2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek was a testament to Subaru's strategy of transforming the Impreza hatchback into a crossover with rugged looks, standard all-wheel drive, and a higher driving position. This approach mirrored the success of the larger Outback, which had outlasted many station wagons in the U.S. market. The Crosstrek distinguished itself from the Impreza with black body cladding, model-specific 17-inch wheels, and a taller ride height, offering 8.7 inches of ground clearance. These changes gave the Crosstrek an SUV-like appearance and more character than the base Impreza hatch. The interior, however, remained largely unchanged from the Impreza, with a functional but somewhat plain design. The Sport trim added some flair with Plasma Yellow Pearl accents, although they clashed with the exterior color. Despite these quirks, the Crosstrek's design was well-received for its vibrant color options and overall refinement.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan boasted clean lines and balanced proportions, offering a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic. Its understated styling might have been perceived as boring by some, but it was designed to age gracefully. The Tiguan was notably large for its class, with 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 materials, like hard plastics and flimsy steering wheel stalks, detracted from its premium feel. The Tiguan's design was complemented by shiny detailing, digital instrumentation, and a well-integrated touchscreen infotainment system. Despite its size, the Tiguan maintained a nimble and maneuverable quality, making it suitable for urban and suburban driving.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered two gasoline powertrain options. The Sport and Limited trims featured a new 2.5-liter boxer-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The base and Premium trims continued with the 2.0-liter boxer-four, delivering 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. The Crosstrek's boxer engine, a Subaru trademark, provided a lower center of gravity, enhancing handling. However, the SUV-like stance negated some of this benefit. A six-speed manual transmission was standard on Base and Premium trims, while a CVT was optional. The Sport and Limited trims were CVT-only, offering the larger engine. All trims came with standard AWD, featuring torque vectoring and X-Mode for loose surfaces. Despite its SUV-like features, the Crosstrek was more suited for pavement, offering predictable handling and a comfortable ride. The new 2.5-liter engine provided adequate acceleration, though the CVT's droning was noticeable.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels, with 4Motion AWD available as an option. The powertrain was adequate but suffered from turbocharger lag, making the Tiguan feel breathless during acceleration. The SUV's nearly 4,000-pound curb weight contributed to this perception. The Tiguan's fuel economy was rated at 25 mpg combined with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD, though real-world testing showed an average of 22.6 mpg. Despite these drawbacks, the Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience with light steering, a compliant ride, and nimble handling. However, its suspension struggled over sharp bumps, and the tires lacked grip in corners. On the highway, the Tiguan was quiet and composed, making it suitable for long road trips.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek shared its front and rear legroom with the Impreza hatchback, offering slightly more rear headroom. With 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 55.3 cubic feet with them folded, the Crosstrek was competitive in passenger space but lagged behind some rivals in cargo capacity. The CVT-equipped models featured a rear-seat reminder system, though its effectiveness was debatable. Up front, the Crosstrek provided a cubby hole with USB and auxiliary ports, but rear-seat passengers had limited access to USB ports. Storage space was minimal, with decent-sized bottle holders in the doors. The driving position was higher than the Impreza's, but visibility was good, thanks to large side windows.

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 the V-Tex leatherette upholstery mimicked real leather. The back seat provided excellent support, generous legroom, and air conditioning vents. The Tiguan's panoramic sunroof was a highlight, though storage space was limited. The 40/20/40-split folding rear seat allowed for versatile cargo arrangements, with cargo volume ranging from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, depending on the presence of a third-row seat. Maximum capacity ranged from 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek featured the Starlink infotainment system with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Premium and Sport trims added WiFi, SiriusXM, and a CD player. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation was standard on the Limited trim and optional on lower trims. The Crosstrek's infotainment system was user-friendly, with large analog knobs and buttons for essential functions. The EyeSight driver-assistance features were controlled via chunky steering wheel buttons, ensuring ease of use.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system, available from the SE trim. It featured an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, WiFi, SiriusXM 360L, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The system offered a range of Car-Net connected services, including remote engine starting and Family Guardian settings. While the MIB3 system was an improvement, it had some quirks, and the voice recognition technology was lacking. The SEL Premium R-Line trim featured a nine-speaker Fender audio system, while other trims had a six-speaker setup. The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line also included Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The IIHS awarded the 2020 model a "Top Safety Pick" rating, applicable to 2021 models with optional EyeSight features and Steering Responsive Headlights. EyeSight offered adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The system's cameras were well-protected but had limitations in certain conditions.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came with IQ Drive, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. SE trims and above added adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high beams and parking sensors. The Tiguan's adaptive cruise control was smooth but slow to react in certain situations. The parking sensors were sensitive, and the reversing camera provided a clear view. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.