2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured clean lines and balanced proportions, which some might have found boring, but it had a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic. This design was likely to age well. The Tiguan was large for its class, nearly as big inside as a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento, offering a roomy and accommodating interior with plenty of space for four people, and the option to carry five or even seven with a small third-row seat.

Inside, the Tiguan combined modern geometric forms with a no-nonsense control layout, though the engine start button's location on the center console was unusual. The cabin featured shiny detailing, digital instrumentation, and a flush touchscreen infotainment system, but it had too much hard plastic to be mistaken for an Audi. The Tiguan was available in S, SE, and SEL trims, with sporty R-Line variants, and pricing ranged from $25,245 to $39,095, excluding a $1,195 destination charge. The test vehicle, an SEL trim with 4Motion AWD, cost $35,040.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid, introduced with a two-motor hybrid powertrain in 2020, retained the same styling for 2021. It looked similar to the standard gas-only variants, with "Hybrid" badges, blue Honda logos, and slight design tweaks like LED fog lights and a different rear bumper. Inside, it featured unique instrumentation for battery-charge status, power regeneration, and power distribution, with steering wheel paddles managing regenerative braking.

The CR-V Hybrid was available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, all with standard AWD. Pricing ranged from $30,560 to $36,350, a $1,200 premium over equivalent gas-only models. Upgrading to EX-L added leather upholstery, a better sound system, and more, while Touring trim included larger wheels, navigation, a premium sound system, and other features. The test vehicle, a Touring trim with extra-cost Platinum White Pearl paint, cost $37,920.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by 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. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels by default, with 4Motion AWD available for $1,400 on most models and standard on the SEL Premium R-Line. The powertrain was adequate but suffered from turbocharger lag, making the engine feel breathless during passing or freeway merging. The Tiguan's nearly 4,000-pound curb weight contributed to this perception.

The EPA rated the Tiguan at 25 mpg combined with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD, but testing showed an average of 22.6 mpg for the AWD model. Despite the powertrain's shortcomings, the Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience with light, responsive steering, a compliant ride, refined braking, and nimble handling. However, it struggled over sharp speed bumps and railroad tracks, and its tires lacked grip in corners. On the highway, the Tiguan was quiet and composed, making long road trips enjoyable.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid paired a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with an electric assist motor and a generator/starter motor, producing a total system output of 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of immediate torque. It featured three driving modes—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive—and three driver-selected modes—Econ, Sport, and EV. Power flowed to the rear wheels when necessary for added traction. The hybrid system added 194 pounds to the vehicle, improving weight distribution and maintaining 8.2 inches of ground clearance.

The CR-V Hybrid was quick off the line, had plenty of power, and offered a smooth ride with predictable handling. However, it returned 33.7 mpg during testing, falling short of the EPA rating of 38 mpg combined and the 39.7 mpg achieved by a RAV4 Hybrid. More city driving might have improved the result, but the RAV4 Hybrid didn't require special conditions to be efficient.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors, tall seating hip points, and adjustable front seats for proper support and visibility. The V-Tex leatherette upholstery mimicked real leather, and the dual-zone climate control was effective. The back seat offered excellent support, legroom, and foot space, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The Tiguan's panoramic sunroof was enjoyable, but storage space was limited. The 40/20/40-split folding rear seat allowed for versatile cargo carrying, with cargo volume ranging from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet maximum.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in carrying people and cargo. The front seats were supportive and comfortable, with the driver's seat offering 12-way power adjustment. Heated front seats and high-quality leather were standard, but the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seat provided ample space, with air conditioning vents, quick-charge USB ports, and a flat floor for three passengers. Interior storage was impressive, though the wireless smartphone charger took up space on the center console. Cargo space measured 33.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 68.7 cubic feet maximum, slightly less than the standard CR-V due to the battery pack.

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, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and Car-Net connected services. The system had some quirks, and the voice recognition technology was lacking. The standard six-speaker sound system struggled with bass, while the SEL Premium R-Line's nine-speaker Fender audio system was better. The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line also featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid's infotainment system, redesigned in 2017, felt outdated despite its large, flush surface and power/volume knob. The 7-inch touchscreen was small for the segment, and the lack of a tuning knob impacted user experience. The system was slow to start, and the voice-recognition technology was inadequate. The navigation map display was cluttered, and HondaLink connected services were minimal. The Touring trim's nine-speaker premium audio sounded good, and the system supported text messaging, SiriusXM, and Pandora.

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 trim added adaptive cruise control, SEL added lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, and SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were effective but had some inconsistencies. The Tiguan's 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.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid included Honda Sensing, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, Road Departure Mitigation, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. These systems worked smoothly and accurately, but the CR-V lacked automatic collision notification, SOS emergency calling, and safe teen driver settings. The CR-V Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.