2021 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2021 Chevrolet Trax

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax, based on the 2015 model, had received updates in 2017 that carried over into 2021. These updates included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In 2020, the infotainment system was upgraded, and by 2021, the Premier trim was dropped, leaving only the LS and LT trims. The LS trim featured 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, cloth upholstery, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The LT trim added heated, power-adjustable side mirrors, LED lights, remote start, and upgraded seats, among other features. Various styling packages and driver assistance options were also available for the LT trim.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan boasted clean lines and balanced proportions, offering a conservative yet upscale design. It was larger than its predecessor, providing a roomy interior comparable to the Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento. The Tiguan could accommodate up to seven passengers with an optional third-row seat for AWD models. The interior featured modern geometric forms, a purposeful control layout, and shiny detailing. However, it had more hard plastic than an Audi. The Tiguan came in S, SE, and SEL trims, with sporty R-Line variants. Pricing ranged from $25,245 to $39,095, excluding the $1,195 destination charge.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission sent power to either FWD or AWD. While the engine was adequate for city driving, it struggled at highway speeds and during passing maneuvers, making a lot of noise. The Trax had a firm ride, which could be harsh over potholes, but its tight turning radius made it maneuverable in tight spaces. Rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 offered more comfortable rides and were more fun to drive. A retuned engine for the 2022 Trax promised 155 horsepower.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels, with 4Motion AWD available for an additional $1,400 on most models. The engine experienced some turbo lag, making it feel breathless during passing maneuvers, partly due to its nearly 4,000-pound curb weight. The Tiguan returned 25 mpg in combined driving with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD, though testing showed an average of 22.6 mpg for the AWD model. Despite its powertrain's shortcomings, the Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience with light steering, a compliant ride, and nimble handling, though it struggled over sharp speed bumps and railroad tracks.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax provided respectable headroom and legroom in both rows, with supportive front seats but poorly bolstered rear seats. The front featured multiple storage trays and low cupholder placement for large water bottles. The Trax offered 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat could also fold flat for larger items. These cargo figures were mid-pack for the subcompact SUV segment, and there was no option for a power liftgate.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors and tall seating hip points for easy entry and exit. The front seats offered a wide range of adjustments, and the V-Tex leatherette upholstery mimicked real leather. 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 carrying long items and four passengers simultaneously. Cargo volume ranged from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, depending on the presence of the third-row seat, with a maximum capacity of 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax came with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, featuring easy-to-follow menus and vivid graphics. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an available WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing, and expanded features. These included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi for up to four devices, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and Car-Net connected services. The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation. However, the voice recognition technology and standard six-speaker sound system had some shortcomings, with the SEL Premium R-Line offering a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received a five-star rating from the NHTSA but did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. Standard safety features included airbags and a backup camera. The LT Convenience Package added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors, but the Trax lacked advanced safety features like forward-collision avoidance and automatic emergency braking.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came with 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. The SE trim added adaptive cruise control, while the SEL 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's adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were effective but had some inconsistencies. The Tiguan earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for the SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims, but the NHTSA had not published complete crash-test results.