2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, despite being in its second generation since 2014, continued to impress with its luxurious and modern design. The 2018 refresh, which carried over into 2021, introduced a dual-screen center console that became a hallmark of Land Rover interiors. The plug-in hybrid variant, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, added to its appeal. The Range Rover Sport offered a range of trims, from the base SE with leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control, to the high-end Autobiography and performance-oriented SVR models, each adding more luxury and power.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan showcased a conservative yet upscale design that was both timeless and practical. Its larger size for a compact SUV provided ample interior space, nearly rivaling midsize SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe. The Tiguan's interior was roomy, with a third-row seat option for AWD models, making it versatile for families. The clean, geometric interior design, combined with practical features like a panoramic sunroof and ample legroom, made the Tiguan a comfortable and functional choice.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a variety of powertrains to suit different driving preferences. The base P360 mild-hybrid powertrain, available in the SE and SE Silver Edition, featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HST model upgraded to the P400 powertrain, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The HSE Silver Edition also offered a plug-in hybrid with 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, and a diesel option with 254 hp and 443 lb-ft. The HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims boasted a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft, while the SVR models pushed this to 575 hp and 516 lb-ft. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD, with impressive off-road capabilities and a towing capacity of up to 7,716 pounds (except the SVR, which towed 6,613 pounds).

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, on the other hand, was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, drove the front wheels by default, with 4Motion AWD available as an option. While the Tiguan's powertrain was adequate, it suffered from turbo lag and felt underpowered during high-demand situations, partly due to its nearly 4,000-pound curb weight. The Tiguan's fuel economy was rated at 25 mpg combined for FWD and 24 mpg for AWD, though real-world testing showed an average of 22.6 mpg for the AWD model. Despite its powertrain limitations, the Tiguan offered a pleasant driving experience with responsive steering, a compliant ride, and nimble handling, though it struggled with sharper bumps and lacked the sporty feel of some competitors.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport provided a maximum of 63.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 31.7 cubic feet with the second row in use. An optional third row increased seating capacity to seven, though it reduced cargo space to 10.8 cubic feet. Both the first and second rows offered ample headroom and legroom, with the third row best suited for children. The Range Rover Sport's interior combined space with luxury, making it a comfortable choice for passengers.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in interior comfort and space. Large doors and tall seating positions made entry and exit easy, while the front seats offered a wide range of adjustments and excellent visibility. The back seat provided generous legroom and foot space, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for added convenience. 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. The optional third row reduced cargo space but added versatility for families.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a dual-screen center console, with the lower screen handling climate controls and vehicle settings, and the upper screen dedicated to the infotainment system. While the system had a learning curve and some early bugs, it offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The lower screen's dials controlled various functions, adding to the system's versatility. Despite its complexity, the Range Rover Sport's infotainment system provided a high-tech feel, though it wasn't the most intuitive on the market.

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, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The system also included Car-Net connected services with remote engine starting and Family Guardian settings. While the MIB3 system was an improvement, it had some quirks, and the standard six-speaker sound system struggled with certain music tracks. The SEL Premium R-Line trim offered a nine-speaker Fender audio system and Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation, adding to the Tiguan's tech appeal.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with standard driver assistance features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. However, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert were optional. Additional available features included a surround-view parking camera, traffic sign recognition, driver drowsiness monitoring, and a head-up display.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with the IQ Drive suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Starting with the SE trim, adaptive cruise control was added, while the SEL trim included lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist. The SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Tiguan's safety features were effective, though some, like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, had minor inconsistencies. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.