2021 Nissan Murano vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan had a design that some might have found boring, but its clean lines and balanced proportions offered a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic. It was large 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, accommodating up to seven passengers with an optional third-row seat, though it was best suited for children. The cabin featured modern geometric forms and a no-nonsense control layout, with some shiny detailing and a flush touchscreen display. However, it had too much hard plastic to be mistaken for an Audi, and the steering wheel stalks felt flimsy.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Murano had a design that was once cutting-edge but had become more mainstream. Its L-shaped LED headlights and contoured front end were no longer unique, but the interior's conservative design was practical and comfort-focused. The Murano's cabin had all controls in intuitive locations, minimizing the learning curve. It offered trims ranging from S to Platinum, with the base S trim including features like 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added more luxury features, such as leather upholstery, heated seats, and a Bose premium stereo system.

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 an optional 4Motion AWD system. The powertrain was adequate but suffered from turbo lag, making it feel breathless during high-speed 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, but 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 steering, a compliant ride, and nimble handling, though it struggled over sharp speed bumps and railroad tracks.

The 2021 Nissan Murano featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It came with standard FWD and optional AWD. The V6 provided strong low-speed acceleration, making it great for city driving, but the CVT dulled its power at higher speeds. The Murano excelled in comfort, offering a refined ride that handled corners well and absorbed road bumps effectively. However, its towing capacity was limited to 1,500 pounds, which was lower than many midsize and even some compact SUVs.

Inside the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, comfort was a priority. Large doors and tall seating made entry and exit easy, and the front seats offered a wide range of adjustments. The back seat provided excellent support, legroom, and foot space, with air conditioning vents and USB ports for passengers. The Tiguan's cargo space varied depending on the presence of a third-row seat, ranging from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 73.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. Storage space was somewhat limited, but the panoramic sunroof and 40/20/40-split folding rear seat added versatility.

The 2021 Nissan Murano offered up to 67 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 32.1 cubic feet with the seats in use. While other two-row SUVs provided more cargo space, the Murano compensated with ease of use, featuring a traditional shifter design and a center console with ample storage. The Murano excelled in passenger comfort, with generous headroom and legroom in both rows and partially reclining second-row seats. The SL and Platinum trims included a hands-free power liftgate for added convenience.

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, and SiriusXM 360L. However, the system had some quirks, and the standard six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music. The SEL Premium R-Line trim offered a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system and Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation, providing a more advanced tech experience.

The 2021 Nissan Murano came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a sensible menu layout and hard buttons for easy navigation. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features. Higher trims offered an 11-speaker Bose premium stereo system and navigation. The Murano's infotainment system was user-friendly, making it easy to access connected smartphone apps.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped 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. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS for the SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims, thanks to their high-performing LED headlights.

The 2021 Nissan Murano featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included reverse automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams as standard. Additional safety features like a surround-view parking monitor, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and front-and-rear parking sensors were available on higher trims.