2020 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

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 cabin.

In contrast, the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered a variety of trims, each with distinct styling cues. The base LS and LT trims had different grille patterns, while the sporty RST featured a blacked-out appearance and 22-inch wheels. The rugged Z71 trim was designed for off-roading, with a unique front end, red tow hooks, and all-terrain tires. The upscale Premier and luxurious High Country trims added chrome accents and polished wheels. The Tahoe's design was characterized by a dominant grille and standard LED headlights, with a more expressive rear featuring quad-outlet dual exhausts. The overall styling was familiar yet plainer, with larger wheels enhancing its appearance.

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 an eight-speed automatic transmission. Despite its size and weight, the Tiguan delivered a snappy throttle response and minimal turbo lag, though it required patience for highway passing. The engine was relatively quiet, and the cabin was well-insulated from wind noise. The Tiguan's handling was impacted by its larger size, with a longer wheelbase affecting nimbleness. Its suspension provided a comfortable ride, even on rough terrain, but the steering was light, even in sport mode.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered three engine options: a standard 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower, a 6.2-liter V8 exclusive to the High Country with 420 horsepower, and a turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel inline six-cylinder with 277 horsepower. The Tahoe's 10-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with optional four-wheel drive. The Tahoe could tow up to 8,400 pounds and handle a payload of 1,834 pounds. The major engineering change was the adoption of an independent rear suspension, improving ride quality and interior comfort. The Z71 trim impressed with its off-road capabilities and smooth ride, thanks to adaptive damping and air suspension upgrades. The 5.3-liter V8 provided ample power and a satisfying V8 rumble, with Dynamic Fuel Management technology improving fuel economy.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in practicality, with a second row of seats that could slide up to seven inches, making the third row more usable. While the third row was not spacious, it offered enough legroom for shorter adults and children. Front-drive Tiguans came with a third row, while AWD models had it as an option. The split second-row seats folded flat, providing 65.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row collapsed, and 73.5 cubic feet in two-row models. The Tiguan's interior felt roomy, with plenty of hip and shoulder room, and a seating position that made it feel larger than it was.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe benefited from its new independent rear suspension, offering comfortable seating for adults in all three rows and class-leading cargo volume. The test vehicle featured heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel. The power sliding storage console was a standout feature, providing ample storage and comfort. The second row offered a bench seat or captain's chairs, with easy access to the third row. The third-row seat room was significantly improved, accommodating adults comfortably. The Tahoe provided 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, 72.6 cubic feet with the seat folded, and a maximum of 122.9 cubic feet, surpassing most full-size SUVs.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB II infotainment system, which was set to be replaced by MIB3 the following year. Despite this, the current system was highly regarded, with a 6.5-inch touchscreen in the base S trim and an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen in higher trims. The system was user-friendly, with bright colors and a responsive processor. The Tiguan offered USB-C and USB-A ports, a wireless charging pad, and VW's Digital Cockpit on top trims. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe boasted a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a new digital platform offering enhanced computing power and cybersecurity. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, and Chevrolet Connected Services. The system was intuitive, though some menu icons were hard to access. The voice-recognition system was impressive, and Bluetooth pairing was quick. The test vehicle included a Rear Seat Media system, offering versatile entertainment options. The Tahoe also offered a 15-inch head-up display, though it was not included in the test vehicle.

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

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe included standard safety features such as Teen Driver, rear-seat reminder, forward-collision warning, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered additional features like lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. The Tahoe's driving-assistance features worked well during testing, though the pedestrian alert could be distracting. A surround-view camera was recommended for maneuvering the large SUV. As of the review, the Tahoe had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.