2020 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover was a testament to luxury and ruggedness, a legacy that began with the Series I off-roader. Initially favored by wealthy British landowners, the Range Rover evolved into a luxury SUV with robust 4x4 capabilities, a combination that defined the brand. By 2012, the current-generation Range Rover was introduced, offering various trims like HSE, Autobiography, and SVAutobiography Dynamic, each available in Standard Wheelbase (SWB) and Long Wheelbase (LWB) configurations. Standard features included leather seating, a panoramic sunroof, and the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, while higher trims added more luxurious options like massaging seats and a rear-seat entertainment system.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was celebrated for its clean lines and balanced proportions, offering a conservative yet timeless design. It was notably large for its class, nearly matching the interior space of larger SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe. The Tiguan's interior was roomy, accommodating up to seven passengers with an optional third row. Its design featured modern geometric forms and a no-nonsense control layout, though it was criticized for excessive hard plastic. The Tiguan was available in S, SE, and SEL trims, with sporty R-Line variants, and pricing ranged from $25,245 to $39,095.

The 2020 Range Rover offered a diverse selection of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HSE trim featured a non-hybrid version of the same engine, delivering 395 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. A turbodiesel V6 was also available, rated at 254 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. The P525 and Autobiography trims came with a supercharged 5.0-liter V8, generating 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, while a plug-in hybrid option offered 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The SV Autobiography Dynamic trim boasted a 5.0-liter V8 with 557 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, providing a blend of power and efficiency. The Range Rover excelled in off-road capability, featuring the Terrain Response System with multiple drive modes.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Power was sent to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, with 4Motion AWD available as an option. While the engine was adequate, it suffered from turbo lag, and the Tiguan's nearly 4,000-pound curb weight contributed to a perception of lethargy. The Tiguan offered a comfortable driving experience with light steering, a compliant ride, and refined braking. However, it struggled with suspension isolation over sharp bumps and lacked the sporty handling of Volkswagen's GTI. The Tiguan was quiet on the highway, making it suitable for long road trips.

The 2020 Range Rover offered two wheelbase options, SWB and LWB, with standard seating for five. The LWB version provided more cargo space, with 77.5 cubic feet of total capacity and 34.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up. The SWB model had 70.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The Range Rover featured a hands-free power liftgate with a unique two-piece configuration, enhancing convenience. The interior offered decent storage compartments and cupholders, though the center-console compartment was not particularly deep.

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 back seat provided excellent support and generous legroom. The Tiguan featured a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat, allowing for versatile cargo arrangements. Cargo volume varied depending on the presence of a third-row seat, ranging from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, with a maximum capacity of 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet. The Tiguan's interior included a large panoramic sunroof and various storage compartments, though some were on the smaller side.

The 2020 Range Rover featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo system, consisting of two touchscreens. The top screen managed navigation, phone, and stereo functions, while the lower screen controlled climate settings and vehicle configurations. The system had a learning curve and occasional lag issues, but it offered a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system, available from the SE trim. It featured an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing, and expanded features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included WiFi, SiriusXM 360L, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. While the MIB3 was an improvement, it had some quirks, and the standard six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music. The SEL Premium R-Line offered a nine-speaker Fender audio system, and both SEL trims featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation.

The 2020 Range Rover came with standard safety features like low-speed automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included a 360-degree parking camera, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. While the Range Rover offered a solid list of safety features, some competitors provided more standard equipment.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with the IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. Starting with SE trim, adaptive cruise control was included, and the SEL added lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist. The SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights. The Tiguan's safety features were generally effective, though some systems had minor inconsistencies. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.