2020 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2021 Nissan Kicks

Volkswagen had completely overhauled the Tiguan for the 2018 model year, introducing an all-new second generation of its compact crossover SUV. This redesign addressed the original Tiguan’s biggest shortcoming—its diminutive size—and aimed to make it more competitively priced against rivals like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The result was a vehicle that maintained a stylish and conservatively German exterior, but showed some evidence of cost-cutting upon closer inspection.

The Tiguan’s exterior styling was contemporary Volkswagen, featuring clean and simple lines with a new flat logo on a horizontal grille that connected the headlights. Inside, however, the Tiguan’s interior was plain, with dull surfaces and hard black plastic. The cockpit was simple, bordering on boring, though it did feature an optional digital dashboard and a glass-covered touchscreen infotainment system that were visually appealing.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks saw its most significant changes on the exterior, adopting a bolder design more in line with the new faces of the 2021 Nissan Armada, forthcoming Nissan Ariya, and 2021 Nissan Rogue. The Kicks featured a snubbed but not blunt nose with a deep V-motion design, thinner and longer headlights, and a new bumper and LED taillight combination at the back. The top-tier Kicks SR trim level came with LED multi-reflector headlights and standard LED fog lights.

The Kicks also offered new paint options and a two-tone paint job that enhanced its upmarket look. The overall design emphasized the greenhouse of the car, making a bolder statement and giving the Kicks a style and substance that was uniquely its own. The Kicks SR trim included additional sporty features like LED light signature accents, black heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signals, and a rear roof-mounted spoiler.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine drove either the front or all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Tiguan’s powertrain offered a snappy throttle response with minimal turbo lag, but it was only moderately fleet of foot due to its larger size and weight, tipping the scales at 3,757 pounds for the front-drive model and 3,847 pounds for the AWD model.

The Tiguan’s handling was impacted by its larger size and longer wheelbase, making it less nimble than some competitors. However, its suspension was soft and provided a comfortable driving experience, even on rough roads. The Tiguan’s cabin was well insulated from wind noise, making it a quiet highway cruiser, though some road noise could filter through on rough surfaces.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came standard with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with Nissan’s Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. The Kicks’ electric power-assisted steering and front independent strut stabilizer bar suspension made it feel nimble and easy to handle, whether navigating highways, winding country roads, or city streets.

The Kicks’ power-to-weight ratio was adequate for its size, though it was not particularly zippy. The CVT could get noisy under heavy acceleration, but this was a common feature of many CVTs. The Kicks SR trim level included additional features like an integrated dynamic-control module, adaptive cruise control, and rear disc brakes for improved stopping power. The Kicks also boasted impressive fuel economy, with an EPA rating of 31 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 33 mpg combined.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan offered practicality with its second row of seats that could slide up to seven inches fore and aft, making the third row actually useful. The third row had enough legroom for shorter adults and was cozy for kids. Front-drive Tiguans came with the third row as standard, while AWD models were standard five-seaters with the third row available as an option.

The Tiguan’s split second-row rear seats folded flat, providing a cargo capacity of 65.7 cubic feet with the third row collapsed. Two-row Tiguans offered 73.5 cubic feet of cargo space, more than many competitors. The Tiguan’s front seats provided plenty of hip and shoulder room, and the abundant glass in its greenhouse made it feel roomier than its numbers suggested.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks made the most of its small size with easy-to-reach buttons and knobs throughout the cabin. It offered good small-item storage, easy-access USB ports, and multiple storage options for smartphones. The Kicks had best-in-class front seat legroom, though its hip room proportions made the front seats more compartmentalized for larger drivers. Adults could fit comfortably in the back seats, a rarity in the subcompact class.

The Kicks featured a D-shaped steering wheel, six-way adjustable driver’s seat, four-way adjustable front passenger seat, and 60/40 split-folding rear seat as standard. The available tonneau cover provided hidden storage, covering about two-thirds of the rear cargo area.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB II infotainment system, which was set to be replaced by MIB3 the following year. The current system was already one of the best on the market, with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display in the base S trim and an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen in higher trims. The Tiguan S had a single USB-C port, while higher trims had two USB-A ports and a wireless charging pad.

VW’s Digital Cockpit, available on top SEL trims, was a fully digital instrument panel that could be customized and reconfigured. The Tiguan also came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks offered a host of standard tech features, including a 7-inch infotainment touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, three USB ports, keyless entry, push-button start, and Easy Fill Tire Alert. The Kicks SV added features like Nissan Intelligent Key, automatic climate control, a 7-inch driver information screen, satellite radio, remote engine start, and a USB-C port.

The Kicks SR Premium Package included the class-exclusive Bose Personal Plus sound system, which used eight speakers and Bose signal processing to provide 360-degree sound. The Kicks also offered a surround-view monitor, a WiFi hot spot, and NissanConnect services for convenience and security.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. However, features like adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assistance and LED headlights with automatic high beams were reserved for the top SEL trim. VW’s Car-Net telematics package connected the vehicle to an owner’s smartphone or watch through an app, offering remote locking and unlocking, status checks, and vehicle location.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. The Kicks also had 10 airbags, a driver alertness monitor, and rear door alert as standard on the SV and SR trims. The 2020 Kicks received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and scored all Good marks in IIHS crashworthiness tests.