2021 Genesis GV80 vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Genesis GV80, as a new entrant in the luxury SUV market, offered a fresh design perspective unburdened by a long legacy. This allowed Genesis to innovate and establish a signature look, characterized by a massive trapezoidal grille, Quad Lamp LED headlights, and elegant two-box design. The GV80's exterior was marked by its long hood, short front overhang, and large wheel arches, which housed 19-inch to 22-inch wheels. The rear design mirrored the front with Quad Lamp taillights and twin trapezoidal tailpipes. Inside, the GV80 boasted a sleek, uncluttered dashboard with a 14.5-inch widescreen display, real wood, metal, and leather materials, and a bridge-like center console with minimal controls, creating a luxurious and spacious environment.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a more conservative and timeless aesthetic, appealing to those who appreciated clean lines and balanced proportions. Despite its understated styling, the Tiguan was large for its class, offering a roomy interior comparable to larger SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe. The interior featured modern geometric forms and a no-nonsense control layout, with a few quirks such as the engine start button's unusual placement. While the Tiguan's cabin was dressed up with shiny detailing and a touchscreen infotainment system, it fell short of luxury standards due to the presence of hard plastics and flimsy steering wheel stalks. The Tiguan's design was practical and functional, with a focus on comfort and space.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. The V6 models came standard with all-wheel drive, while the four-cylinder models had rear-wheel drive with optional AWD. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The GV80's ride was supported by a 116.3-inch wheelbase and independent multi-link suspension, with advanced suspension features available on higher trims. The 2.5T engine provided sufficient power for most driving situations, while the 3.5T offered a smoother and more powerful experience, enhanced by active noise cancellation. Fuel economy for the GV80 ranged from 18 to 25 mpg, depending on the engine and drivetrain configuration.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Power was sent to the front wheels by default, with an optional 4Motion AWD system. The Tiguan's engine was adequate but suffered from turbo lag, making it feel underpowered in certain situations, especially given its nearly 4,000-pound curb weight. The Tiguan's fuel economy was rated at 25 mpg combined for FWD models and 24 mpg for AWD models, with real-world testing showing an average of 22.6 mpg. Despite its powertrain limitations, the Tiguan offered a pleasant driving experience with light steering, a compliant ride, and nimble handling, though it struggled with suspension isolation over rough surfaces.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a sophisticated interior with a focus on technology and ergonomics. The center console housed a rotary gear selector and a circular multimedia controller with dual control capabilities. The HVAC control panel used capacitive touch buttons with intelligent masking to prevent accidental misuse. The GV80's second row was spacious and comfortable, with available power seats and window shades. A third row was standard on certain trims, increasing passenger capacity to seven, though it was not available on all models.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors and tall seating positions for easy entry and exit. The front seats offered a wide range of adjustments, and the V-Tex leatherette upholstery provided good support. The back seat was spacious, with ample legroom and foot space, and included air conditioning vents and USB ports. The Tiguan's cargo space was versatile, with a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat and a usefully shaped cargo area. Cargo volume varied depending on the presence of a third row, ranging from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, with a maximum capacity of up to 73.5 cubic feet.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a sixth-generation Genesis UX infotainment system with a 14.5-inch HD screen, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system offered cloud connectivity, over-the-air updates, and user-configurable split-screen displays. Android users could utilize a digital key function, while Genesis Connected Services provided a range of remote and guidance features. Higher trims included a head-up display and a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster. The standard audio system had 12 speakers, with an optional 21-speaker Lexicon Quantum Logic Surround system.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment platform, available from the SE trim, with an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing, and expanded features. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi, SiriusXM 360L, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The system had some user interface quirks, and the standard six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music. Higher trims featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 was equipped with 10 airbags, including a front-center airbag, and a suite of advanced safety features such as blind-spot collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and forward collision-avoidance assist. It also offered adaptive cruise control with machine learning and highway-driving assist. The GV80 had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but Genesis aimed for top safety ratings.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with the IQ Drive suite, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Tiguan's safety systems were generally effective, though some features, like adaptive cruise control, had limitations. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in certain trims, but NHTSA ratings were incomplete.