2021 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured clean lines and balanced proportions, which some might have found boring, but others appreciated for its conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic. It was a large SUV for its class, nearly as spacious inside as a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento, thanks to its long-wheelbase version. The interior was roomy and accommodating, with optional third-row seating for up to seven passengers, though the third row was best suited for children. The cabin combined modern geometric forms with a no-nonsense control layout, though it had more hard plastic than an Audi and somewhat flimsy steering wheel stalks. Trim levels ranged from S to SEL Premium R-Line, with prices between $25,245 and $39,095, excluding destination charges.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, on the other hand, offered a sense of luxury that belied its price tag. Available with two new gasoline engines and a gas-electric hybrid powertrain, the Santa Fe came in SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy trims for gas models, and Blue, SEL Premium, and Limited trims for hybrids. Prices ranged from $26,850 to $39,950, with AWD standard on hybrids and optional on gas models. The Santa Fe featured a redesigned front end, new wheel designs, and a bridge-style center console with electronic transmission controls. The Calligraphy trim, in particular, exuded quality with premium leather, a suede-like headliner, and a panoramic sunroof. The exterior design, however, was an acquired taste, with some discordant asymmetry.

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, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, sent power to the front wheels by default, with 4Motion AWD available for an additional $1,400 on most models. While the powertrain was adequate, it suffered from turbocharger lag, making the Tiguan feel breathless during passing maneuvers or when merging onto highways. The Tiguan's nearly 4,000-pound curb weight contributed to this perception of lethargy. The EPA rated the Tiguan at 25 mpg combined for FWD and 24 mpg for AWD, though real-world testing showed an average of 22.6 mpg for the AWD model. Despite its powertrain shortcomings, 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 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered three new powertrains. The SE and SEL trims came with a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Santa Fe Hybrid featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, a starter/generator, an electric drive motor, and a six-speed automatic transmission, producing a combined 226 horsepower. The Limited and Calligraphy trims boasted a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed wet-plate dual-clutch transmission. The Santa Fe offered Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with the Smart mode prioritizing fuel efficiency. The turbocharged engine provided impressive performance, with the EPA rating both the turbo and standard engines at 24 mpg combined for AWD models. Real-world testing showed an average of 22.4 mpg. The Santa Fe's added structural rigidity, improved braking system, and refined handling made it a significantly better-driving SUV for 2021.

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 and dual-zone climate control system added to the comfort. 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 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 Hyundai Santa Fe, without a third-row seat, offered ample passenger room and comfort. All trims featured dual-zone automatic climate control, with stain-resistant fabric for cloth seats and leather available for higher trims. The Calligraphy trim stood out with premium Nappa leather and a suede-like headliner. The Santa Fe provided a comfortable driving position, with heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel in higher trims. The rear seat was spacious and comfortable, with air-conditioning vents, USB ports, and rear side-window sunshades. The Santa Fe's "smart" hands-free power liftgate revealed 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim, offering an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi for up to four devices, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The system included Car-Net connected services with remote engine starting, automatic crash notification, and Family Guardian safe teen driving settings. However, the voice recognition technology and standard six-speaker sound system were subpar. The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation, with the latter also offering a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy was loaded with technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a surround-view camera system, and an 8.5-inch color head-up display. The basic 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 10.25-inch touchscreen added upgraded voice-recognition technology and enhanced Blue Link connected services. The 12-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system with Clari-Fi digital music restoration technology was available with the larger screen. Blue Link provided a range of connected services, including remote engine start and climate control adjustment. The Santa Fe also offered Digital Key and Remote Smart Parking Assist, though it lacked a WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped 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 standard starting with SE trim, while the SEL added lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist. The SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights and front and rear parking sensors. The Tiguan's adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were effective but had some inconsistencies. The SUV also featured a standard reversing camera and optional top-down surround-view camera. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS for SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered an impressive array of safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning assistance. Safe Exit Assist used blind-spot monitoring sensors to warn occupants of approaching vehicles or cyclists, and the rear doors could override passenger action using child-safe door locks. The Santa Fe also featured a rear-occupant alert system, with an ultrasonic version available for higher trims. The Blind-Spot View Monitor displayed a video view within the digital instrument cluster when the turn signal was active. Highway Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering and lane-following technologies. The Santa Fe earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS for Limited and Calligraphy trims with LED projector headlights.