2025 Volkswagen Tiguan vs. the Competition

Toyota launched the car-based RAV4 in 1994, establishing the compact crossover segment. Today, the RAV4 is well into its fifth design generation and is built on a variant of the Camry platform. It is the best-selling model in its category and Toyota’s top-selling model overall. This comparison only includes the non-electrified RAV4 models equipped with a 2.5-liter inline-4 engine.

• The FWD Tiguan provides passengers with the flexibility of a third row of seating, accommodating a total of seven. The RAV4 does not offer this option.
• The Tiguan and RAV4 trade powertrain advantages. The RAV4 leads in horsepower (184 vs. 203) but falls very behind in torque (221 vs. 184 lb-ft). The Tiguan’s peak torque is also attained at a very accessible 1,600 rpm, compared to 5,000 for the RAV4.
• The Tiguan has more overall interior volume (138.7 vs. 136.4 cubic feet), leading to more passenger volume than the RAV4 (101.1 vs. 98.9 cubic feet).
• The Tiguan has almost an inch more rear legroom than the RAV4 (38.7 vs. 37.8 inches).
• Tall drivers or front passengers will have more headroom in the Tiguan (39.6 vs 37.7 inches).
• At 37.6 cubic feet, the AWD Tiguan (without a third-row seat) has the same cargo space as the RAV4, with the second row of seats in place.
• The Tiguan offers the added flexibility of a 40/20/40 folding rear seat back, unlike the conventional 60/40 split found in the RAV4. This setup allows two passengers to sit in the second row while longer, thinner items extend through the middle of the cargo area.
• With the second-row seatbacks lowered, the Tiguan has more maximum cargo space than the RAV4 (73.4 vs. 69.8 cubic feet).

The Honda CR-V entered the U.S. market in February 1997. Now, in its sixth design generation, it is positioned between the HR-V and the Passport in terms of size and pricing. The CR-V is currently Honda’s best-selling vehicle. The conventional drivetrain features a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This comparison focuses solely on the CR-V’s conventional drivetrain.

• The FWD Tiguan offers the flexibility of a third row of seating for a total seating capacity of seven. However, you must step up to the Honda Pilot to get a third-row seat in the Honda model lineup.
• The Tiguan and CR-V trade powertrain advantages. The CR-V has a slight lead in horsepower (184 vs. 190), but the Tiguan has significantly greater peak torque (221 vs. 179 lb-ft).
• The Tiguan runs on regular (87-octane) gas, while Honda recommends premium fuel (91-octane) for the CR-V.
• The CR-V’s engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission, while the Tiguan uses a more conventional 8-speed automatic.
• There is more overall passenger volume in the Tiguan (101.1 vs. 106.0 cubic feet).
• Important when seating three across, the Tiguan provides about an inch more rear hip room (53.7 vs. 52.6 inches).
• The Tiguan offers the added flexibility of a 40/20/40 folding rear seat back, unlike the conventional 60/40 split found in the CR-V. This setup allows two passengers to sit in the second row while longer, thinner items extend through the middle of the cargo area.
• The standard Tiguan provides the convenience of one-touch activation for all four windows, while the CR-V limits this to just the front windows.
• The convenience of a dimming rearview mirror and heated side mirrors are standard on the base Tiguan but require a trim upgrade for the CR-V.

The Hyundai Tucson was introduced in 2004 as a compact alternative to the Santa Fe, which was becoming a mid-size vehicle. It shares all of its mechanical components with the Kia Sportage, though they do not share any styling features. The current model marks the fourth generation of the Tucson, which first debuted in the 2022 model year. It is built on a smaller version of the platform that supports the Santa Fe. This comparison only involves the non-hybrid model, which is equipped with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-4 engine.

• The FWD Tiguan offers the flexibility of a third row of seating for a total seating capacity of seven. The Tucson does not offer a third-row seat.
• The Tiguan and Tucson trade powertrain advantages. The Tucson has a nominal lead in horsepower (184 vs. 187), but the Tiguan has significantly greater peak torque (221 vs. 178 lb-ft).
• Tiguan’s higher peak torque is attained at a very accessible 1,600 rpm on the Tiguan compared to 4,000 for the Tucson.
• The Tiguan’s 40/20/40 folding rear seat offers more flexibility than the Tucson’s simpler 60/40 split. This design accommodates two passengers in the second row while allowing long, narrow items to extend through the center from the cargo area.
• All Tiguan models feature heated front seats, which is not a standard feature in the Tucson.
• The Tiguan’s standard heated windshield washer jets are a feature you will not find on the Tucson.

The Bronco Sport launched at the same time as Ford’s return of the off-road-focused Bronco SUV. Though it shares the Bronco’s squared-off exterior, the Bronco Sport is very much a crossover and more closely related to the Ford Escape and Ford Maverick, with which it shares a platform. The Bronco Sport has a base 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 for upper trim levels. As a nod to its role as Ford’s more off-road-capable compact crossover, all Bronco Sports come standard with all-wheel drive.

• The FWD Tiguan offers the flexibility of a third row of seating for a total seating capacity of seven. The Bronco Sport does not offer a third-row seat.
• The Tiguan outpowers the Bronco Sport’s 1.5-liter engine in both horsepower (184 vs. 181) and peak torque (221 lb-ft vs. 190).
• Tiguan’s higher peak torque is attained at a very accessible 1,600 rpm on the Tiguan compared to 3,000 for the Bronco Sport.
• The Tiguan has more cargo space with the second-row seats down than the Bronco Sport (37.6 inches vs. 32.5 inches).
• The Tiguan’s maximum cargo space (second-row seatbacks down) is 73.4 cubic feet, compared to 65.2 cubic feet in the Bronco Sport.
• Despite its off-road imagery, the Bronco Sport’s ground clearance is only 0.2 inches higher than that of the Tiguan (7.6 inches vs. 7.8 inches).
• Rear passengers will enjoy almost two inches more legroom in the Tiguan than the Bronco Sport (38.7 vs. 36.9 inches). Tiguan also has more minor advantages in rear hip and shoulder room.
• The Tiguan’s 40/20/40 folding rear seat offers more flexibility than the Bronco Sport’s simpler 60/40 split. This design accommodates two passengers in the second row while allowing long, narrow items to extend through the center from the cargo area.
• All Tiguan models feature heated front seats, which is not a standard feature on the Bronco Sport.
• The Tiguan’s standard heated windshield washer jets are a feature you will not find on the Bronco Sport.