2021 Volkswagen Tiguan vs Honda CR-V

2021 VW Tiguan vs 2021 CR-V: Passenger Space

The 2021 VW Tiguan and the Honda CR-V both have 2-row, 5-passenger configurations. If you’re searching for a true people mover, the VW Tiguan 3-row version seats up to seven people in an incredibly spacious cabin.

Compare the 2-row versions of the VW Tiguan and the CR-V and you’ll find them similarly roomy, with roughly 40 inches of front headroom and 39 inches of second-row headroom in each. All but the tallest riders will be able to keep good posture and won’t be scraping their heads against the roof of the car.

Performance Specs

Under the hood, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan and the 2021 CR-V have a lot of similarities. They both use an I-4 engine in their base trims to produce up to 190 horsepower. However, the VW Tiguan gets much more torque than the CR-V—221 lb-ft vs. 179 lb-ft—so it’ll transfer power to the wheels faster when you’re accelerating from a stop or making your way up steep inclines.

You can choose from a host of drive modes in either vehicle to add a little custom flavor to your ride. Only the VW Tiguan has Snow mode to handle the roads during those Avon, Indianapolis, and Plainfield, IN, winters and Off-Road mode for extra traction on uneven and challenging surfaces.

Related Post: VW Tiguan Gas Mileage

VW Tiguan vs CR-V: Technology

It’s important to stay connected while you’re on the go—and the VW Tiguan and the Honda CR-V deliver. Each comes standard with Bluetooth® wireless technology, so you can make calls while keeping your hands on the wheel and eyes focused on the road. Both also boast multi-speaker audio systems: the VW Tiguan has six speakers and the CR-V has four.

Overall, though, you’ll get more standard features on the VW Tiguan. Its infotainment interface is a 6.5-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration for intuitive, easy smartphone connectivity. These features are available on the CR-V; however, you’ll have to upgrade from the base 5-inch non-touch audio display.

Is the VW Tiguan or the Honda CR-V Safer?

Both cars have a range of safety features—from their standard rearview cameras to their Blind Spot Monitoring systems. With a lot of pedestrians walking around and crossing streets, both vehicles also have an available system that can help you brake quickly when it detects a person in front of your path while driving around the city.

The Volkswagen Tiguan, though, has a few features that aren’t found in the Honda CR-V and are especially convenient when navigating downtown.

One of these features is the available Park Distance Control. This system has sensors that can help you get in and out of parking spots along the street. If you start getting too close to an object while parking, it can also apply brake pressure with the system’s Maneuver Braking technology.

2021 VW Tiguan vs 2021 CR-V: Convenience

The convenience of the 2021 VW Tiguan doesn’t stop with its driver-assistive features. While both vehicles have applications you can download on your smartphone to control various systems remotely and set up notifications about your vehicle, available Volkswagen Car-Net® offers a few extra features.

With this technology, you can quickly find parking. If you’re heading into the city to meet up with friends for a bite to eat or going to a concert with your significant other, you can ease your mind and find parking before you start driving.

Powered by Parkopedia®, you can search among the open parking spaces near your destination and then display directions to that specific location on the available navigation system in the VW Tiguan. This way, you spend less time driving around looking for parking and won’t be late!

A Premium Exterior Design

At first look, each of these SUVs has a clean and modern appeal. As you look more closely at each of their exterior designs, though, you’ll notice a few differences.

The taillights of the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan have long-lasting LED bulbs for safer, illuminous driving. The side mirrors also come standard with a heated feature on the VW Tiguan. This will give you greater visibility when it comes time to change lanes, even when there’s inclement weather.

This Volkswagen Tiguan also offers more versatility when it comes to carrying cargo. You can load your bike or other larger gear on the hood of the vehicle, with the standard roof rails. Only some of these features are found with the 2021 CR-V and require an upgrade to a higher trim level.

You can also get the unique design that comes with the SE R-Line VW Tiguan. The exterior of this trim level features a bold style, with 20-inch black machined alloy wheels as well as R-Line® bumpers, grille, side sills, and badging. It also features black roof rails, side trim, grille center strip, and mirror caps. The Honda CR-V doesn’t offer as many different design options as the Volkswagen Tiguan.