2020 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2021 Buick Enclave

Volkswagen had completely overhauled the Tiguan for the 2018 model year, introducing a second generation of its compact crossover SUV. This redesign addressed the original Tiguan’s size issues and aimed to be more competitively priced against the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The result was a stylish, conservatively German vehicle that showed some cost-cutting measures upon closer inspection. The Tiguan’s exterior featured clean lines and a horizontal grille connecting the headlights, maintaining a simple, car-like appearance. However, the interior was plain, with dull surfaces and hard black plastic, a far cry from Volkswagen’s previous interior excellence. The focus had shifted to electronics, with an optional digital dashboard and a glass-covered touchscreen infotainment system being the highlights.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, represented a return to form for Buick, which had struggled during the Malaise Era of automotive design. The Enclave was the largest of Buick’s four SUVs, offering a luxurious and spacious interior. The Avenir trim added extra presence with a unique grille pattern, brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured organic forms, a minimalist approach to instrumentation, and tasteful polished accents. The seats were wrapped in soft, perforated leather, and the wood trim, though not real, added to the sense of luxury. The Enclave’s simplicity extended to its controls, with the only fussy element being the electronic transmission shifter.

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 drove either the front or all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Tiguan’s powertrain offered a snappy throttle response with minimal turbo lag, but its larger size and weight made it only moderately quick. The Tiguan’s handling was impacted by its longer wheelbase, making it less nimble than some competitors. However, its soft suspension ensured a comfortable driving experience, even on rough roads. The Tiguan’s cabin was well insulated from wind noise, making it a quiet highway cruiser, though some road noise could filter through on rough surfaces.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine, generating 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and offered a choice between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The Enclave’s V6 provided strong acceleration, and the nine-speed automatic delivered smooth shifts. The Enclave’s suspension, especially with the Avenir Technology Package, offered a premium-tuned ride with continuously variable damping, making it suitable for a variety of driving environments. The Enclave’s steering and brake response were well-tuned, though the steering could be quicker. The EPA rated the Enclave at 21 mpg in combined driving, and it could travel up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan offered practicality with its sliding second-row seats, making the third row more usable. The third row, though not spacious, provided enough legroom for shorter adults and was cozy for kids. Front-drive Tiguans came with the third row as standard, while AWD models had it as an option. The Tiguan’s cargo capacity was impressive, with 65.7 cubic feet of space when the third row was folded and 73.5 cubic feet in two-row models. The Tiguan’s front seats offered plenty of hip and shoulder room, and the abundant glass made the cabin feel roomy.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering roomy seating for six or seven people. The Avenir trim featured 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seats with massaging functions, heated and ventilated front seats, and a stylish center console. The Enclave’s third-row seat was genuinely useful, with easy access through the large rear doors and between the captain’s chairs. The Enclave provided 23.6 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 97.6 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB II infotainment system, which was set to be replaced by MIB3 the following year. The current system was already one of the best on the market, with a 6.5-inch touchscreen in the base S trim and an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen in higher trims. The Tiguan offered USB-C and USB-A ports, a wireless charging pad, and VW’s Digital Cockpit on top SEL trims. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Buick Enclave’s infotainment system met basic expectations but fell short in some areas. It featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and USB charging ports in all three rows. Upgrades included a premium sound system, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a surround-view camera system. However, the Enclave lacked integration with smart home digital assistants and had a shorter free trial period for connected services. A notable feature was the available rear camera mirror, which provided a live video view of what was behind the Enclave.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan improved its standard safety package by adding forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. However, features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance were reserved for the top SEL trim. VW’s Car-Net telematics package connected the vehicle to an owner’s smartphone, offering remote locking, status checks, and vehicle location. The Tiguan received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for SEL Premium models with LED headlights, but most models had halogen headlights rated poor.

The 2021 Buick Enclave needed to improve its safety systems, as many features were restricted to higher trims. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on the Essence trim, while the Driver Confidence Plus Package was standard on Premium and Avenir trims. This package included forward-collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Adaptive cruise control was only available on the Avenir with the Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection rated four stars. The IIHS gave it high marks, but a Marginal headlight performance rating prevented it from earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.