2021 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport brought a much-anticipated retro-modern aesthetic that harkened back to the days of the original Bronco models from 1966 to 1996. Ford managed to capture the rugged essence of its bigger sibling, the Bronco, albeit in a more suburban-friendly unibody crossover package. Characterized by its iconic bold white "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, the vehicle made a strong visual statement. The front overhang was notably short, which enhanced its approach angle significantly, a key feature for any off-road adventure. Tall fender wells and the tucked-in body sides minimized snagging on trail obstructions. The Bronco Sport’s various wheel configurations, ranging from 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels to 18-inch machined-face aluminum Ebony Black-painted wheels, added to its versatile appeal, ensuring both style and functionality.

Inside, the Bronco Sport's cabin bore a rugged yet uncluttered design, seeking to avoid overt statements while providing practical storage solutions. The center stack featured several open storage cubbies, crowned by an 8-inch infotainment screen. The rotary gear selector and dual cupholders in the center console offered a practical, user-friendly layout. Upholstery options ranged from basic cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats, with the high-end First Edition offering premium Navy Pier Leather power front seats.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan employed a more conservative, timeless design ethos. The VW Tiguan balanced its understated styling with a touch of upscale appeal, promising longevity in its aesthetic appeal. Being on the larger side of the compact SUV spectrum, the Tiguan offered external dimensions almost comparable to mid-sized SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento. Its larger size enabled a spacious, accommodating interior capable of fitting up to seven passengers with the optional third-row seat, though this third row was best suited for children.

Volkswagen’s meticulous attention to geometric interior forms and a no-nonsense control layout gave the Tiguan a high-end feel despite an abundance of hard plastics. Features such as the optional panoramic sunroof added an element of openness to the cabin. Its seating, especially at the front, offered a wide range of adjustments to ensure comfort and excellent outward visibility, while the second row provided commendable legroom and foot space. The rear cargo area was designed with user convenience in mind, featuring roomy wells and a 40/20/40-split folding seat for versatility.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport impressed with its off-road capabilities, due in part to its two engine offerings. The base 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder EcoBoost engine cranked out 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque, adequate for day-to-day commuting. However, the 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the Badlands and First Edition trims truly exemplified the Bronco Sport’s adventurous spirit, delivering 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD configuration were standard across all trims, complemented by a terrain management system that offered up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, ensuring adaptability to nearly any driving condition.

During media testing at the Holly Oaks ORV Park, the Bronco Sport’s off-road prowess shone through. Its short wheelbase and four-wheel independent suspension, along with a generous ground clearance that varied between 7.8 to 8.8 inches, allowed for effortless navigation through challenging terrain. On-road driving was equally competent, albeit the 1.5-liter engine felt strained under heavy acceleration compared to the more robust 2.0-liter variant.

For the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, the singular engine option was a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 184 horsepower at 4,360 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, this setup pushed power to the front wheels, with the option for 4Motion AWD. Though generally adequate, the engine exhibited noticeable turbo lag during acceleration, leading to a perception of lethargy especially given the vehicle’s nearly 4,000-pound curb weight.

Fuel economy wasn’t a strong suit for the Tiguan either. The EPA rated it at 25 mpg combined for FWD models and 24 mpg for AWD, with testing showing an even lower 22.6 mpg for AWD. Despite these drawbacks, the Tiguan's driving experience remained largely pleasant for daily use. Its responsive steering and compliance over most road conditions made it a solid urban companion, though it tended to falter over sharper imperfections such as speed bumps and railroad tracks.

The Bronco Sport was not just about off-road thrills; it also provided practical features suited for the adventurous user. The cargo area was designed to fit two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes standing up, and Ford’s extensive catalog of over 100 accessories facilitated various outdoor activities. The vehicle's roof could carry up to 150 pounds and the optional cargo management package introduced a slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and accessible liftgate floodlamps, turning the Bronco Sport into a versatile mobile base for outdoor ventures. The Bronco Sport offered cargo space that prioritized functionality, although its total cargo volume figures were not specified in the summary content.

In contrast, the Tiguan excelled in passenger comfort and interior space. Its roomy second row, capable of comfortably accommodating adult passengers with generous leg and foot space, added a layer of family-friendly functionality. The third-row seat, while not standard, allowed for greater passenger flexibility albeit primarily for children. The Tiguan's cargo volume ranged between 33 and 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, depending on the presence of the third-row seat, and could expand to a maximum capacity between 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet, thereby offering substantial storage for daily errands or longer trips.

Ford integrated a host of advanced tech features into the Bronco Sport, underscored by an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen armed with the SYNC 3 system. Alongside compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the system supported Ford+Alexa and SiriusXM. The Bronco Sport also provided added connectivity with FordConnect 4G LTE WiFi hotspot functionality. Audiophiles could opt for a Bang & Olufsen sound system, whereas off-roaders would appreciate features like the available 360-degree camera. The Bronco Sport’s terrain management system, complete with G.O.A.T. modes, tailored the vehicle’s performance across various conditions.

Meanwhile, the Tiguan adopted Volkswagen's MIB3 infotainment system from the SE trim onwards, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with faster processing times and an expanded suite of services. This included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi connectivity, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Car-Net connected services offered additional convenience features like remote engine starting and Family Guardian notifications. Nevertheless, the system's user interface quirks and underwhelming standard six-speaker sound system fell short of expectations, although the available Fender audio system in the SEL Premium R-Line trim presented a notable upgrade.

Both vehicles earned strong safety credentials courtesy of their respective driver assistance suites. The Bronco Sport featured Ford Co-Pilot360, which included pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and auto high beams. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, evasive steering assist, and a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system. Despite the comprehensive array of features, neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had released crash ratings for the Bronco Sport.

The Tiguan came standard with Volkswagen’s IQ Drive system, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Starting from the SE trim, additional features such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist were incorporated. The SEL Premium R-Line further enhanced safety with automatic high beams and a surround-view camera system. The IIHS awarded the Tiguan a “Top Safety Pick” rating for the SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims, owing to their superior LED headlights. As of the time of writing, NHTSA had yet to complete its crash-test results for the Tiguan.