2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen completely overhauled the Tiguan for the 2018 model year, introducing an all-new second generation of its compact crossover SUV. The 2020 model retained the stylish and conservatively German design, with clean and simple lines and a horizontal grille connecting the headlights. However, the interior showed signs of cost-cutting, with dull surfaces and hard black plastic, making it appear plain and somewhat boring. The focus seemed to have shifted to electronics, with an optional digital dashboard and a glass-covered touchscreen infotainment system standing out as highlights.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid maintained the updated styling and improved interior storage introduced in the 2020 model year. The exterior featured "Hybrid" badges, blue Honda logos, sophisticated LED fog lights, and a different rear bumper. Inside, the CR-V Hybrid had unique instrumentation showing battery-charge status, power regeneration, and power distribution. The interior trim was different, and the steering wheel paddles managed the regenerative braking system. The CR-V Hybrid was available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, all with standard all-wheel drive (AWD).

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 curb weight ranged from 3,757 pounds for the front-wheel-drive model to 3,847 pounds for the AWD version. Despite the snappy throttle response and minimal turbo lag, the Tiguan was only moderately quick, and passing on the highway with a fully loaded vehicle required patience. The engine sound was relatively muted, and the cabin was well insulated from wind noise, making it a quiet highway cruiser. However, the Tiguan's larger size impacted its handling, making it less nimble than some competitors.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system combining a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with an electric assist motor and a generator/starter motor. The total system output was 212 horsepower, with the electric assist motor generating 232 pound-feet of immediate torque. The CR-V Hybrid had three driving modes—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive—and three driver-selected modes—Econ, Sport, and EV. The added weight of the battery pack and electric motors amounted to 194 pounds, carried low in the vehicle for a reduced center of gravity. The CR-V Hybrid returned 33.7 mpg on the testing route, falling short of the EPA rating of 38 mpg in combined driving.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan offered practicality with its second-row seats that could slide up to seven inches fore and aft, making the third row 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 AWD models were five-seaters with the third row available as an option. The split second-row seats folded flat, providing 65.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the third row collapsed and 73.5 cubic feet in two-row models. The Tiguan felt roomy in the driver's seat, with plenty of hip and shoulder room, and a seating position that made it feel larger than it was.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in carrying people and cargo. The supportive front seats provided hours of comfort, with the driver's seat offering 12-way power adjustment. The rear seat room was remarkable, with ample space for adults and good leg support. The CR-V Hybrid had impressive interior storage space, though the Touring trim's wireless smartphone charger used up center console space. The cargo space behind the rear seat was 33.2 cubic feet, and the maximum cargo space was 68.7 cubic feet, slightly less than the standard gasoline CR-V Touring.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB II infotainment system, which was set to be replaced by MIB3 the following year. The base S trim had a 6.5-inch touchscreen display, while higher trims had an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen with a glass surface, bright colors, and a speedy processor. The Tiguan S had a single USB-C port in the front, while higher trims had USB-A ports and a wireless charging pad. The Digital Cockpit, available on top SEL trims, was a fully digital instrument panel that could be customized and reconfigured. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid's infotainment system, redesigned for the 2017 model year, had a seven-inch touchscreen display. The system lacked a tuning knob and took a long time to start up. The voice-recognition technology was not effective, and the navigation map display was cluttered. The CR-V Hybrid had dual 2.5-amp quick-charging ports for the rear seat and 1.5-amp and 1-amp USB ports in the front. Wireless smartphone charging was standard with Touring trim. The Touring's nine-speaker premium audio system sounded good, and the infotainment system supported text messaging, SiriusXM satellite radio, and integrated Pandora internet radio.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan came with a standard safety package that included forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. However, adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assistance and LED headlights with automatic high beams were reserved for the top SEL trim. All Tiguan models were equipped with Car-Net, a telematics package that connected the vehicle to an owner's smartphone or watch through an app. The IIHS rated the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick for top-of-the-line SEL Premium models with LED headlights, while most Tiguans with halogen headlights received a poor rating.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid was equipped with Honda Sensing, a collection of advanced driving-assistance systems. Standard features included adaptive cruise control with full-stop capability, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and Road Departure Mitigation. The CR-V Hybrid also included blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The CR-V Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.