2021 Jeep Wrangler 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 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.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler retained its iconic styling, with circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, exposed bolts and hinges, and protruding bumpers and fenders. Depending on the trim level, the Wrangler could take on different looks, with options for painted or exposed fenders, soft top or hardtop, and other individual styling touches. The Wrangler’s design made it unmistakable on the road.

Inside, the Wrangler was not as comfortable as car-based SUVs, with an upright seating position, limited legroom, and seats adjusted using somewhat awkward ripcords. However, for the right type of driver, these features added to the vehicle’s charm. The Wrangler offered various trims, including the Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, each with its own set of features and options.

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, though it was only moderately fleet of foot. 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, with a longer wheelbase that made it feel less nimble. The suspension was soft, ensuring a comfortable driving experience even on rough roads. The Tiguan’s cabin was well insulated from wind noise, though some road noise could filter through on rough surfaces. Overall, the Tiguan offered a comfortable and quiet ride, though it was not the most fun to drive in its class.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a range of powertrains, including gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and a Hemi V8. The standard 3.6-liter V6 produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, available with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other powertrains included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant of the 3.6-liter V6, a 270-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 producing 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque.

The Wrangler’s power was routed to one of three four-wheel-drive systems, with the Rubicon trim featuring front-and-rear locking differentials and a disconnectable front sway bar for off-roading. The Rubicon 392, with its 6.4-liter V8 engine, produced 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, turning the Wrangler into an off-road supercar. The 392 also featured a beefed-up frame, a 2-inch lift with Fox shock absorbers, and upgraded brakes, making it a formidable off-road vehicle.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in practicality, starting with its second row of seats, which could slide up to seven inches fore and aft, making the third row more useful. While the third row was not spacious, it 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 an option.

The Tiguan’s split second-row seats folded flat, providing a cargo capacity of 65.7 cubic feet with the third row collapsed. Two-row Tiguans offered 73.5 cubic feet of cargo space, more than competitors like the Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4, but slightly less than the Honda CR-V. The Tiguan’s front seats offered plenty of hip and shoulder room, and the vehicle felt roomy due to its abundant glass and seating position.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered multiple options for cloth tops and hardtops, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top and the Freedom top, a three-piece hardtop with removable panels. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, a power-retractable canvas panel that operated at speeds up to 60 mph. The Wrangler’s cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets, as well as drain plugs for easy cleaning.

The Wrangler Unlimited provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While these numbers were on par with smaller crossovers, the Wrangler’s wheel-wells and roll-bars made it harder to fit larger items.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB II infotainment system, with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display in the base S trim and an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen in higher trims. The 8-inch screen was among the best in the industry, with a glass surface, bright colors, and a speedy processor. 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 Jeep Wrangler Sport came with a basic 5-inch screen, while higher trims offered a 7-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The sharp 8.4-inch Uconnect screen was also available, with crisp graphics and easy-to-read layouts. The Wrangler featured radio toggles on the back of the steering wheel and an off-road camera on the Rubicon 392.

The Rubicon 392 also had a color TFT screen in the center of the instrument panel, providing a clear view of the trail ahead with its off-road camera.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan improved its 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 equipped all Tiguan models with Car-Net, a telematics package offering 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.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler came with a backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading.