2020 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2021 Kia Sportage

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, adorned by Volkswagen's new flat logo. The design was straightforward and lacked any adventurous or cartoonish elements. Inside, however, the Tiguan's interior 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.

Kia’s tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights gave the 2021 Sportage a distinctive look, which some might describe as frog-like. Kia, however, marketed the design as “Euro-focused.” The two-row crossover SUV had a relatively short wheelbase and short overhangs, making it ideal for city driving. The headlights carried over from the 2020 model, and the Sportage could be equipped with 17-, 18-, or 19-inch wheels.

Inside, the 2021 Sportage featured an 8-inch touchscreen display as a stylish centerpiece, flanked by air vents and physical buttons and knobs for tuning and volume. Two cupholders were positioned between the front seats, and Kia’s now-old logo rested on the steering wheel. While not the most tech-forward cabin, the interior was still a pleasant place to sit.

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 quick. 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 version, making it heavier than competitors like the Honda CR-V.

The Tiguan's engine was relatively muted, with a deep and refined sound at high revs. The cabin was well insulated from wind noise, though some road noise could filter through on rough surfaces. The Tiguan's handling was impacted by its larger size, with a longer wheelbase making it less nimble. The suspension was soft, providing a comfortable ride even on rough roads. The steering firmed up in sport mode but remained light in normal mode. While not the most fun-to-drive compact crossover, the Tiguan offered a good balance of size and comfort.

The 2021 Kia Sportage offered a choice of two engines. The LX and EX trims were powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The SX Turbo trim featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine, making 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. All Sportage models used a six-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional.

Fuel economy for the 2.4-liter engine was 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined for front-wheel-drive models, and 21/25/23 for all-wheel-drive versions. The turbocharged engine achieved 20/28/23 mpg for front-wheel-drive models and 19/24/21 for all-wheel-drive versions. The Sportage's McPherson-strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension provided a smooth ride with minimal body roll. The steering was less responsive, and the tires struggled to grip at higher speeds. However, the Sportage was still a rewarding crossover to drive, especially in the SX Turbo trim.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in practicality, starting with its second-row seats, which 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 was comfortable for kids. Front-drive Tiguans came standard with the third row, while all-wheel-drive models were five-seaters with the third row available as a $595 option.

The Tiguan's third-row seats were roomier than many in larger vehicles, with convenient access via a simple latch on the second-row seats. The split second-row seats folded flat, providing 65.7 cubic feet of cargo space 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 abundant glass and seating position made it feel larger than it was.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, while on the smaller side of the compact crossover segment, offered good interior space for the driver and passengers. The SX Turbo trim featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and 8-way power adjustment for the passenger, with heated and ventilated seats included. Rear legroom and headroom were good, but cargo space was limited. The Sportage provided 30.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, which was not competitive with other compact crossovers.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the 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 the base S trim using a 6.5-inch touchscreen display and higher trims featuring an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen. The system was responsive and easy to use, with bright colors and graphics. The Tiguan S had a single USB-C port, while higher trims had two USB-A ports in the front and one in the second row. A wireless charging pad was available on trims above S.

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 and was a smart use of cockpit real estate. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot were standard on all trims.

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured an 8-inch touchscreen interface for its infotainment system, with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports as standard equipment. Most trims also included Kia's UVO Link connected services. The SX Turbo trim added wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The Sportage's technology was easy to use, with logical menus, physical buttons, and handy knobs, though it was not the most cutting-edge.

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 to all models. 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's Car-Net telematics package connected the vehicle to an owner's smartphone or watch through an app, offering remote locking and unlocking, status checks, and vehicle location. The Tiguan received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for top-of-the-line SEL Premium models with LED headlights, but most Tiguans had halogen headlights rated poor by the IIHS.

The 2021 Kia Sportage offered a strong safety package, with standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control. The Sportage received Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS for SX Turbo trims with upgraded headlights and performed well in NHTSA crash tests.