2021 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Subaru Outback had a familiar and comfortable interior, reminiscent of older Subaru models, but with a fresher design compared to the smaller Crosstrek. The base trim featured two 7-inch touchscreens, while higher trims boasted an 11.6-inch portrait display surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. The Onyx Edition XT test car had gray and black StarTex upholstery with lime green contrast stitching, adding a touch of flair. The exterior maintained a smooth and plain styling with high gray cladding on the wheel arches, sills, and bumpers, and a few chrome flourishes. The Outback's appearance remained largely unchanged, emphasizing its identity as a lifted wagon.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan had a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic with clean lines and balanced proportions. It was larger for its class, offering a roomy and accommodating interior with plenty of space for four people, and an optional third-row seat expanding capacity to seven. The interior featured modern geometric forms and a no-nonsense control layout, with shiny detailing, digital instrumentation, and a flush touchscreen infotainment system. However, the Tiguan had too much hard plastic and flimsy steering wheel stalks, detracting from its overall quality. The test vehicle, an SEL trim with 4Motion AWD, had a price of $35,040, including the destination charge.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base 2.5-liter flat-four engine produced 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, but struggled to move the vehicle's weight, especially when loaded. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) exacerbated the issue, making the Outback slow and noisy. The XT trim offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, providing a significant improvement in performance. The turbo engine was quieter, smoother, and more powerful, though it had slightly lower fuel economy at 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway compared to the base engine's 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. The Outback excelled in ride comfort and off-road capability, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and Subaru's electronically-variable AWD system.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan had a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 4Motion AWD system was optional on most models and standard on the SEL Premium R-Line. The engine provided adequate performance but suffered from turbo lag, making it feel breathless during passing maneuvers. The Tiguan's fuel economy was 25 mpg combined with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD, though real-world testing showed an average of 22.6 mpg. The Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience with light, responsive steering, a compliant ride, and nimble handling, though it struggled over sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks. The SUV was quiet and composed on the highway, making it suitable for long road trips.

The 2021 Subaru Outback had impressive ground clearance, allowing it to tackle rough terrain without the drawbacks of larger vehicles. It offered 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The interior provided ample headroom and legroom, comfortable seats, and excellent outward visibility. Storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and handy pockets in the front center console. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims. The Outback's standout feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, which could be easily swiveled and locked in place.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors, tall seating hip points, and adjustable front seats. The V-Tex leatherette upholstery and dual-zone climate control system added to the comfort. The back seat offered generous legroom, foot space, and air conditioning vents, making it suitable for tall passengers and reverse-facing child safety seats. The Tiguan had a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat and a usefully shaped cargo space with deep wells. Cargo volume ranged from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, depending on the presence of the third-row seat, and a maximum capacity of 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system had outdated graphics and typefaces, but it offered modern tech features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The single large screen was more cohesive and useful than the base model's dual-screen setup. Subaru EyeSight was standard on all trims, providing adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. However, the system relied solely on forward-looking cameras, which could be impeded in certain conditions, reducing its effectiveness.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim, offering 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 had some quirks, and the voice recognition technology was subpar. The SEL Premium R-Line trim had a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system, while other trims had a six-speaker system. The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line also featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation, providing an understated approach to technology and information display.

The 2021 Subaru Outback had a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was optional on Premium and standard on higher trims. Rear emergency braking and a driver-attention monitor were available on specific trims. The Outback earned a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, though it received four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and for the rollover test.

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. Adaptive cruise control was available starting with SE trim, and lane-keep assist was standard on SEL trim. The Tiguan's parking sensors and reversing camera provided additional safety features. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims, but NHTSA had not published complete crash-test results.