2020 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2021 Ford Edge

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan, redesigned in 2018, addressed its predecessor's size and price issues, aligning more closely with competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The Tiguan maintained a stylish, conservative German exterior, featuring a horizontal grille and clean lines, but showed signs of cost-cutting upon closer inspection. Inside, the Tiguan's interior was plain, with hard black plastic surfaces that lacked the sophistication of earlier Volkswagen models. The focus shifted to electronics, with an optional digital dashboard and a glass-covered touchscreen infotainment system that stood out for its modern appeal.

The 2021 Ford Edge retained its refreshed 2019 styling, offering a cleaner look compared to rivals like the Chevy Blazer and Hyundai Santa Fe. The Edge Titanium featured chrome accents, while the ST trim boasted a blacked-out grille and sporty design elements. However, the interior design felt dated, with awkward modifications to accommodate new features like a larger touchscreen. The Titanium model offered leather upholstery, and the ST trim included sporty seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, enhancing its appeal.

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 highway passing required patience. The engine was relatively quiet, and the cabin was well-insulated from wind noise. The Tiguan's handling was affected by its larger size, with a longer wheelbase that reduced nimbleness. The suspension provided a comfortable ride, even on rough roads, but the steering was light, even in sport mode.

The 2021 Ford Edge featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Edge ST model offered a more powerful 2.7-liter V6 engine, producing 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, with standard all-wheel drive and performance tuning. The Edge ST aimed to compete with performance SUVs like the Porsche Macan, though it fell short of such comparisons. The Edge's towing capacity ranged from 3,958 to 4,525 pounds, depending on the model, but was outperformed by competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.

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 models included the third row, while all-wheel drive models offered it as an option. The Tiguan's cargo capacity was impressive, with up to 73.5 cubic feet available in two-row models. The driver's seat felt roomy, with ample hip and shoulder room, and the abundant glass and seating position enhanced the sense of space.

The 2021 Ford Edge offered competitive interior space, with the most rear-seat headroom among two-row midsize crossovers. Legroom was generous, and dual-zone automatic climate control was standard. Cargo space was substantial, with 39.2 cubic feet available with the rear seats in place and 73.4 cubic feet with them folded. The Edge featured a foot-activated power liftgate on higher trims. The rotary shift knob freed up console space, but the narrow console limited its utility. A storage nook below the console was difficult to access and easy to forget.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB II infotainment system, which was set to be replaced by MIB3 in the following year. The current system was highly regarded, with a 6.5-inch touchscreen in the base trim and an 8-inch upgrade in higher trims. The system was responsive and user-friendly, with a glass surface and bright graphics. The Tiguan included USB ports and a wireless charging pad in higher trims. The Digital Cockpit, available on top trims, offered a customizable digital instrument panel. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Ford Edge was equipped with the Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring a 12-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Standard tech included Bluetooth, SiriusXM with 360L, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Edge ST model boasted a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Edge included four USB ports, with two rear ports added for 2021. Sync 4 was praised for its simple graphics and intuitive menu layouts, making it easy for new users to navigate. Not all competitors offered wireless connectivity, giving the Edge an advantage.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan improved its standard safety package, adding forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. However, features like adaptive cruise control and LED headlights were reserved for top trims. The Tiguan included Car-Net, a telematics package with remote access and monitoring features. The IIHS rated the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick for models with LED headlights, but most models had halogen headlights rated poorly.

The 2021 Ford Edge was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, with top ratings in crash tests and front crash prevention. It received lower ratings for pedestrian detection and headlight performance. The NHTSA awarded the Edge a five-star overall safety rating. The Edge included standard safety features under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner, such as automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision warning. Adaptive cruise control and Evasive Steering Assist were standard on most trims.