2021 Subaru Ascent vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

When the 2021 Subaru Ascent was introduced, it filled a significant gap in Subaru's lineup, offering a three-row SUV that had been missing since the ill-fated Tribeca. The Ascent's design was a scaled-up version of Subaru's smaller models like the Forester and Outback, creating a familiar yet larger vehicle. Inside, the cabin mirrored other Subaru models, likely to foster a sense of continuity for brand loyalists. The Ascent came in four trims: Standard, Premium, Limited, and Touring, each adding more features and luxury as you moved up the line. The Standard trim was well-equipped with driver-assistance features, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, and tri-zone climate control. The Premium trim upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen and added features like stain-resistant upholstery and remote start. The Limited trim included push-button start and heated second-row seats, while the top-tier Touring trim offered ventilated front seats and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon stereo system.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, on the other hand, was praised for its clean lines and balanced proportions, offering a conservative yet upscale design that was expected to age well. The Tiguan was larger than its predecessor, nearly matching the interior space of larger SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe. This upsizing resulted in a roomy interior that could accommodate up to seven passengers with an optional third-row seat. The interior featured modern geometric forms and a no-nonsense control layout, although some found the placement of the engine start button odd. The Tiguan's cabin was dressed up with shiny detailing and a flush touchscreen display, but it still had too much hard plastic to be mistaken for a luxury vehicle. The Tiguan came in S, SE, and SEL trims, with two additional R-Line variants. Pricing ranged from $25,245 to $39,095, excluding a $1,195 destination charge.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. The Ascent's ride focused on comfort, making it responsive through corners and capable of handling bumps. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, standard all-wheel drive, and Subaru’s X-Mode system, the Ascent was well-suited for snowy conditions and light off-roading. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds and included a standard Trailer Stability Assist.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generated 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine was mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with power sent to the front wheels by default. The 4Motion AWD system was a $1,400 option on most models and standard on the SEL Premium R-Line. The Tiguan's engine suffered from turbo lag, making it feel sluggish in some driving situations. The SUV's nearly 4,000-pound curb weight contributed to this perception of lethargy. The Tiguan returned 25 mpg in combined driving with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD, but real-world testing showed an average of 22.6 mpg. Despite its engine's shortcomings, the Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience with light, responsive steering, a compliant ride, and refined braking action. However, it struggled with sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks, and its tires gave up grip early in corners.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent provided 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expanding to 47.5 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and up to 86.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. While this was generous, some rivals offered more cargo space. The Ascent came standard with a power liftgate but lacked a hands-free option. It could seat up to eight passengers in its base configuration, with the option for second-row captain's chairs reducing capacity to seven. The first two rows were spacious, while the third row was better suited for children on longer trips. The Ascent featured 19 cupholders and numerous trays and cubbies for gear.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in comfort, with large doors and tall seating hip points making entry and exit easy. The front seats offered a wide range of adjustments, and the V-Tex leatherette upholstery mimicked real leather well. The back seat provided excellent support and generous legroom, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for passengers. The Tiguan's panoramic sunroof was a highlight, and the 40/20/40-split folding rear seat allowed for flexible cargo and passenger arrangements. Cargo volume ranged from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, depending on whether the SUV had the optional third-row seat. Maximum capacity ranged from 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent featured the StarLink infotainment system with logical menu layouts and large icons. Both available touchscreens were backed by hard buttons and dials, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Ascent came with two front USB ports, two second-row USB ports, satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. Optional tech features included third-row USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon stereo.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim. MIB3 featured an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing, and expanded features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi for up to four devices, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The system had some quirks, and the voice recognition technology was lacking. The standard six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music, while the SEL Premium R-Line's nine-speaker Fender audio system was a significant upgrade. The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line also featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ thanks to its crash test results and comprehensive EyeSight suite of driver-assistance features. EyeSight included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning. The Ascent also gained standard automatic high beams and steering-responsive headlights for 2021. Optional safety features included reverse automatic emergency braking, rain-sensing windshield wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

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. Starting with SE trim, the Tiguan added adaptive cruise control, while the SEL 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 adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were effective but had some inconsistencies. The SUV also included Car-Net connected services with features like automatic collision notification and Family Guardian alerts. The Tiguan earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.