2021 Subaru Crosstrek 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 Volkswagen's new flat logo adorning a horizontal grille that connected 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 Crosstrek, on the other hand, was Subaru’s answer to the growing demand for crossovers with rugged looks, AWD, and tall driving positions. Essentially an Impreza hatchback with SUV-like characteristics, the Crosstrek featured black body cladding, model-specific 17-inch wheels, and a taller ride height, providing 8.7 inches of ground clearance. These changes gave the Crosstrek a more SUV-like appearance and character compared to the base Impreza hatch.

Underneath, the Crosstrek rode on the Subaru Global Platform, shared with models like the Legacy/Outback, Ascent, and Forester. The interior was functional but somewhat plain, with some questionable design choices like the clashing Plasma Yellow Pearl accents in the Sport trim. Despite these quirks, the Crosstrek offered practical features like water-repellant StarTex upholstery in the Sport model.

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 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, but its soft suspension ensured a comfortable ride.

For 2021, the Subaru Crosstrek introduced a second gasoline powertrain option. The new 2.5-liter boxer-four engine, standard on the Sport and Limited trims, produced 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The base and Premium trims continued with the 2.0-liter boxer-four, making 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. The Crosstrek also offered a plug-in hybrid variant. All trim levels came with standard AWD, featuring torque vectoring and X-Mode for improved handling and off-road capability. Despite the new engine, the Crosstrek's acceleration remained adequate, with noticeable droning from the CVT.

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 usable. Front-drive Tiguans came with a standard third row, while AWD models offered it as an option. The third row, though not spacious, provided enough legroom for shorter adults and children. The split second-row seats folded flat, offering 65.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row collapsed, and 73.5 cubic feet in two-row models.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered the same front and rear legroom as the Impreza hatchback, with slightly more rear headroom. Cargo space was 20.8 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 55.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. While competitive in passenger space, the Crosstrek lagged behind some rivals in cargo capacity. The interior featured a handy cubby hole for phones, but storage space was minimal, with only two USB ports available.

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 and a responsive processor. 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 was available on top trims, offering a customizable digital instrument panel. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek used the Starlink infotainment system, with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Premium and Sport trims added WiFi and SiriusXM satellite radio. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation was standard on the Limited trim and optional on lower trims. Subaru also included large analog knobs and buttons for vital functions, making the system easy to use.

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, features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance were reserved for the top SEL trim. All models came with Car-Net, a telematics package offering remote locking/unlocking, status checks, and vehicle location. The Tiguan received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for SEL Premium models with LED headlights.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded the 2020 model a Top Safety Pick, with the highest ratings in all crash tests and for front-crash prevention tech. EyeSight driver-assist features were standard on CVT-equipped models, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Additional features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on the Limited trim and optional on others.