2021 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured clean lines and balanced proportions, offering a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic. Despite its understated styling, the Tiguan's design was appreciated for its potential to age well. It was notably large for its class, nearly matching the interior space of a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento. The second-generation model corrected the size issues of its predecessor, providing a roomy and accommodating interior with optional third-row seating for up to seven passengers, though the third row was best suited for children.

Inside, the Tiguan combined modern geometric forms with a no-nonsense control layout, typical of German automakers. The interior was dressed up with shiny detailing, digital instrumentation, and a flush touchscreen infotainment system. However, it fell short of luxury, with too much hard plastic and flimsy steering wheel stalks. The Tiguan was available in S, SE, and SEL trims, with sporty R-Line variants. Pricing ranged from $25,245 to $39,095, excluding a $1,195 destination charge. The test vehicle, an SEL trim with 4Motion AWD, was priced at $35,040.

The 2021 Honda CR-V, while not a standout in terms of exterior design, offered a practical and functional look similar to other compact crossovers. Its styling was nearly identical to competitors, with minor differentiating details like the grille and chromed plastic features. The CR-V was available in eight colors, though most were shades of gray, black, or white, with vibrant options limited to higher trims. The interior featured black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, with wood panels and chrome accents in higher trims. The seats had a modern, angular design, providing a more contemporary look compared to some competitors.

The CR-V's interior space was generous, with 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The cargo area was accessible via a manual tailgate on lower trims, a power tailgate on the EX-L, and a hands-free version on the Touring trim. Roof rails were standard only on the top Touring trim. Overall, the CR-V's design prioritized functionality and comfort, making it a practical choice for families.

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. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, driving the front wheels by default, with 4Motion AWD available as a $1,400 option on most models and standard on the SEL Premium R-Line. The powertrain was adequate but suffered from turbo lag, making acceleration feel delayed. The Tiguan's nearly 4,000-pound curb weight contributed to a perception of lethargy during passing maneuvers.

The Tiguan's fuel economy was rated by the EPA at 25 mpg combined for FWD models and 24 mpg for AWD models. During testing, the AWD model averaged 22.6 mpg. Despite its powertrain's shortcomings, the Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience with light, responsive steering, a compliant ride, and refined braking. However, it struggled with sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks, and its tires lacked grip in corners. On the highway, the Tiguan was quiet and composed, making it suitable for long road trips.

The 2021 Honda CR-V featured a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all trims, with a 0-60 mph time of about 7.8 seconds. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which provided smooth but uninspiring acceleration. The CR-V's drivetrain was less engaging compared to competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, which offered conventional automatic transmissions with sport modes. The CR-V came standard with FWD, with AWD available as an option, except for the Subaru Forester, which offered standard AWD.

The CR-V's suspension setup included a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear, similar to other vehicles in its class. Handling and ride quality were decent, with no real surprises. The CR-V was designed for smooth, steady acceleration and predictable cornering, making it a reliable choice for daily driving.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors, tall seating hip points, and a wide range of front seat adjustments. The V-Tex leatherette upholstery mimicked real leather, and the dual-zone climate control system was effective. The back seat offered excellent support, generous legroom, and foot space, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for passengers. The Tiguan's panoramic sunroof was a highlight, though storage space was limited. The 40/20/40-split folding rear seat allowed for flexible cargo and passenger arrangements, with cargo volume ranging from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 73.5 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed to fit five people comfortably and carry their gear. It offered 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The cargo area was accessible via a manual tailgate on lower trims, a power tailgate on the EX-L, and a hands-free version on the Touring trim. Roof rails were standard only on the top Touring trim. The CR-V's interior was practical and functional, with ample space for passengers and cargo, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim, featuring 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 standard six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music. The SEL Premium R-Line featured a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system. Both the SEL and SEL Premium R-Line had Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation, offering an understated approach to technology and information display.

The 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim had a 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity, while other trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Special Edition and EX trims had a 180-watt audio system with six speakers, the EX-L added two more speakers, and the Touring trim had a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. From the EX trim onward, the CR-V included Sirius XM and HD radio, with satellite navigation available only on the Touring trim. Charging ports were plentiful, with USB ports in the front and second rows, and the Touring trim added a wireless phone charger.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with the IQ Drive suite 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 standard from the SE trim, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist was added on the SEL, and automatic high-beam headlights were included on the SEL Premium R-Line. The Tiguan's safety features were effective but had some inconsistencies, such as the adaptive cruise control's slow response and the lane-keep assist's occasional inconsistency. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. However, it did not achieve the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating due to lower scores in the headlight evaluation and updated side crash test. The CR-V's LATCH child safety seat anchoring system received an "Acceptable" rating. Honda's approach to safety was commendable, with the Honda Sensing system standard across all trims, including features like a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard from the EX trim onward.