2020 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2021 BMW X5

Volkswagen completely overhauled the Tiguan for the 2018 model year, introducing an all-new second generation of its compact crossover SUV. The 2020 Tiguan maintained this contemporary Volkswagen styling with clean and simple lines, featuring a horizontal grille that connected the headlights. The interior, however, was less impressive, with dull surfaces and hard black plastic that felt plain and uninspired. The focus seemed to be on electronics, with an optional digital dashboard and a glass-covered touchscreen infotainment system standing out as highlights.

The 2021 BMW X5, known for its high-quality craftsmanship, delivered a luxury SUV experience with its unmistakable BMW design, including the signature kidney grille and full adaptive LED headlights. The X5 offered a sporty appearance with M Sport styling options and a range of wheel sizes from 19 to 22 inches. Inside, the X5's interior featured an abundance of leather and soft-touch materials, though it shared many design elements with other BMW models. The M Sport models included unique styling touches like an M sports steering wheel and M-specific pedals.

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, driving either the front or all four wheels. The Tiguan's powertrain offered a snappy throttle response with minimal turbo lag, but its larger size and weight made it only moderately fleet of foot. The Tiguan's handling was impacted by its longer wheelbase, resulting in a comfortable but less nimble driving experience.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i featured a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M50i came with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8, delivering 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M offered even more power with 600 horsepower, or 617 with the Competition Package. The X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid achieved 389 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, with up to 30 miles of all-electric range. The X5's driving dynamics were less impressive, with steering issues at both low and high speeds, and a less engaging handling experience compared to other BMW SUVs.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in practicality, with a second row of seats that could slide up to seven inches fore and aft, making the third row more usable. Front-drive Tiguans came with a standard third row, while AWD models offered it as an option. The third row, though not spacious, provided enough legroom for shorter adults and children. The Tiguan's cargo capacity was impressive, with 65.7 cubic feet with the third row collapsed and 73.5 cubic feet in two-row models. The driver's seat offered a roomy feel, comparable to midsize SUVs.

The 2021 BMW X5 made good use of space, with cupholders at the front of the center console and a wireless phone charging pad. The seating was spacious and comfortable for short trips, though the front seats felt hard after a few hours. The rear seats were comfortable for kids and adults, with an available third row option. The X5's split liftgate and vehicle height adjustment button made loading cargo easier. The cargo area was spacious without the third row, though moving children and cargo in and out of the second row was less convenient due to the narrow door openings.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB II infotainment system, with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display in the base S trim and an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen in higher trims. The system was responsive and user-friendly, with bright colors and graphics. The Tiguan S had a single USB-C port, while higher trims had two USB-A ports and a wireless charging pad. VW's Digital Cockpit was available on top SEL trims, offering a customizable digital instrument panel. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The standard features list included a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional upgrades included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and premium audio systems. The BMW iDrive system required some acclimation but was easy to use once familiar.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan came with a standard safety package that included forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assistance and LED headlights with automatic high beams were reserved for the top SEL trim. VW's Car-Net telematics package offered remote locking and unlocking, status checks, vehicle location, and more. The Tiguan received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for SEL Premium models with LED headlights, but most models with halogen headlights were rated poorly.

The 2021 BMW X5 was equipped with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Driving Assistance Professional Package included adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, though it had issues with reacting to stopped traffic and lane-keeping. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.