2020 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

Subaru had a winning formula with the Outback and aimed for incremental improvements in 2020. The sixth-gen Outback was built on Subaru’s Global Platform, boasting a 70% increase in structural rigidity. The base 2.5-liter engine, though seemingly similar to the 2019 model, had 90% new parts. For those seeking more power, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine from the Ascent was available in higher trims. Externally, changes were subtle, mainly noticeable in the head- and taillights. Inside, the 2020 Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen for all but the base trim, which had dual 7-inch screens. The innovative DriverFocus tech used facial recognition to adjust settings and alert distracted drivers.

The Outback was offered in seven trims, starting at $26,645 for the 2.5i, which included LED headlights, keyless entry, and automatic climate control. The Premium trim, starting at $28,895, introduced the 11.6-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, and heated front seats. The Limited trim, at $33,445, added blind-spot monitoring, a power liftgate, and leather upholstery. The Touring trim, priced at $37,345, featured ventilated front seats and a sunroof. The new Onyx Edition XT, starting at $34,895, included the turbo engine and off-road enhancements. The Limited XT and Touring XT trims followed their non-XT counterparts but added the turbo engine, with prices at $37,745 and $39,695, respectively.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan had a conservative, upscale design that was likely to age well. 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 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, though the engine start button’s placement on the center console was unusual. The cabin had shiny detailing, digital instrumentation, and a flush touchscreen infotainment system, but the hard plastic and flimsy steering wheel stalks detracted from its premium feel.

The Tiguan was available in S, SE, and SEL trims, with sporty R-Line variants: SE R-Line Black and SEL Premium R-Line. Prices ranged from $25,245 to $39,095, excluding a $1,195 destination charge. The test vehicle, an SEL trim with 4Motion AWD, had a window sticker price of $35,040, including the destination charge.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an upgraded 2.5-liter engine with 182 horsepower, a 7-hp increase over 2019. This engine achieved 26 mpg city and 33 highway, a 1 mpg improvement in both categories. For more power, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in XT trims produced 260 hp and 277 pound-feet of torque, enabling a 0-60 mph time of around 7 seconds. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, minimizing the typical CVT drawbacks.

Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD) system was active all the time, providing consistent power delivery and reducing wear on components. The Outback’s 8.7 inches of ground clearance allowed it to handle off-road conditions, though it wasn’t a Jeep. The Onyx XT trim’s upgraded X-Mode and hill-descent control enhanced its off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan had 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 4Motion AWD available for $1,400 on most models and standard on the SEL Premium R-Line. The engine experienced turbo lag, making it feel breathless during passing maneuvers, partly due to the nearly 4,000-pound curb weight.

The Tiguan’s fuel economy was 25 mpg combined with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD, though testing showed an average of 22.6 mpg for the AWD model. The Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience with light, responsive steering, a compliant ride, and refined braking. However, it struggled with sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks, and its tires lacked grip in corners. The Tiguan excelled in highway comfort, providing a quiet and composed ride.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expanding to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The increased width between the rear wheels contributed to a 1-cu-ft increase in passenger volume and a 2.4-cu-ft increase in overall volume. The Outback’s low load height and lower center of gravity improved braking and handling. The interior was spacious, with ample legroom and headroom, even for taller passengers. Visibility was excellent, though the rear quarters had a significant blind spot.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors, tall seating hip points, and adjustable front seats. The V-Tex leatherette upholstery and dual-zone climate control added to the comfort. The back seat provided generous legroom and foot space, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The Tiguan’s 40/20/40-split folding rear seat allowed for flexible cargo and passenger arrangements. 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 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, which was visually appealing and easy to navigate. However, the system suffered from lag, affecting functions like map navigation, app opening, and even volume control. The camera resolution was also subpar, detracting from the overall experience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system, available from the SE trim. MIB3 included an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing, and features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi, SiriusXM 360L, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The system had some 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’s nine-speaker Fender audio system was a better option.

The 2020 Subaru Outback had a strong safety suite, including standard AWD and EyeSight system. However, the optical nature of EyeSight meant it could be obstructed by weather conditions. The DriverFocus system, designed to alert distracted drivers, was overly sensitive and often triggered false alerts.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came with IQ Drive, which 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 included lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist. The SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights and front and rear parking sensors. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were effective but had some inconsistencies. The Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.