2021 Jeep Renegade vs 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen had completely overhauled the Tiguan for the 2018 model year, introducing a second generation of its compact crossover SUV. This redesign addressed the original Tiguan’s small size and high price, making it more competitive with the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The 2020 Tiguan maintained a stylish and conservatively German exterior, featuring clean lines and a horizontal grille with the new flat VW logo. However, the interior showed signs of cost-cutting, with dull surfaces and hard black plastic, making it less impressive than previous Volkswagen interiors.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade, first introduced in 2015, was inspired by the iconic Wrangler SUV, featuring a boxy profile, circular headlights, and an upright seven-slat grille. The Renegade received a subtle refresh in 2019, and for 2021, these design changes continued. Inside, the Renegade boasted a modern, functional cabin with an upright center stack, putting controls within easy reach. It offered various trims and special editions, each with unique features and equipment, catering to different preferences and needs.

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 powertrain offered a snappy throttle response with minimal turbo lag, but it was only moderately quick due to its substantial curb weight of 3,757 pounds for FWD and 3,847 pounds for AWD models. The Tiguan’s handling was impacted by its larger size, with a longer wheelbase making it less nimble. However, it provided a comfortable driving experience with a well-insulated cabin and a quiet highway ride.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder with 177 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in FWD or 4WD. The turbocharged engine provided better performance with its extra torque and refinement. The Renegade had a solid ride quality, handling corners well despite its tall profile. Its short wheelbase made it maneuverable in tight spaces, and the available terrain management system with various drive modes enhanced its off-road capability, especially in the Trailhawk trim.

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. The third row, though not spacious, offered enough legroom for shorter adults and children. FWD Tiguans came with a standard 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 front seats offered ample hip and shoulder room, and its abundant glass and seating position made it feel roomy.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade provided 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 18.5 cubic feet with the seats in use. Its tall, boxy design offered plenty of headroom in both rows, with great legroom in the front seats and adequate space in the rear. The Renegade featured helpful storage solutions, including small cubbies and trays, and the front passenger seat could fold forward for added space. These features made the Renegade practical for carrying gear and long items.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB II infotainment system, 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, responsive touch, and a glass surface. 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, offered a customizable digital instrument panel. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, with an optional 8.4-inch screen on mid-tier trims and standard on higher trims. Both screens ran the intuitive Uconnect infotainment system, featuring a logical menu layout, easy-to-read graphics, and a helpful dock for major functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and a Kenwood premium audio system was available.

For 2020, 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 Tiguans came with Car-Net, a telematics package offering remote locking, status checks, and vehicle location. The IIHS rated the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick for SEL Premium models with LED headlights, but most Tiguans had halogen headlights rated poor.

In 2021, Jeep made previously optional safety features standard across the Renegade lineup, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. Adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and front and rear parking sensors were optional. Despite these features, the NHTSA awarded the Renegade only four out of five stars in crash tests. Parallel parking assist was also available as an option.