2021 GMC Yukon vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 GMC Yukon was a full-size SUV that balanced ruggedness with refinement, positioning itself between Chevrolet and Cadillac in the General Motors lineup. It was available in standard and extended-length body styles, with trim levels including SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali. The Yukon AT4 was new for 2021, designed for off-road adventures with features like an improved approach angle, skid plates, and all-terrain tires. However, the Denali trim was the most popular, offering a more upscale experience with exclusive dashboard design, real wood trim, leather-wrapped panels, and unique interior stitching.

The Yukon Denali Ultimate, priced at $83,720, featured a striking Midnight Blue paint and 22-inch wheels, making it more upscale than the Chevrolet Tahoe High Country. The Denali's intricate grillework, vent-style fender badges, chrome lower body trim, and appealing rear styling set it apart. Inside, the Denali's exclusive dashboard design, real wood trim, leather-wrapped panels, and panoramic sunroof created an upscale cabin experience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, on the other hand, offered a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic. It was large for its class, nearly as big inside as a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento. The Tiguan's upsizing resulted in a roomy and accommodating interior with plenty of space for four people, and a small third-row seat expanded passenger capacity to seven. The interior featured modern geometric forms and a no-nonsense control layout, with shiny detailing, digital instrumentation, and a flush touchscreen infotainment system. However, the Tiguan's cabin had too much hard plastic, and the steering wheel stalks felt flimsy.

The 2021 GMC Yukon offered three engine options. The standard engine for all but the Denali was a 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V8. The Denali featured a 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine, providing robust acceleration and a V8 burble at idle. However, fuel economy was not its strong suit, with an average of 14.4 mpg on the testing loop and 16.2 mpg on a shorter loop. The Yukon with 4WD and the 6.2-liter V8 was EPA-rated at 14 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined.

The Yukon Denali's ride quality and handling were improved by the new independent rear suspension and available Four-Corner Air Ride suspension with Magnetic Ride Control. However, the 22-inch wheels and 275/50 tires made pavement irregularities more noticeable. The Yukon Denali was capable when needed, thanks to its Active Response 4WD system, which included an Autotrac two-speed transfer case, Traction Select driving modes, and an electronic limited-slip differential. The Yukon Denali could tow up to 8,400 pounds with 2WD and 8,300 pounds with 4WD.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels by default, with 4Motion AWD available as an option. The Tiguan's powertrain was adequate but suffered from turbocharger lag, making it feel breathless when extra power was needed. The Tiguan's curb weight of nearly 4,000 pounds contributed to this perception of lethargy.

The Tiguan returned 25 mpg in combined driving with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD, according to the EPA. During testing, the Tiguan AWD averaged 22.6 mpg. The Tiguan provided a pleasurable driving experience with light but responsive steering, a soft and compliant ride, refined braking action, and tossable handling. However, the Tiguan's suspension allowed too much vertical and lateral body motion on curvy roads, and the tires gave up their grip early in corners. The Tiguan was quiet and composed on the highway, making long road trips more enjoyable.

The 2021 GMC Yukon benefited from a new independent rear suspension, resulting in significant gains in passenger and cargo space. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with 12-way power adjustments, but lacked a massage function. The second-row seats slid and collapsed to fold flat, improving comfort and cargo room. The third-row seat provided actual thigh support, making it comfortable for adults. Cargo volume ranged from 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row to a maximum of 122.9 cubic feet.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors and tall seating hip points. The front seats offered a wide range of adjustments and excellent outward visibility. The back seat provided 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, with a maximum capacity of 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet.

The 2021 GMC Yukon Denali with the Ultimate Package offered a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and access to a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Upgrades included wireless device charging, a navigation system, a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system, and a Rear Seat Media system with dual 12.6-inch touchscreen displays. The Yukon also featured a 15-inch color head-up display, a rear camera mirror, and multiple surround-view camera vantage points.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim. MIB3 included an 8-inch touchscreen, 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 six-speaker sound system in most trims struggled with bass-heavy music, and the voice recognition technology was subpar.

The 2021 GMC Yukon came equipped with numerous advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features included forward collision warning, daytime pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. Starting with SLT trim, the Yukon added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Denali trim included adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The Yukon Denali's ADAS operated smoothly and subtly, making it a pleasure to use.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the IQ Drive collection of ADAS, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Starting with SE trim, the Tiguan added adaptive cruise control. The SEL trim included lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, while the SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights. The Tiguan's adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were effective but had some quirks. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.