when traffic cleared. The lane-keep assist was effective but inconsistent. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.