2021 INFINITI QX50 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 redesign addressed the original Tiguan’s biggest shortcoming—its diminutive size—and aimed to make it more competitively priced against rivals like 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 featured clean and simple lines, with a horizontal grille connecting the headlights and the new flat Volkswagen logo. 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 added a modern touch.

In a crowded and competitive luxury compact crossover segment, the Infiniti QX50 stood out from an engineering perspective, thanks to its VC-Turbo engine. Its design was distinctive, featuring a large honeycomb grille and a curved hood with athletic bulges. The rear of the vehicle showcased a unique crooked chrome strip, adding character to the QX50.

The QX50's interior was attractive, with soft-touch materials, aluminum trim accents, and a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel. The front seats offered heating and cooling, enhancing comfort in various weather conditions. The panoramic moonroof brightened the cabin and provided magnificent views, while the thick B-pillars and short rear window opening slightly hindered outward visibility.

All 2020 Tiguans were powered by Volkswagen’s 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 powertrain offered snappy throttle response and minimal turbo lag, though passing on the highway with a fully loaded vehicle required patience. The Tiguan's engine was relatively muted, and the cabin was well insulated from wind noise, making it a quiet highway cruiser.

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 drive mode selector allowed for adjustments, but the steering remained light even in sport mode. While not the most fun to drive, the Tiguan's size advantage made it a practical choice.

The 2021 QX50 featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with paddle shifters and downshift rev-matching. This powertrain produced 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The QX50's VC-Turbo engine constantly adjusted the compression ratio, balancing power and efficiency. The engine operated smoothly and quietly, though the CVT's simulated shift points provided a more familiar driving experience.

Front-wheel drive was standard on the QX50, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The QX50's drive mode selector offered four modes: Standard, Sport, Eco, and Personal. Sport mode increased steering effort and responsiveness, while Eco mode prioritized fuel efficiency at the expense of acceleration. The QX50 remained composed and stable during various driving conditions, including long interstate drives and rainy weather.

The 2020 Tiguan excelled in practicality, starting with its second-row seats that could slide up to seven inches fore and aft, making the third row more usable. While the third row was not spacious, it provided enough legroom for shorter adults and children. Front-drive Tiguans came with the third row as standard, while AWD models offered 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 front seats offered plenty of hip and shoulder room, and the abundant glass made the cabin feel spacious. The seating position was more tucked back, making the Tiguan feel larger than it was. This made it appealing to those downsizing from larger SUVs or upgrading from smaller vehicles.

The 2021 QX50 felt spacious inside, with ample hip and shoulder room in both the front and rear seats. Headroom was plentiful, even with the panoramic moonroof. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed 38.7 inches of legroom, and the sliding second-row seats allowed for adjustments between legroom and cargo space. The cargo area offered 31.1 cubic feet of space behind the second-row seats, expanding to 64.4 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The QX50's interior featured numerous storage options, including cupholders, storage bins, and charging ports. The optional Cargo package added a reversible cargo area protector, cargo blocks, and nets, enhancing practicality for transporting various items.

The 2020 Tiguan featured Volkswagen's 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 infotainment system was responsive and user-friendly, with bright colors and graphics. The Tiguan S had a single USB-C port, while higher trims had 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. It included a setting to display a panoramic map, enhancing the driving experience. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 QX50 came with Infiniti's InTouch infotainment system, featuring dual display screens—an 8-inch upper LCD/VGA and a 7-inch lower color unit. The system included voice recognition and Infiniti InTouch Services, offering navigation, entertainment, communications, convenience, and safety features. Pairing a smartphone via Bluetooth was easy, and Apple CarPlay integration worked seamlessly. The 16-speaker Bose Performance Series premium audio system delivered excellent sound quality.

The QX50 also featured Infiniti's Around View Monitor with front and rear sonar system and moving-object detection, making parking easier. ProPilot Assist, available on all but the base Pure trim, combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, providing a glimpse of autonomous driving.

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, adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assistance and LED headlights with automatic high beams were reserved for the top SEL trim. All 2020 Tiguan models came with Car-Net, a telematics package offering remote locking and unlocking, status checks, and vehicle location. The IIHS rated the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick for SEL Premium models with LED headlights.

The 2021 QX50 boasted a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including blind-spot warning, predictive forward-collision warning, forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and more. Lane-departure prevention and blind-spot intervention were standard on all but the base Pure trim. The QX50 received a four-star rollover resistance rating from NHTSA and Good ratings from IIHS for moderate overlap front and side crash protection.