2020 Honda CR-V vs 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan, a product of a complete overhaul in 2018, presented a stylish yet conservative German design. Its exterior featured clean lines and a horizontal grille adorned with Volkswagen's new flat logo, connecting the headlights. Despite its contemporary look, the Tiguan's interior was less impressive, with plain surfaces and hard black plastic that lacked the premium feel Volkswagen was once known for. The focus seemed to have shifted to electronics, with an optional digital dashboard and a glass-covered touchscreen infotainment system standing out as highlights.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda CR-V, part of the fifth generation introduced in 2017, maintained a familiar and fun design. Its exterior boasted curvy, car-like lines with a family resemblance to Honda's sedan lineup. The CR-V's interior, however, was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery clashing with low-quality plastics. Despite this, the CR-V offered a simple trim lineup and competitive pricing, starting at $26,270 for the base LX model, with all-wheel drive available as an option.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. Despite its torque-focused tuning, the Tiguan's performance was moderate, with a curb weight of 3,757 pounds for FWD and 3,847 pounds for AWD models. The Tiguan offered a comfortable driving experience with a soft suspension, though its larger size impacted handling and nimbleness.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The CR-V's powertrain provided a quick and responsive driving experience, especially in Sport mode. Weighing just 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model, the CR-V's lightness contributed to its nimble handling and excellent fuel economy, with EPA ratings of 30 mpg combined for FWD models and 29 mpg for AWD models. The CR-V also introduced a hybrid version for 2020, offering even better fuel efficiency.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in practicality, offering a versatile interior with a sliding second row and an optional third row. While the third row was not spacious, it provided enough legroom for shorter adults and children. The Tiguan's cargo capacity was impressive, with 65.7 cubic feet available with the third row collapsed and 73.5 cubic feet in two-row models. The driver's seat offered ample room, and the Tiguan's abundant glass and seating position made it feel larger than it was.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was known for its masterful packaging, providing a roomy cabin without feeling oversized. The CR-V's excellent seating position and low cowl enhanced front visibility, while clever storage solutions, like a deep center console and a two-position load floor, maximized cargo space. With 75.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity, the CR-V matched the Tiguan in volume. The CR-V's door pockets and other storage compartments made it easy to accommodate various items, enhancing its practicality.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB II infotainment system, with a 6.5-inch touchscreen in the base S trim and an 8-inch upgrade in higher trims. The system was praised for its bright colors, responsive processor, and ease of use. The Tiguan also offered VW's Digital Cockpit, a customizable digital instrument panel, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. USB ports and a wireless charging pad were available in higher trims, enhancing connectivity options.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a 5-inch screen in the base LX trim and a 7-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were only available with the larger screen. Despite these limitations, the CR-V offered ample USB ports in the EX trim and above, with a wireless phone charger added to the Touring trim for 2020.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan improved its standard safety package, adding forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. However, features like adaptive cruise control and LED headlights were reserved for the top SEL trim. The Tiguan was equipped with Car-Net, a telematics package offering remote access and monitoring features. The IIHS rated the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick for SEL Premium models with LED headlights, while most models had halogen headlights rated poor.

The 2020 Honda CR-V included the Honda Sensing system as standard, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Automatic high beams were standard, with blind-spot monitoring available in EX trims and above. The CR-V earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with LED headlights on the Touring trim improving nighttime visibility. A recall for rear subframe failure affected a small number of vehicles.