2021 Subaru Ascent 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, but showed some evidence of cost-cutting upon closer inspection. The Tiguan’s clean and simple lines, horizontal grille, and new flat logo gave it a contemporary Volkswagen look, but the interior was less impressive, featuring dull surfaces and hard black plastic. The optional digital dashboard and glass-covered touchscreen infotainment system were highlights, but overall, the cockpit felt plain and uninspired.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent, introduced for the 2019 model year, filled a long-overdue gap in Subaru’s lineup by offering a three-row SUV. The Ascent’s design was a scaled-up version of the smaller Forester and Outback models, creating a familiar look for Subaru enthusiasts. The cabin followed the same theme, with a dash design that could be interchangeable with other Subaru models, reinforcing the connection between the Ascent and its popular siblings. The Ascent offered four trims: Standard, Premium, Limited, and Touring, each adding more features and comfort. The Standard trim came well-equipped with driver-assistance features, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, and tri-zone climate control, while higher trims added amenities like a larger touchscreen, power-adjustable seats, and a premium stereo system.

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 its larger size and weight made it only moderately quick. The Tiguan’s handling was impacted by its longer wheelbase, making it less nimble than some competitors. However, its soft suspension provided a comfortable driving experience, even on rough roads. The Tiguan’s cabin was well-insulated from wind noise, making it a quiet highway cruiser, though some road noise could filter through on rough surfaces.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Power was routed through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. The Ascent’s engine was effective in most driving scenarios, performing well around town and holding its own on the highway. The Ascent’s ride focused on refined comfort, with responsive handling through corners and the ability to soak up bumps in the road. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, standard all-wheel drive, and Subaru’s X-Mode system, the Ascent was capable in snow and light off-roading. The Ascent was also rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds and included a standard Trailer Stability Assist.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan offered practicality 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 provided enough legroom for shorter adults and was comfortable 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 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 and seating position made it feel roomy.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent provided 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expanding to 47.5 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and up to 86.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The Ascent’s cargo capacity was on the higher end of the midsize three-row SUV class. The Ascent came standard with a power liftgate, though a hands-free option was not available. The Ascent could seat up to eight passengers in its base configuration, with the option for second-row captain's chairs reducing capacity to seven. The first two rows were spacious, while the third row was better suited for kids on longer trips. The Ascent also featured 19 cupholders and plenty of trays and cubbies for gear.

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 a 6.5-inch touchscreen in the base S trim and an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen in higher trims. 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. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent’s StarLink infotainment system featured logical menu layouts and large, easy-to-read icons. Both available touchscreens were backed by hard buttons and dials, as well as a home button. Standard tech features included two front USB ports, two second-row USB ports, satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. Available features included third-row USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo.

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, features like 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 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 Subaru Ascent was an IIHS 2021 Top Safety Pick+ due to its crash test results and comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, called EyeSight. This included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning. The Ascent also gained standard automatic high beams and headlights that bent with the steering angle for the 2021 model year. Optional safety features included reverse automatic emergency braking, rain-sensing windshield wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.