2021 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2020 Land Rover Defender

The 2020 Land Rover Defender brought back the boxy, rugged design that many enthusiasts missed since the 2016 LR4. Its squared-off edges, rising roofline, and roundish headlights evoked a sense of nostalgia while maintaining a modern touch. The Defender's design was purposeful, with features like step plates and a ladder that, although now more for show, harkened back to its utilitarian roots. The interior was basic and industrial, with exposed screws and a slab-sided cabin that emphasized durability over luxury. Despite its high price tag, the Defender's interior felt more like a well-built Jeep than a luxury SUV.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a conservative, upscale design that was both timeless and practical. Its clean lines and balanced proportions made it a large and accommodating compact SUV. The interior was roomy, with plenty of space for four adults and an optional third row for additional passengers. The Tiguan's cabin combined modern geometric forms with a no-nonsense control layout, though it did feature some hard plastics that detracted from its overall premium feel. The Tiguan's design was understated but functional, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender justified its price with its impressive performance. It featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine with 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, making it both powerful and smooth. The mild-hybrid system eliminated turbo lag and provided consistent power. The Defender's off-road capabilities were exemplary, with features like Terrain Response 2 and adjustable-height suspension allowing it to tackle challenging terrains with ease. The standard engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 296 horsepower, suitable for the smaller two-door 90 model. The Defender's on-road performance was also commendable, offering a quiet and plush ride.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, on the other hand, was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. While adequate for daily driving, the Tiguan's engine suffered from turbo lag and felt breathless during high-demand situations. The Tiguan's fuel economy was decent, with an EPA rating of 25 mpg combined for front-wheel-drive models and 24 mpg for all-wheel-drive models. The Tiguan excelled in urban and suburban environments, offering light and responsive steering, a compliant ride, and refined braking action. However, its suspension struggled with sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks, and its handling was not as sporty as some might hope.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender was designed for durability and practicality. Its interior was minimalist, with a focus on moving people and gear in any condition. The Defender 90, a two-door model, could seat up to six people with an optional jump seat, while the four-door 110 model offered an optional third row for seven seats. Cargo space was generous, with up to 79 cubic feet available in the 110 model. The Defender's towing capacity was impressive at 8,200 pounds, and its rugged design was built to withstand tough conditions.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort and practicality. Its large doors and tall seating positions made entry and exit easy, and the front seats offered a wide range of adjustments. The back seat provided excellent support and generous legroom, making it suitable for adults and children alike. The Tiguan's cargo space was versatile, with a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat and up to 73.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The available panoramic sunroof added to the cabin's airy feel, though storage space was somewhat limited.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender featured the new Pivi Pro infotainment system, a significant improvement over previous Jaguar Land Rover systems. It included two SIM cards for streaming data and over-the-air updates, affecting up to 16 computer modules. The system's interface was more user-friendly, though some issues remained with small icons and overlays. The Defender also offered advanced off-road capabilities, with cameras showing the ground underneath the front hood and a rearview mirror that doubled as a screen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, LED headlights, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system, available starting with the SE trim. MIB3 featured an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing, and expanded features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The system had some quirks, and the standard six-speaker sound system was underwhelming. Higher trims offered the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system. The Tiguan's technology was understated but functional, providing a good balance of features and usability.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender came with standard safety features like forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and 360-degree cameras. However, it lacked knee airbags and rear side airbags, and it had not been rated by U.S. crash testing agencies.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped 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. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. 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.