2021 Subaru Outback vs 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan, redesigned in 2018, presented a stylish yet conservative German aesthetic. Its exterior featured clean lines and a horizontal grille adorned with VW's new flat logo, connecting the headlights. The design was straightforward, lacking any adventurous or aggressive elements, which appealed to those who preferred a classic car look. However, the interior did not match the exterior's appeal, as it was characterized by plain and dull surfaces, with hard black plastic that seemed a step down from VW's previous high standards. The focus was on electronics, with an optional digital dashboard and a glass-covered touchscreen infotainment system that stood out as the interior's highlight.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for 2020, maintained a familiar and comfortable feel reminiscent of older models. While the base trim had a less appealing dual-screen setup, higher trims featured an 11.6-inch portrait display that was bright and sharp. The interior quality was evident, with substantial materials and comfortable seating, especially in the Limited and Touring trims. The Outback's exterior was practical, with high gray cladding and smooth styling, maintaining a balance of stability and simplicity. It offered a lifted wagon design, making it a versatile alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs.

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 was tuned for torque, providing a snappy throttle response with minimal turbo lag. However, the Tiguan's larger size and weight, ranging from 3,757 to 3,847 pounds, made it only moderately quick. The eight-speed automatic transmission shifted smoothly, but highway passing required patience. The Tiguan's handling was impacted by its long wheelbase, resulting in a less nimble feel. Its suspension offered a comfortable ride, and the drive-mode selector allowed for off-road settings, though the steering remained light even in sport mode.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base engine, a 2.5-liter flat-four, produced 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. This engine struggled with the Outback's weight, especially when fully loaded, resulting in slow and noisy performance. The XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, significantly improving performance. The Outback's handling was designed for comfort, with long-travel springs and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it capable on rough roads. Subaru's AWD system was proactive, always driving all four wheels and offering X-Mode for tougher conditions, making the Outback more proficient off-road than many competitors.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in practicality, with a second row of seats that could slide up to seven inches, making the third row more usable. While the third row was not spacious, it offered enough legroom for shorter adults and children. Front-drive models included the third row as standard, while AWD models offered it as an option. The Tiguan's cargo capacity was impressive, with up to 73.5 cubic feet available in two-row models. The driver's seat provided a roomy feel, with abundant glass and a seating position that enhanced the sense of space.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The cargo area was wide and flat, with ample headroom and legroom in all seating positions. Visibility was excellent, thanks to thin pillars and a low shoulder height. Storage options were plentiful, with large map pockets and bottle holders in each door. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only standard on higher trims. The Outback's standout feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, offering convenience and cost savings.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB II infotainment system, which was set to be replaced by MIB3 in the following year. Despite this, the current system was highly regarded, with an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen available on higher trims. The system was responsive and user-friendly, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Digital Cockpit, available on top trims, offered a customizable digital instrument panel. The Tiguan also included a WiFi hotspot and Bluetooth connectivity.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared dated, with graphics reminiscent of older technology. However, it included modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Subaru EyeSight was standard, offering adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The system relied on cameras rather than radar, which could impact performance in certain conditions. The optional navigation system was more modern-looking, and the single large screen on higher trims was more cohesive and useful than the dual-screen setup on the base model.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan improved its standard safety package with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. However, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance were reserved for the top SEL trim. VW's Car-Net telematics package offered remote access and monitoring features. The Tiguan received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for models with LED headlights, though most models had halogen headlights rated poorly.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard airbags and available driver assists. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims. The Outback earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with top ratings in crash tests and forward emergency braking. The NHTSA awarded the Outback five stars overall, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and rollover test.