2021 INFINITI QX80 vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 showcased a blend of Nissan Armada and Infiniti design elements. Its body-on-frame construction, shared with the Armada, was evident in the roofline profile and rear window curve. The QX80’s front end, however, was distinctly Infiniti, featuring a grille and headlight design that aligned with other Infiniti SUVs, giving it an assertive yet not overly aggressive look. Standard LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights, along with 20-inch wheels on the base model and 22-inch wheels on higher trims, added to its luxurious appeal. Inside, the QX80’s interior closely resembled the Armada, with wood trim, contrast stitching, and leather upholstery enhancing its luxury feel, though some elements like the foot-operated parking brake felt less high-end.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan boasted clean lines and balanced proportions, offering a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic. Its larger size for a compact crossover provided a roomy interior, nearly matching the space of larger SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe. The Tiguan’s interior featured modern geometric forms and a no-nonsense control layout, though some elements like the engine start button placement were unconventional. The cabin, dressed in somber tones with shiny detailing and a flush touchscreen display, felt upscale but not quite Audi-level, with some hard plastics and flimsy steering wheel stalks detracting from the overall feel. The Tiguan offered various trims, including sporty R-Line variants, with pricing ranging from $25,245 to $39,095.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with a 4WD option available for an additional $3,100. The V8 engine provided responsive performance, making highway overtaking stress-free, though the transmission shifts felt less smooth. The QX80’s body-on-frame construction, combined with independent suspension and Hydraulic Body Motion Control on Sensory models, delivered a comfortable ride, though some shudders were noticeable over bumps. The SUV’s handling was less composed in corners, with significant body roll, but the speed-sensitive power steering promoted a relaxed driving style. The QX80 excelled in towing and off-road capability, with a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds and a 4WD system with low range and a forward skid plate.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with the 4Motion AWD system available for $1,400 on most models and standard on the SEL Premium R-Line. The engine provided adequate performance, though it suffered from turbo lag, making it feel breathless during passing maneuvers. The Tiguan’s fuel economy was rated at 25 mpg combined for FWD and 24 mpg for AWD, with our test model averaging 22.6 mpg. The Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience with light, responsive steering, a compliant ride, and refined braking action, though it struggled with sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks. The SUV’s handling was predictable but not sporty, with early tire grip loss and significant body motion in corners. However, it was quiet and composed on the highway, making long road trips enjoyable.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 offered a three-row seating configuration, with standard seven-seat capacity and an optional eight-seat setup. The front seats featured 10-way and eight-way adjustability, with heating and cooling on Sensory models, though the bottom cushions lacked thigh support. Passenger space was competitive, with ample room in all three rows, though cargo space was less than segment leaders like the Cadillac Escalade. The QX80 provided 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 95.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The center console offered limited storage, and the front-door cupholders were not well-shaped for holding drinks.

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 excellent visibility, with V-Tex leatherette upholstery and dual-zone climate control. 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, with cargo volume ranging from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 73.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. Storage space was limited, though the cargo area featured deep wells for carrying items.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 came with the Infiniti InTouch dual-screen infotainment system, featuring 8.0-inch and 7.0-inch touchscreens, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a built-in WiFi hotspot, and navigation. The system included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 13-speaker Bose audio system, with optional upgrades like a 17-speaker Bose system and a rear-seat entertainment package. However, the user interface was complicated, with small screens and controls that were difficult to use. The Smart Rearview Mirror and Around View Monitor 360-degree camera system were helpful features for driving the large SUV.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing, and expanded features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi, SiriusXM 360L, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The system included Car-Net connected services with remote engine starting, automatic crash notification, and Family Guardian settings. The MIB3 system was an improvement, though the voice recognition technology and standard six-speaker sound system were lacking. Higher trims featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars for side crash tests, four stars for frontal crash tests, and a three-star rollover rating. The IIHS had not tested the QX80. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and Backup Collision Intervention.

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. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Tiguan’s safety features performed well during testing, though some systems like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were inconsistent. The Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims, while the NHTSA had not published complete crash-test results.