2020 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

Volkswagen completely overhauled the Tiguan for the 2018 model year, introducing an all-new second generation of its compact crossover SUV. The redesign addressed the original Tiguan’s biggest shortcoming—its diminutive size—and aimed to make it more competitively priced against the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The result was a vehicle that maintained a stylish and conservatively German exterior, though some cost-cutting measures were evident upon closer inspection.

The Tiguan’s exterior styling was contemporary Volkswagen, featuring clean and simple lines with a horizontal grille connecting the headlights. Inside, however, the design was plain, with dull surfaces and hard black plastic. The cockpit was simple, bordering on boring, though the optional digital dashboard and glass-covered touchscreen infotainment system were highlights.

Ford had been teasing the new Bronco for years, and the 2021 Bronco Sport was introduced as its little brother. The Bronco Sport captured some of the same rugged styling cues but was a more suburban, everyday driver ready for weekend adventures. It featured a modern retro look, short front and rear overhangs, and tall fender wells designed for trail driving. Bold white lettering on the front grille and tailgate announced the vehicle’s name as “BRONCO,” with a smaller “SPORT” postscript.

The Bronco Sport’s interior was tastefully rugged, with an uncluttered design and unique HVAC vent shapes. The center stack had convenient open storage cubbies and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The interior trim stepped up from model to model, with options ranging from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats. The cargo area was designed to accommodate active lifestyles, with features like a slide-out work table and liftgate floodlamps.

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 drove either the front or all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Tiguan’s powertrain offered snappy throttle response and minimal turbo lag, but it was only moderately quick. The Tiguan’s curb weight ranged from 3,757 pounds for the front-wheel-drive model to 3,847 pounds for the all-wheel-drive model, making it heavier than competitors like the Honda CR-V.

The Tiguan’s handling was impacted by its larger size and longer wheelbase, making it less nimble than some competitors. The suspension was soft, ensuring a comfortable driving experience even on rough roads. The cabin was well insulated from wind noise, though some road noise could filter through on rough surfaces. The Tiguan’s steering firmed up in sport mode but remained too light in normal mode.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition trims came with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All Bronco Sport models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, along with a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes.

The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, generous suspension travel, and decent ground clearance. On-road, it had good manners, though the 1.5-liter engine could sound strained when pressed hard. The 2.0-liter engine was better suited to the Bronco Sport’s character, providing a more satisfying driving experience.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan’s practicality was a strong point, starting with the second row of seats, which could slide up to seven inches fore and aft, making the third row more useful. The third row had enough legroom for shorter adults and was cozy for kids. Front-drive Tiguans came with the third row as standard, while all-wheel-drive models had it as a $595 option.

The Tiguan’s cargo capacity was impressive, with 65.7 cubic feet of space when the third row was collapsed and 73.5 cubic feet in two-row models. The front seats offered plenty of hip and shoulder room, and the abundant glass and seating position made the Tiguan feel spacious. The Tiguan’s wide beam and seating position made it feel as big as it was, appealing to those downsizing from larger SUVs.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport delivered clever features for active buyers, with cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Ford offered over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories for transporting gear like kayaks, surfboards, and camping equipment. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds (100 with a moonroof), and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds, while the 1.5-liter could tow 2,000 pounds.

The Bronco Sport’s cargo hold featured a flip-up rear glass, an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin had ample storage compartments, including big door pockets and multiple cubbies. However, taller drivers might find outward visibility challenging, especially when spotting traffic lights or navigating trails.

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 display in the base S trim and an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen in higher trims. 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, available on top SEL trims, was a fully digital instrument panel that could be customized and reconfigured. The Tiguan also came with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also had available Ford+Alexa and SiriusXM capability, along with FordConnect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The base audio system was an AM/FM stereo with six speakers, while a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims.

The Bronco Sport’s terrain management system included up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, depending on the trim level. These modes adjusted steering, transmission, and throttle response settings for different conditions. The available trail control technology added a cruise-control-like feature for off-roading. Higher trims also featured intelligent access with push-button start, heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels, and a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel.

For the 2020 model year, Volkswagen improved the Tiguan’s 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 with lane-keeping assistance and LED headlights with automatic high beams were reserved for the top SEL trim. VW’s Car-Net telematics package connected the vehicle to an owner’s smartphone or watch through an app, offering features like remote locking and unlocking, status checks, and vehicle location.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick for top-of-the-line SEL Premium models with LED headlights. Most Tiguans, however, were equipped with halogen headlights, which the IIHS rated poor.

Each trim level of the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package, available on all trims except Base, added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system, and road-sign recognition.

The Bronco Sport also featured trailer sway control as part of the available tow package. All models had all-wheel drive and a terrain management system with G.O.A.T. modes, providing traction control, anti-lock braking, and electronic stability control. Neither the IIHS nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had revealed crash-worthiness ratings for the Bronco Sport yet.