2021 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban featured a front-end design that was often described as polarizing. Unlike its more conservative predecessors, the current model adopted a design language reminiscent of the Camaro, with small headlights and large, busy grilles. This design choice was not universally well-received, and some speculated that it might require an early refresh. However, the interior of the Suburban remained largely unchanged, with controls in familiar places and a user-friendly layout. The High Country trim, which we tested, offered upscale features but fell short of true luxury, with hard plastics and a less-than-premium feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan boasted clean lines and balanced proportions, giving it a conservative yet upscale and timeless aesthetic. This design was expected to age well, unlike the more polarizing Suburban. The Tiguan's interior was roomy and accommodating, with a no-nonsense control layout typical of German automakers. However, it did have some hard plastics and flimsy-feeling steering wheel stalks, which detracted from its otherwise upscale feel. The SEL trim we tested offered a good balance of features and comfort, making it a strong contender in its class.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came with a choice of three engines: a standard 5.3-liter V8 producing 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, and a newly available 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel engine generating 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) standard and four-wheel drive (4WD) available. The diesel engine provided excellent pickup and V8-level torque, making it a strong performer. The Suburban's handling was a mix of good and bad, with terrific brakes but noticeable body roll and susceptibility to crosswinds. The independent rear suspension improved ride quality, but the vehicle still exhibited some truck-like tendencies.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive (FWD) standard and 4Motion all-wheel drive (AWD) available for an additional $1,400. The Tiguan's powertrain was adequate but suffered from turbo lag, making it feel breathless during passing maneuvers. The EPA rated the Tiguan at 25 mpg combined for FWD and 24 mpg for AWD, but our test model averaged 22.6 mpg. Despite its powertrain shortcomings, the Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience with light, responsive steering, a compliant ride, and nimble handling. However, it struggled with sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks, revealing an unrefined character.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering 144.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, 93.8 cubic feet with the second row in use, and 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row. Passengers enjoyed a commanding view of the road and ample head- and legroom, especially in the second-row captain's chairs. The control layout was similar to GM's pickup trucks, but the button shifter design was less intuitive. The power-sliding center console was a complex feature that added little value, overshadowed by the Suburban's impressive passenger and cargo space.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors, tall seating hip points, and a wide range of front seat adjustments. The V-Tex leatherette upholstery and dual-zone climate control added to the comfort. The back seat offered excellent support, generous legroom, and air conditioning vents, making it suitable for taller passengers and reverse-facing child safety seats. The Tiguan's 40/20/40-split folding rear seat allowed for versatile cargo configurations, with cargo volume ranging from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet with the seats folded, depending on the presence of the optional third-row seat.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen running GM's intuitive infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system had crisp graphics and a sensible layout, with a helpful home button for easy navigation. Optional features included a navigation system, rear entertainment system with large touchscreens, and a head-up display with large, easy-to-read graphics.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing, and expanded features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi, SiriusXM 360L, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The system also included Car-Net connected services with remote engine starting, automatic crash notification, and Family Guardian settings. However, the voice recognition technology was lacking, and the standard six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music. The SEL Premium R-Line trim offered a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system and Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came equipped with automatic emergency braking, forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and rear parking sensors. The Teen Driver system allowed parents to set speed and volume limitations for younger drivers. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic assist, front parking sensors, and a surround-view monitor camera system. Unique options included the rear-view camera mirror and Safety Alert Seat, which vibrated for alerts.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Starting with SE trim, adaptive cruise control was included, while the SEL added lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist. The SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights and front and rear parking sensors. The Tiguan's adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were effective but had some inconsistencies. The parking sensors and reversing camera provided clear views, with a top-down surround-view available on the SEL Premium R-Line. The Tiguan also included Car-Net connected services with automatic collision notification and Family Guardian alerts. The IIHS awarded the Tiguan a "Top Safety Pick" rating for SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims, while the NHTSA had not published complete crash-test results.