2021 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

Toyota designed the 2021 RAV4 with a rugged and traditional SUV look to attract buyers interested in style. The RAV4's boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and a scowling front end were in stark contrast to previous generations and most other compact crossovers in the market. This exterior was aggressive for a family car and made the RAV4 stand out, fostering the perception that it was more than just an ordinary vehicle. Underneath the stylish exterior, the RAV4 was built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, which was a common foundation for many Toyota models, resulting in a vehicle with the guts of a sedan but the appearance of a rugged SUV.

Toyota offered variations such as the RAV4 Adventure with a retro Ice Edge roof, orange interior accents, and the TRD Off-Road with matte black wheels, LED fog lights, dark gray exterior trim, and red interior accents. Inside, the RAV4 featured functional yet rugged touches like large rubberized knobs and door handles. While the material quality was good on lower trims, it didn't improve significantly with higher prices. The TRD Off-Road model had SofTex upholstery, touted as lighter and more durable than leather, which suited the car's outdoorsy character.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan boasted a clean and timeless design with balanced proportions. Some may have found its styling understated or boring, but it possessed a conservative, upscale aesthetic that would age well. Volkswagen's efforts to correct the size issue from the first-generation Tiguan resulted in a spacious second-generation model nearly as big inside as the Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento. This larger size translated to a roomy interior, comfortably seating four to seven people, though the optional third-row seat was best suited for children in AWD models.

Volkswagen’s interior combined modern geometric forms with a functional layout, though the engine start button's placement on the center console felt unusual. The cabin featured shiny detailing, digital instrumentation, and an integrated touchscreen infotainment system. However, abundant hard plastic and flimsy steering wheel stalks diminished its appeal compared to luxury SUV counterparts.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a sole gasoline engine option: the "Dynamic Force" 2.5-liter four-cylinder generating 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, this engine achieved an impressive 40% thermal efficiency. Despite its racing-esque characteristics and willingness to rev, the transmission was lackluster, hesitant to shift, and slow when it did. The steering was responsive but lacked feedback, and the so-called "Sport" driving mode only added artificial weight. For those seeking more power and refinement, the RAV4 Hybrid with 219 horsepower or the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid with 302 horsepower were better options.

On the highway, the RAV4 performed well, offering low cabin noise and a comfortable suspension. However, Toyota emphasized off-road capability, giving the Adventure and TRD Off-Road models a torque-vectoring rear axle and an 8.6-inch ground clearance. The TRD Off-Road also featured specific suspension tuning and all-terrain tires, though it lacked serious off-road features like a low range or locking differentials. With a 3,500-pound towing capacity, the Adventure and TRD Off-Road models outperformed the standard 1,500 pounds towing capacity of base models.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower at 4,360 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, this engine powered the front wheels by default, with 4Motion AWD available for an additional cost or standard on some trims. The engine was adequate but had noticeable turbo lag, often feeling breathless in situations demanding quick power. Despite EPA ratings of 25 mpg combined for FWD and 24 mpg for AWD, real-world testing averaged only 22.6 mpg.

The Tiguan delivered a pleasant driving experience overall, with light yet responsive steering, smooth ride quality, and refined braking. However, it struggled over sharper obstacles and felt unrefined on curvier roads with noticeable body roll and early tire grip loss. Despite these drawbacks, the Tiguan excelled on the highway, offering a quiet and composed ride conducive to comfortable long trips.

The Toyota RAV4 provided a tall, upright roofline offering good headroom in both rows and decent outward visibility. However, legroom was slightly behind competitors. The front seats in the TRD Off-Road model were extremely comfortable, but the rear seats had hard, flat cushions, making long trips less appealing. The RAV4 lacked sliding rear seats, unlike some rivals. Cargo space was 37.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place, offering a wide loading aperture but a higher lip than the Honda CR-V.

The Tiguan excelled in comfort with large doors, tall seating points, and easily adjustable front seats for excellent visibility. The V-Tex leatherette upholstery mimicked real leather, complemented by an effective dual-zone climate control system. Back-seat space was generous, providing ample room and support, especially for tall passengers or parents with reverse-facing child seats. The 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat could accommodate long items while carrying four passengers. Cargo space varied based on the third-row seat, ranging from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row. Maximum capacity spanned from 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet, offering a versatile and roomy space.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 featured standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Most trims had a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Limited trim got an 8-inch screen, and the RAV4 Prime offered a 9-inch screen. Five USB ports were available, along with an optional JBL premium audio system. While intuitive and easy to use, the infotainment system lacked exciting features and wasn't as advanced as some competitors.

The Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing, and expanded functionalities. Highlights included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi capability, SiriusXM 360L, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and a suite of Car-Net connected services. Despite offering an improved system, some interface quirks and inadequate voice recognition detracted from the experience. Lower trims had a six-speaker sound system, which struggled with excessive bass, while the top trims enjoyed a superior nine-speaker Fender audio system. The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims also featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation for a modern tech experience.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, achieving top scores in all crash tests and front-crash prevention. The only drawback was mixed headlight scores, preventing the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating. NHTSA awarded the RAV4 a five-star overall rating. The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 bundle included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and more. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic braking, park assist, and a 360-degree camera system.

Volkswagen equipped every Tiguan with its IQ Drive suite of advanced driving aids, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and parking sensors. During tests, adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist showed reasonable performance but with occasional inconsistencies. The blind-spot warning indicator was highly noticeable, enhancing safety. The Tiguan also offered Car-Net connected services with features like automatic collision notification and Family Guardian alerts. The IIHS granted the 2021 Tiguan a "Top Safety Pick" rating for the SEL and higher trims, thanks to superior LED headlights. NHTSA had not published complete crash test results for the Tiguan.