2021 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered six distinct versions, each with unique styling cues. The base LS and popular LT trims featured different grille patterns, while the sporty RST had a slotted grille, blacked-out appearance, and 22-inch wheels. The rugged Z71 combined the LS grille with a blacked-out look, red tow hooks, a skid plate, and unique 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. The upscale Premier trim borrowed the RST’s slotted grille with chrome accents and polished wheels, while the luxurious High Country boasted a chrome bar grille, 22-inch wheels with a bright finish, and body-color mirror caps. Standard LED headlights and expressive taillights added to the Tahoe's bold design.

Inside, the Tahoe's interior featured a larger 10.2-inch infotainment screen and new electronic transmission controls. The Z71 trim we tested included leather seats, a power panoramic sunroof, and a power sliding floor console. The cabin's upper half had exposed stitching and soft-touch surfaces, while the lower half used hard plastic. Prices ranged from $49,000 for the base LS to $72,600 for the High Country, with our Z71 test vehicle priced at $76,225.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, on the other hand, showcased clean lines and balanced proportions, offering a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic. It was large for its class, nearly matching the interior space of a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento. The Tiguan's upsizing resulted in a roomy interior with plenty of space for four people, and an optional third-row seat expanded capacity to seven, though the third row was best suited for children.

Inside, the Tiguan featured modern geometric forms and a no-nonsense control layout. The cabin's somber tones were dressed up with shiny detailing, digital instrumentation, and a flush touchscreen infotainment system. However, the Tiguan had more hard plastic than an Audi, and the steering wheel stalks felt flimsy. Pricing ranged from $25,245 to $39,095, with our SEL trim test vehicle priced at $35,040.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered three engine options. The standard 5.3-liter V8, available in all trims except the High Country, delivered 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The High Country featured a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel inline six-cylinder, available for all trims except the Z71, provided 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, promising improved fuel efficiency. A 10-speed automatic transmission powered the Tahoe, with rear-wheel drive standard and four-wheel drive optional, except for the Z71, which had standard 4WD.

The Tahoe's new independent rear suspension, coupled with adaptive damping and air suspension upgrades, significantly improved ride quality. The 5.3-liter V8 and 10-speed automatic transmission delivered refined and capable performance, with an EPA estimate of 18 mpg in combined driving. The Z71 trim impressed with its smooth ride and commendable handling, though the all-terrain tires affected cornering on pavement.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels, with 4Motion AWD available as an option. The Tiguan's powertrain was adequate but suffered from turbocharger lag, making it feel breathless during passing maneuvers. The EPA rated the Tiguan at 25 mpg in combined driving with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD, though our test vehicle averaged 22.6 mpg.

Despite its powertrain limitations, the Tiguan provided a pleasurable driving experience with light, responsive steering, a compliant ride, and nimble handling. However, the suspension allowed too much body motion on curvy roads, and the tires lacked grip. The Tiguan excelled on the highway, offering a quiet and composed ride.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe's new independent rear suspension improved passenger comfort and cargo space. The test vehicle featured heated power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power sliding storage console. The second-row offered a choice between a bench seat or captain's chairs, with the latter providing easy access to the third-row seat. The third-row seat room was substantially improved, accommodating adults comfortably. The Tahoe offered 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, 72.6 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, and a maximum of 122.9 cubic feet.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors, tall seating hip points, and a wide range of front seat adjustments. The back seat provided excellent support, generous legroom, and foot space, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The Tiguan's 40/20/40-split folding rear seat allowed for flexible cargo and passenger configurations. Cargo volume ranged from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, depending on whether the SUV had the optional third-row seat, with a maximum capacity of 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe featured a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, and Chevrolet Connected Services. Navigation and two different Bose premium audio systems were available. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the main-menu shortcut icons were somewhat hard to use. The voice-recognition system was impressive, and Bluetooth pairing was fast. The test vehicle included a Rear Seat Media system and a wireless charging pad.

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

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe came standard with Teen Driver, rear-seat reminder, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trims and options added lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and rear pedestrian detection. Premier and High Country trims included adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, a Safety Alert Seat, and an upgraded blind-spot warning system. The Tahoe had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.

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. SE trim added adaptive cruise control, while SEL trim included 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 earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims, but NHTSA had not published complete crash-test results.