2021 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan, redesigned in 2018, presented a stylish yet conservative German aesthetic. Its exterior featured clean lines and a horizontal grille adorned with Volkswagen's new flat logo, connecting the headlights. While the exterior maintained a classic car look, the interior was less impressive, with plain design elements and hard black plastic surfaces. Despite this, the Tiguan offered advanced electronics, including an optional digital dashboard and a glass-covered touchscreen infotainment system, which were highlights in an otherwise simple cockpit.

In contrast, the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban's design was more polarizing, borrowing elements from the Camaro's design language. Its small headlights and large, busy grilles were not universally appealing. However, the interior retained a familiar layout with controls in expected places, making it user-friendly. The Suburban offered various trim levels, with the High Country trim providing upscale features like adaptive air suspension and a panoramic sunroof. Despite its high price, the interior lacked the soft-touch materials found in true luxury SUVs, resembling more of an upscale pickup.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. It offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, with the latter being a $1,300 upgrade. The Tiguan's engine was tuned for torque, providing a snappy throttle response and minimal turbo lag. However, its larger size and weight, ranging from 3,757 to 3,847 pounds, impacted its agility and highway passing capabilities. The Tiguan's suspension ensured a comfortable ride, but its handling was less nimble compared to competitors like the Mazda CX-5.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban offered a range of powerful engines, including a standard 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Our test model featured a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel engine, delivering 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The Suburban's 10-speed automatic transmission and available four-wheel drive provided excellent performance, with the diesel engine offering impressive torque for towing up to 8,300 pounds. Its independent rear suspension improved ride quality, though it still exhibited some truck-like handling characteristics.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in practicality, offering a versatile interior with a sliding second row that allowed for a usable 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 up to 73.5 cubic feet available in two-row models. The driver's seat offered ample room, and the Tiguan's design made it feel larger than its competitors, appealing to those downsizing from larger SUVs.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban boasted massive cargo space, with 144.7 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded. Even with the second row in use, it offered 93.8 cubic feet of cargo space. Passengers enjoyed a commanding view of the road and generous head- and legroom. The control layout was similar to GM's pickup trucks, though the button shifter design was less intuitive. The power-sliding center console was a unique feature, though its functionality was questionable compared to simpler designs.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB II infotainment system, which was set to be replaced by MIB3 in the following year. Despite this, the current system was highly regarded, with an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen available in higher trims. The Tiguan offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a WiFi hotspot. The Digital Cockpit, available on top trims, provided a customizable digital instrument panel, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen running GM's intuitive infotainment system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with an available wireless charging pad. Optional features included a navigation system, rear entertainment system, and a head-up display. The system's layout was user-friendly, with a helpful home button for easy navigation.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan improved its standard safety package, 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 higher trims. The Tiguan was equipped with Car-Net, a telematics package offering remote access and monitoring features. The IIHS rated it a Top Safety Pick for models with LED headlights, though most Tiguans had halogen headlights rated poorly.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban included standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision avoidance, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and a surround-view camera system. Unique options like the rear-view camera mirror and Safety Alert Seat provided additional safety benefits.