2021 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

In 2021, the Honda Pilot presented buyers with an array of styling options aimed at satisfying diverse tastes. Honda had enhanced the Pilot's rugged appeal with a 2019-model-year refresh and followed it up with the 2020 Black Edition, which featured a popular blacked-out design. However, despite these efforts, the exterior design of the Pilot remained an acquired taste for many.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came in seven different trims: the base LX, the popular EX, the leather-clad EX-L, the Special Edition, the tech-forward Touring, the upscale Elite, and the fully blacked-out Black Edition. Pricing for these models ranged from $32,250 to $49,920. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, but buyers could add all-wheel drive (AWD) for an additional $2,000 on most trims, while Elite and Black Edition models included AWD as standard.

The Special Edition trim was a new addition for 2021. It featured black 20-inch alloy wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, wireless smartphone charging, and a hands-free power tailgate. MSRP for the FWD Special Edition started at $38,960. We tested the fully loaded Black Edition, featuring a $395 Platinum White Pearl paint job, bringing the total price to $51,435, including a $1,120 destination charge. Previously, the Black Edition was only available in black, so the new white color option was a significant improvement.

Black Editions boasted exclusive black leather upholstery with red-tinted perforated seat inserts, red contrast stitching, and red ambient lighting. However, the black floor mats clung to pet hair, requiring a lint roller for thorough cleaning, as even a Dyson Animal vacuum couldn't remove all the hair.

Inside, the Pilot showcased high-quality materials, including hard plastic panels. The flat dashboard, thin windshield pillars, front quarter windows, and low center console with a rolltop tray gave the front seat a minivan-like feel, a characteristic that, when combined with its exterior design, wasn't the Pilot's strongest selling point.

In comparison, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan embraced clean lines and balanced proportions, delivering a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic. Though some found the styling unexciting, VW's minimalistic design philosophy ensured that the Tiguan would age gracefully.

The Tiguan was also notably large for its class. After adjusting from the first-generation Tiguan's too-compact size, VW had introduced a long-wheelbase version to cater to markets that favored larger vehicles. As a result, the Tiguan offered interior dimensions nearly on par with the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento.

The upsizing of the Tiguan resulted in a spacious and accommodating interior, with room for four adults comfortably and the capacity to seat five if necessary. Additionally, an optional third-row seat expanded the seating capacity to seven, though at least three of those occupants needed to be children. The third-row option was available for Tiguans equipped with AWD.

Inside, the Tiguan combined modern geometric forms with a purposeful control layout typical of German automakers. The engine start button's unusual placement on the center console, left of the gear selector, was a notable quirk. High gloss detailing, available digital instrumentation, and an integrated touchscreen infotainment system offered modernity, but the abundance of hard plastic and flimsy steering wheel stalks reminded users that they weren't in an Audi.

The 2021 Tiguan was available in S, SE, and SEL trims, with two R-Line variants: SE R-Line Black and SEL Premium R-Line. Prices ranged from $25,245 to $39,095, excluding a $1,195 destination charge. Our test vehicle was an SEL trim with 4Motion AWD, priced at $35,040, including the destination fee.

Under the hood, every 2021 Honda Pilot housed a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain provided a smooth and refined driving experience, with sufficient acceleration and quick responsiveness.

The Pilot's nine-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels unless paired with the optional torque-vectoring AWD system, which could direct up to 70 percent of engine output to either rear wheel. The Pilot also featured Hill Start Assist and Intelligent Traction Management with driving modes for Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand conditions. Variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start contributed to fuel efficiency, with the AWD model achieving an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in combined driving. Our tests showed an average of 21.5 mpg.

The Pilot's suspension, using a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear design, provided a comfortable ride and handled surprisingly well, thanks in part to the torque-vectoring AWD system and 20-inch wheels with 245/50 tires. Excellent outward visibility, well-weighted steering, and responsive brakes added to the driving enjoyment, although the brakes could heat up and vibrate under prolonged use.

However, the Pilot's off-road capability was limited by its 7.3 inches of ground clearance, shallow approach and departure angles, and all-season tires. It could manage minor off-road challenges, but wasn't designed for more serious terrain.

Conversely, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower at 4,360 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at just 1,600 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels by default, with 4Motion AWD as a $1,400 option on most models and standard on the SEL Premium R-Line.

The Tiguan's powertrain proved adequate but suffered from turbo lag, causing a delay when pressing the accelerator until the turbo kicked in. This turbo-four engine felt underpowered in aggressive driving scenarios, particularly when passing or accelerating onto highways, likely due to the vehicle's nearly 4,000-pound curb weight.

The EPA rated the FWD Tiguan at 25 mpg in combined driving and the AWD model at 24 mpg. Our AWD test vehicle averaged 22.6 mpg, indicating minimal fuel economy benefits despite the drivetrain's delayed responses and lack of mid-range power.

In general, the Tiguan offered a pleasant driving experience. Its light yet responsive steering, compliant ride, refined braking, and maneuverable handling suited urban and suburban driving well. However, its suspension revealed harshness over sharper bumps and railroad tracks. On curvy roads, the Tiguan couldn't match the agility of Volkswagen's GTI hatchback, with tires losing grip early and causing significant body motion, prompting drivers to reduce speed.

Despite this, the Tiguan remained quiet and composed on highways, making it a comfortable choice for long-distance travel.

The 2021 Honda Pilot boasted practical and family-friendly interior space, accommodating up to eight passengers with a second-row bench seat. The test model's leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats offered comfort and support, with a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat standard on most trims. However, the front passenger seat had only four-way adjustment but still provided adequate leg support.

Touring, Elite, and Black Edition trims were equipped with second-row captain's chairs, nearly as comfortable as the front seats and featuring armrests and heating. These seats could slide forward to ease third-row access. Our test vehicle included side window shades, tri-zone climate control, and a rear-seat entertainment system with HDMI and USB ports.

In the third row, seat comfort was average for midsize SUVs, with a low cushion making longer rides uncomfortable for adults. Storage options were abundant, with compartments in door panels, seatback pockets with smartphone holders, and a large center console with a rolltop design.

Starting from the EX-L trim, the Pilot came with a power tailgate, upgraded to a hands-free version in higher trims. The cargo space behind the third row measured 16.5 cubic feet, with additional trays and a hidden compartment for smaller items. Folding the third row expanded the cargo capacity to 46.8 cubic feet, sufficient for a family's road trip needs. Maximum cargo volume reached 83.9 cubic feet.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort inside the cabin, featuring large doors and high seating positions for easy entry and exit. The front seats offered numerous adjustments for proper visibility and support, upholstered in convincing V-Tex leatherette, complemented by dual-zone climate control.

Rear-seat passengers enjoyed excellent legroom, foot space, air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports. The soft material on the front seatbacks maximized comfort for taller passengers, and ample clearance benefited parents using rear-facing child seats.

An optional panoramic sunroof with an effective wind deflector provided an open-air experience. However, storage space was limited, with a glovebox, fabric-lined door bins, and a hard-to-reach wireless charging slot.

The Tiguan featured a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat for versatile passenger and cargo arrangements. Cargo space ranged from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, depending on the presence of a third-row seat. Maximum capacity varied from 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet. The spacious cargo hold and side wells made it practical for carrying various items.

Most 2021 Honda Pilots were equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, satellite radio, and basic HondaLink services. The new Special Edition trim included wireless phone charging, while the Touring trim added navigation, a WiFi hotspot, a premium 10-speaker audio system, and additional HondaLink subscription services.

Though adequate, the Pilot's infotainment system fell short compared to some rivals. The screen was relatively small, and the audio system had a volume knob but no tuning knob. Additionally, the voice-recognition system required specific prompts for accuracy, and HondaLink services were limited to higher trims.

Touring models included a rear-seat entertainment system, a 115-volt power outlet, an HDMI port, and Cabin Talk, enabling the driver to communicate with rear passengers through speakers or headphones. The rear entertainment system supported DVDs, Blu-Ray discs, and streaming apps, though kids often preferred using the WiFi with their devices.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing, and expanded features. MIB3 included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi for up to four devices, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and many connected services like remote engine start, crash notification, and Family Guardian settings.

While an improvement, the Tiguan’s MIB3 system had quirks and subpar voice recognition. The standard six-speaker sound system struggled with certain tracks at moderate volumes, though the SEL Premium R-Line's nine-speaker Fender audio system offered a superior experience.

Higher trims featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation, providing a modern, understated display of information and technology.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Starting with the EX trim, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning were also included.

Although Honda Sensing was effective, it lacked refinement, and the lane-departure warning's steering wheel wobble was overly noticeable. The Pilot earned favorable crash-test ratings, receiving a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), despite a four-star rating for front-passenger frontal-impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Pilot with top "good" ratings except for an “acceptable” score for small overlap frontal-impact protection for the front passenger and headlight performance ratings that varied by trim.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured IQ Drive, a standard package of ADAS including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. From the SE trim upward, adaptive cruise control was added, with the SEL additionally offering lane-keep assist, and the SEL Premium R-Line featuring automatic high-beam headlights and front and rear parking sensors.

During testing, the adaptive cruise control performed smoothly but had a delay in recognizing vehicles cutting into the gap. The lane-keep assist was generally reliable, and the blind-spot warning was highly visible on the mirror housing. However, the comprehensive safety suite also included automatic post-collision braking and various Car-Net connected services for added protection and parental controls.

According to IIHS, the Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating for SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims with high-performing LED headlights. The NHTSA hadn’t published complete crash-test results for the 2021 Tiguan.