2021 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

Ford had taken a traditional approach to SUV production with the 2021 Explorer, creating a family resemblance across its lineup. The Explorer's exterior was sporty and distinctive, though it could be mistaken for the Edge at a quick glance. The vehicle offered six trim levels, each with varying grille designs and price points ranging from $32,925 to $52,730. Inside, the Explorer featured three rows of seats as standard, with cloth upholstery on the base model. The dash was clean, featuring an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and a rotary gearshift that freed up storage space. The XLT trim, the most popular, offered better equipment and finishes, while leather upholstery was standard on higher trims.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, refreshed for the year, maintained a conservative yet timeless design. The new front styling aligned it with Volkswagen’s larger models, featuring a restyled grille, standard LED headlights, and redesigned aluminum wheels. The Tiguan came in four trims: S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line, with prices ranging from $25,995 to $36,995. The SEL R-Line test vehicle featured a sportier look with 18-inch alloy wheels and a rich Atlantic Blue Metallic paint. Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line boasted a luxurious cabin with leather upholstery, new technology, and ambient lighting. However, the hard plastic in the lower half of the cabin revealed its mass-market status.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, weighing 4,345 pounds at its lightest, featured a base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Limited Hybrid trim offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims had a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, while the sport-oriented ST trim offered 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. All trims used a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Explorer excelled in towing, with capacities ranging from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,900 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the front wheels, with an optional 4Motion AWD system. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings for AWD models. The vehicle featured MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link independent rear suspension, with variable assist steering. Despite some turbo lag, the Tiguan was enjoyable to drive, though it lacked the power and performance expected from its engine. The EPA rated the R-Line with 4Motion at 24 mpg in combined driving.

The 2021 Ford Explorer's base model seated seven, while other trims with captain’s chairs in the second row reduced capacity to six. It offered 39 inches of second-row legroom, ahead of some competitors but behind others like the Kia Telluride. With the third row deployed, the Explorer provided 21 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, a giant among compact crossovers, offered a spacious interior comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. FWD models featured a standard third-row seat, while 4Motion models did not. The SEL R-Line test vehicle had comfortable leather front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The second row was roomy and comfortable for adults, with rear air conditioning vents and a USB charging port. The Tiguan's cargo space was impressive, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded in 4Motion models. FWD models with the third row had 12 cubic feet behind the third row, 33 cubic feet with it folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2021 Ford Explorer's base trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen with AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, HD radio, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Charging options included two USB ports and five 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC power outlet available on higher trims.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line offering a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available on all but the base S trim, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, App-Connect smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L. The SEL R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender audio system. However, the natural voice recognition feature required a Plus Speech upgrade and an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription. The Tiguan also offered a Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. The Explorer's base trim included the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite with features like auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and dynamic brake support. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and speed sign recognition.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan's standard safety features included Front Assist and Side Assist. The IQ Drive collection added Travel Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist, which could bring the vehicle to a stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model's new features could potentially improve that score.