2021 INFINITI QX50 vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured clean lines and balanced proportions, offering a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic. While some might have found its understated styling boring, it was designed to age well. The Tiguan was notably large for its class, nearly as spacious inside as a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento, thanks to its long-wheelbase version. This upsizing resulted in a roomy interior with ample space for four people, and the optional third-row seat expanded capacity to seven, though it was best suited for children. The interior combined modern geometric forms with a no-nonsense control layout, though it had some hard plastic and flimsy steering wheel stalks. The Tiguan was available in S, SE, and SEL trims, with sporty R-Line variants, and pricing ranged from $25,245 to $39,095.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 stood out in the luxury compact crossover segment with its distinctive design and engineering, particularly its VC-Turbo engine. The QX50's large honeycomb grille and athletic hood bulges gave it a sporty appearance, further emphasized by the driver's view. The rear featured a unique chrome strip, adding character. The panoramic moonroof brightened the cabin and offered stunning views. However, thick B-pillars and a short rear window slightly hindered visibility. The Sensory AWD test vehicle had attractive 20-inch alloy wheels and all-season tires. Inside, the QX50 boasted soft-touch materials, aluminum trim, and a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel. The front seats offered heating and cooling, and the interior controls were user-friendly, though the gear shift lever was somewhat unconventional.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, sent power to the front wheels by default, with 4Motion AWD available as an option. The powertrain was adequate but suffered from turbo lag, making it feel breathless during passing maneuvers. The Tiguan's nearly 4,000-pound curb weight contributed to this perception. 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. Despite its powertrain limitations, the Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience with light, responsive steering, a compliant ride, and nimble handling. 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 long road trips enjoyable.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The VC-Turbo engine adjusted the compression ratio for a balance of power and efficiency. While the engine's operation was smooth and quiet, the CVT had a reputation for droning and being unrefined. However, Infiniti's fine-tuning made the CVT more acceptable. The QX50 offered FWD as standard, with AWD available for an additional cost. The test model's AWD provided reassurance during a rainy, construction-laden drive. The QX50 also had a drive mode selector with Standard, Sport, Eco, and Personal modes. Sport mode enhanced responsiveness, while Eco mode prioritized fuel efficiency but felt sluggish. Overall, the QX50's powertrain delivered a composed and confident driving experience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors, tall seating hip points, and adjustable front seats for excellent support and visibility. The V-Tex leatherette upholstery and dual-zone climate control added to the comfort. The back seat offered generous legroom and foot space, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for passengers. The panoramic sunroof was a highlight, though storage space was limited. The Tiguan's 40/20/40-split folding rear seat allowed for versatile cargo configurations, 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 INFINITI QX50 felt spacious inside, with ample hip, shoulder, and headroom, even with the panoramic moonroof. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed 38.7 inches of legroom, and the sliding second-row seats allowed for flexible legroom or cargo space. The cargo area offered 31.1 cubic feet of space behind the second row, expanding to 64.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. The optional Cargo package added practical features for transporting items. The QX50 also provided plenty of cupholders, storage bins, and charging options, including USB ports and a 12-volt outlet.

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 voice recognition technology was lacking. The standard six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music, while the SEL Premium R-Line's nine-speaker Fender audio system was a better option. The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims also featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 came with the InTouch infotainment system on Essential and higher trims, featuring dual display screens (8-inch upper and 7-inch lower), voice recognition, and a suite of connected services. Pairing a smartphone via Bluetooth was easy, and Apple CarPlay integration worked seamlessly. The 16-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system delivered excellent sound quality. The QX50 also had Infiniti's Around View Monitor with front and rear sonar and moving-object detection, making parking easier. ProPilot Assist, available on all but the base trim, combined adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance for a glimpse of autonomous driving.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came 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. SE trim added adaptive cruise control, while SEL included lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist. The SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights and front and rear parking sensors. 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 INFINITI QX50 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including blind-spot warning, predictive forward-collision warning, forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and more. Lane-departure prevention and blind-spot intervention were standard on all but the base trim, and traffic sign recognition was included on Essential and higher trims. The QX50 received four out of five stars for rollover resistance from the NHTSA and Good ratings from the IIHS for moderate overlap front and side crash protection. The QX50 also earned a Superior rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention.