2026 Land Rover Defender vs 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

The all-new 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan corrects the last generation's user interface issues while making incremental improvements throughout the rest of the vehicle. The company’s best-selling model in North America easily meets expectations for a compact SUV, and is the only entrant with that German look and feel, though otherwise, it doesn't distinguish itself from the rest of the pack.

Verdict: The new Tiguan is a handsome crossover and the only German option in the sub-luxury segment. However, in amid an incredibly competitive field, the redesigned Tiguan does too little to separate itself from the crowd.

As the rest of the lineup has trended toward luxury, the Land Rover Defender has stayed true to the brand’s roots of tough off-roaders ideal for the military and farmers alike. That’s mainly because Land Rover put off updates for decades, but a redesigned Defender that’s more passenger car than farm implement arrived for 2020, bringing the nameplate back to the U.S. Changes for 2026 include subtle styling changes, a larger touchscreen, and new color and accessory options.

Verdict: The Defender offers an unmatched combination of off-road capability and everyday civility.