2021 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE had a mixed reception regarding its exterior design. While it featured an aggressive nose and a sloping, low hood, the design seemed to lose its appeal past the A-pillar, making it almost indistinguishable from its predecessor. The flat taillights and contoured rear helped mitigate its minivan-like tendencies, but it still lacked the pitch-perfect proportions seen in competitors like BMW, Audi, and Jaguar. The AMG trim added a sporty touch, but it still couldn't match the visual impact of rivals like the BMW X5 M or Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

However, the interior of the GLE was a different story. Mercedes made significant improvements, creating a masterpiece of quality, layout, colors, and textures. The red and black interior of the tested GLE Coupe was both loud and luxurious, surpassing even Porsche and Audi in opulence. The twin arching grab handles, LED lighting, and a mix of wood, metal, leather, and suede made the interior a delight to touch and operate. Despite a few flimsy components, the GLE exuded a sense of pampering, making it a standout in its class.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, on the other hand, was praised for its clean lines and balanced proportions. While some might have found its styling understated, it had a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic that was expected to age well. The Tiguan was also notably large for its class, offering a roomy and accommodating interior with plenty of space for four people, and the optional third-row seat expanded passenger capacity to seven, though it was best suited for children.

Inside, the Tiguan combined modern geometric forms with a no-nonsense control layout. The cabin featured shiny detailing, digital instrumentation, and a well-integrated touchscreen infotainment system. However, it fell short of the luxury seen in Audi models, with too much hard plastic and flimsy steering wheel stalks. The Tiguan's interior was functional and comfortable, but it lacked the premium feel of higher-end competitors.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled as a multi-purpose vehicle with a complex suspension and engine setup. The base GLE 350 featured a coil-sprung setup, while the GLE 450 offered AIRMATIC self-leveling air springs. The AMG models, like the GLE 53 Coupe, had an electric supercharger for instant throttle response and a sport-tuned version of AIRMATIC with Roll Stabilization and Active Curve systems. The GLE 580 and AMG GLE 63 S featured twin-turbo V8 engines with up to 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. Despite its size, the GLE handled like a smaller sedan and could tow up to 7,700 pounds. Fuel efficiency varied, with the GLE 450 returning 21/26/23 mpg and the AMG GLE 53 averaging 16 mpg.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels, with 4Motion AWD available as an option. The Tiguan's powertrain was adequate but suffered from turbo lag, making it feel breathless during passing maneuvers. The Tiguan returned 25 mpg in combined driving with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD, though real-world testing showed an average of 22.6 mpg. The Tiguan provided a pleasurable driving experience with light steering, a compliant ride, and refined braking action, though it struggled with sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks. It was quiet and composed on the highway, making it suitable for long road trips.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a spacious interior with optional third-row seating, allowing for up to seven passengers. The second-row seats had power controls for recline and fore-aft adjustments, and the third row was accessible via buttons at the rear doors. Cargo capacity was 34 cubic feet behind the second row and 75 cubic feet with all rows folded. The GLE Coupe, however, was limited to five passengers and had less cargo space, with 23 cubic feet behind the second row and 61 cubic feet with all rows folded. The new MBUX infotainment system improved usability with a single touchpad and simplified interface, though it required some setup before driving.

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, while the back seats provided generous legroom and foot space. 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, but the Tiguan offered practical features like a large panoramic sunroof and fabric-lined door panel bins.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a 12-inch touchscreen with Interior Assistant, allowing for gesture controls and customizable shortcuts. The AMG models included a Track Pace app for virtual pit crew functions and GPS lap timing. The GLE's infotainment system was user-friendly, with search bars and larger type for easy navigation. Additional features included a head-up display, ambient lighting with 64 colors, and a natural voice assistant that responded to "Mercedes." The GLE also offered semi-automated functionality for lane changes and curve navigation, making it one of the most technologically advanced SUVs in its class.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system, available starting with the SE trim. MIB3 featured an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing times, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system also included WiFi for up to four devices, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. However, the voice recognition technology was lacking, and the standard six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music. The SEL Premium R-Line trim offered a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system and Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation, providing a more advanced and enjoyable tech experience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, scoring top marks in six crash tests, for headlights, and for its standard forward emergency braking. The GLE also featured blind-spot monitoring, a driver attention monitor, and optional adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and evasive steering assist. Additional safety features included 360-degree cameras, Pre-Safe Sound, and Pre-Safe Impulse Side, which inflated the side bolsters during a side impact. The GLE's brakes were primed for sudden stops, and the stability control compensated for crosswinds.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with IQ Drive, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SE trim added adaptive cruise control, while the SEL trim included lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist. The SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights and front and rear parking sensors. The Tiguan's adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were effective but had some inconsistencies. The parking sensors were sensitive, and the reversing camera provided a clear view. The Tiguan also offered Car-Net connected services with automatic collision notification and Family Guardian alerts.