2020 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2021 Subaru Forester

In 2020, Volkswagen offered a refreshed version of the Tiguan, building on the significant overhaul it had undergone in 2018. The company clearly aimed to rectify some of the shortcomings of the initial Tiguan by enhancing its size and making it more price-competitive with heavyweights like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The Tiguan's styling retained the classic German aesthetic—clean, crisp lines, and a horizontal grille featuring Volkswagen's revamped flat logo. It steered clear of adventurous design choices, presenting a sophisticated yet conservative look that beckoned appreciation for its understated elegance rather than flamboyant flair. Inside, the Tiguan told a different story. While Volkswagen once reigned supreme in interior design, the Tiguan's cabin felt lackluster. The use of hard black plastic and uninspired surfaces created an impression that was more "boring" than "simple." This was a significant departure from Volkswagen's traditionally high standards and seemed to be a trade-off in favor of better electronic features. The digital dashboard and optional glass-covered touchscreen infotainment system were highlights, bearing a striking resemblance to a premium smartphone’s display and functionality. The 2021 Subaru Forester, in contrast, was not entirely redesigned for its model year but had significant carry-overs from the 2019 redesign. Its styling bore a boxy, upright shape that resonated well with SUV buyers. Though it did not exude modern flair, the Forester's design was functional and practical. Its taillights, featuring a distinctive cross shape, were one of the few updates that stood out. The Forester Sport trim, with orange striping and sophisticated black alloy wheels, breathed some vitality into the otherwise plain exterior. Inside, the Forester continued its theme of ruggedness and durability. Materials used were not exactly glamorous but seemed robust enough to withstand years of family use and adventure. The orange accents in the Sport trim added a bit of zest. The interior offered functionality, with straightforward and practical features like large knobs for audio and climate control, though the numerous buttons on the steering wheel could be somewhat bewildering.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with VW’s famed turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, creating 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Potential buyers could choose between front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive versions. The Tiguan’s significant curb weight, ranging from 3,757 pounds for the front-wheel-drive version to as much as 3,847 pounds for the AWD version, demanded this high torque to achieve a satisfactory performance. However, the Tiguan didn't exactly excel in terms of outright speed or nimbleness. The eight-speed automatic transmission offered smooth downshifts and snappy throttle responses, but fully loaded highway passes could be a test of patience. Noise insulation worked well too—engine noise was refined, and wind noise was kept to a minimum, although rough road surfaces let a bit of noise trickle through. The Tiguan’s larger wheelbase did slightly hinder its nimbleness, and its softer suspension provided a comfortable albeit unexciting driving experience. For those seeking more driving fun, other compact crossovers, like the Mazda CX-5, were better choices. Meanwhile, the 2021 Subaru Forester's single powertrain—a 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder engine—produced 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The Forester's engine felt adequate for most driving situations but fell short during overtaking and highway merging. Additionally, wind noise at highway speeds was noticeable, adding a layer of discomfort to long drives. The Forester's suspension was tuned for comfort rather than handling, resulting in a ride that was softer but somewhat less controlled. The vehicle showed considerable body roll in corners and bounced over uneven surfaces. However, Forester’s forte was off-road driving, thanks to its standard AWD and 8.7 inches of ground clearance. Subaru's X-Mode, included in Sport models, provided "Snow/Dirt" and "Snow/Mud" settings for various terrains. Hill-descent control was standard on the Premium and higher trims.

The interior space and functionality of the Tiguan highlighted Volkswagen's commitment to practicality. The second-row seats could slide up to seven inches to provide reasonable legroom in the third row. Though the third-row space wasn't vast, it could accommodate shorter adults and kids, especially useful for families. Access to this row was facile with simple latch mechanisms. With the third-row folded, the cargo capacity of the Tiguan expanded to 65.7 cubic feet, and the figure for the two-row version stood at an impressive 73.5 cubic feet. This outdid competitors like the Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4 but slightly lagged behind the Honda CR-V’s 75.8 cubic feet. The Subaru Forester, built for five passengers, stood out for its generous headroom and legroom in both rows, enhanced by a tall roofline. This roof provided excellent outward visibility and contributed to a spacious feel. The cargo space in the Forester was substantial as well—35.4 cubic feet with rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with them folded down. However, the lack of a sliding second-row bench was a downer, a feature present in competitors like the Ford Escape and Nissan Rogue. The Forester’s cupholders were decently sized without encroaching on space, but limitations existed in phone storage, and wireless charging was not available. The power-adjustable driver’s seat was not included in the base model, requiring purchasers to look at higher trims for such conveniences.

Volkswagen’s MIB II infotainment system in the 2020 Tiguan was highly regarded, even with the impending upgrade to MIB3 in 2021. The base S trim came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, which was industry-standard, but the 8-inch capacitive touchscreen available in higher trims set a high bar. Its glass surface, vivid colors, and speedy response made it a joy to use. The Tiguan S featured a single USB-C port in the front, while the upper trims opted for traditional USB-A ports both in the front and back. Wireless charging was an added perk in the higher trims. An example of next-level technology was VW’s Digital Cockpit found in the SEL trim. This fully digital and customizable instrument panel could display a panoramic map, keeping VW ahead in technology while still supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 2021 Subaru Forester came with the Starlink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. Sport models upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen coupled with a Harman Kardon audio system. Navigation and additional USB ports for the rear were included in the Limited and Touring models. The Forester’s system was user-friendly, featuring analog controls for major functions, but the screen's slow startup could be a disappointment. Subaru also included a secondary screen for supplemental information like fuel economy and tire pressure. While this could be helpful, having multiple screens showing similar data might appear redundant to some users.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan's safety suite saw significant enhancements, with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert becoming standard across all trims. However, adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assistance was only available in the top SEL trim, a notable limitation when compared to rivals like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, which included adaptive cruise systems in their base models. The Tiguan also featured VW’s Car-Net, a telematics package that connected the vehicle to an owner's smartphone, enabling remote access functions including vehicle status checks and geofencing. The IIHS awarded the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick, but only for the SEL Premium models equipped with LED headlights as most trims had halogen headlights rated poor by IIHS. Safety was a recognized strength for Subaru, and the 2021 Forester epitomized this. It received a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS, indicating top ratings across all crash tests and superior front-crash prevention tech. The NHTSA also gave it a five-star overall rating. The Forester came standard with Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist suite, which included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. Unique to Subaru, the DriverFocus system monitored driver distraction using a camera, adding another layer of safety. Features like blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking were available as options, while the adaptive cruise control performed adequately, ensuring drivers were attentive.